Rakuten Card Sign-Up Guide
Get Extra Points via Referral Link!
📌 Key Takeaways
- This is a limited-time bonus period! New sign-up + 1 purchase = 10,000 points (normally only 5,000)
- Apply through a referral link for an extra 1,000 points — up to 11,000 points total
- Rakuten Card has zero annual fee, 1% base cashback, and up to SPU +6x at Rakuten Ichiba
- Sign up for Rakuten Mobile at the same time for an additional 20,000 points — Card + Mobile = up to 31,000 points total
- Lottery chance for a ¥30,000 Rakuten Travel hotel coupon (requires ¥200,000+ spending)
Campaign Overview
Rakuten Card is one of the most popular credit cards in Japan — no annual fee, 1% cashback on all purchases, and even higher returns when shopping at Rakuten Ichiba through the SPU (Super Point Up) program. It’s the essential card for anyone looking to maximize point activities (ポイ活) in Japan.
Right now, there’s a major points boost campaign: the new member bonus has jumped from the usual 5,000 points to 10,000 points. Combined with the referral bonus of 1,000 points, you can earn up to 11,000 points — an excellent time to apply.
Applying through a referral link gets you an extra 1,000 points on top of the standard new member bonus. If you apply directly on the official site without a referral link, you won’t receive this bonus.
Points Breakdown & Conditions
| Bonus Type | Points | Point Type | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-Up Bonus | 2,000 | Regular Points | First login to Rakuten e-NAVI |
| Card Usage Bonus | 8,000 | 6,000 Limited + 2,000 Regular | Use card 1+ times + set up auto bank debit |
| Referral Bonus | 1,000 | Limited-Time Points | Apply within 10 days of clicking referral link |
| Total | 11,000 | Only achievable through referral link application | |
The 6,000 points from the usage bonus and 1,000 referral points are “limited-time points” (期間限定ポイント) that expire at the end of the month following their issuance. Use them at Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Pay, etc.
How to Apply via Referral Link
Click the referral link below and log in to your Rakuten account
After clicking the link, you’ll be directed to the Rakuten login page. Log in and confirm that the referral bonus information is displayed. If you don’t have a Rakuten account yet, create one for free first.
Complete your Rakuten Card application within 10 days
Choose your card type (Rakuten Card / Rakuten PINK Card) and international brand (Visa/Mastercard/JCB/AMEX), fill in your personal information, and submit. The card typically arrives within about 1 week after approval.
After receiving your card, register on Rakuten e-NAVI → Get 2,000 sign-up points
Log in to Rakuten e-NAVI for the first time after receiving your card. The 2,000 points will be credited about 2 days later. Must be completed within 7 months of your contract date.
Make at least 1 purchase + set up bank debit → Get 8,000 usage points
Use your card at least once (even ¥1 counts) by the end of the month following your application date. Also set up automatic bank debit by the 25th of the second month after application.
🎯 Apply through referral link for an extra 1,000 points!
When Will Points Be Credited?
Credited approximately 2 days after completing first registration on Rakuten e-NAVI.
Credited around the end of the month following completion of both first card use and bank debit setup. The 6,000 and 2,000 portions may arrive on different dates.
Credited as early as 3 days after bank debit setup is complete, up to around the end of the following month.
Card Types & Brand Selection
Rakuten Card
The standard card with 1% cashback. Choose from Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or AMEX.
Rakuten PINK Card
Same features as the standard card, with optional paid women’s benefit services (insurance discounts, etc.).
Rakuten Gold Card
Domestic airport lounge access (2x/year). Credit limit up to ¥2,000,000.
Rakuten Premium Card
Comes with Priority Pass. Free access to domestic and international airport lounges (5x/year). Up to ¥3,000,000 limit.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
| Brand | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | Most people (recommended) | Contactless payment support, widest global acceptance |
| Mastercard | Frequent European travelers | Contactless payment support, accepted at Costco |
| JCB | Mostly domestic use | Disney-themed designs available, strong domestic perks |
| AMEX | AMEX brand enthusiasts | Slightly lower international coverage in some regions |
You can simultaneously apply for a second Rakuten Card with a different brand (also free). For example, Visa + JCB gives you coverage at virtually any merchant in Japan and abroad.
Additional Ongoing Campaigns
🔥 Rakuten Card + Rakuten Mobile Together → Extra 20,000 Points
One of the biggest highlights of this campaign: apply for Rakuten Mobile at the same time as your Rakuten Card, and you’ll get an additional 20,000 points! Combined with the 11,000 points from the card itself, that’s up to 31,000 points total.
📱 Rakuten Mobile Simultaneous Sign-Up Campaign
Available to Rakuten Card holders (including new applicants from this campaign) signing up for “Rakuten Saikyo Plan” or “Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT” for the first time.
📅 Must activate plan + make a 10-second Rakuten Link call by April 30
💰 Points paid over 5 months (4,000 pts/month), each valid for 3 months from issuance
How to Apply
After submitting your Rakuten Card application, the page automatically redirects to the Rakuten Mobile sign-up page — you can apply right away. If you already have a Rakuten Card, you can use the referral link below to apply for Rakuten Mobile separately.
Whether you’re applying simultaneously or separately, we recommend clicking the referral link below and logging into your Rakuten account first before submitting your application. This ensures the referral is properly recorded and you receive the maximum points.
Apply Together with Card
Auto-redirect after card application
Using coupon code
Apply Separately via Referral
For existing card holders
or those who prefer to apply later
・Don’t have a Rakuten Card yet → We highly recommend the “Card + Mobile simultaneous” route for the maximum 20,000 points
・Already a Rakuten Card holder or prefer to apply separately → Use the referral link below to apply for Rakuten Mobile independently. MNP transfer gets up to 14,000 points
📱 Already have a Rakuten Card? Apply for Rakuten Mobile via referral
Rakuten Travel Hotel Coupon Lottery
Apply for a Rakuten Card during the campaign period and spend ¥200,000+ to enter a lottery for a ¥30,000 Rakuten Travel domestic hotel coupon (1,000 winners). Also signing up for Rakuten Mobile doubles your winning chance.
Auto-Revolving Payment Registration Bonus
Registering for “Auto Revolving Payment” during application can earn up to 5,000 additional points. However, revolving payments incur interest charges — check our Rakuten Card Revolving Payment Campaign Guide before opting in.
Important Notes
・You’ve previously had a Rakuten Card (including cancelled cards)
・You apply more than 10 days after clicking the referral link
・Bank debit setup is not completed by the deadline
・You’re applying for a family card (not counted as new enrollment)
・You live outside Japan or are under 18 years old
Must be completed by the 25th of the second month after your application date. We recommend choosing online banking for instant setup during the application process. Postal setup takes much longer.
You must make at least 1 purchase (¥1 or more) by the end of the month following your application date. Note that transaction data from merchants may take time to reach Rakuten, so use your card early.
Frequently Asked Questions
🎯 Limited-time bonus! Get up to 11,000 points via referral link