The Rakuten American Express® Card
The The Rakuten American Express® Card from First Electronic Bank earns up to 2% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee. New applicants may see: Get a $25 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days on your Rakuten Card. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 2%
- Annual fee
- $0
Madeen may earn compensation from some apply links. Affiliate disclosure
Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.
What does the The Rakuten American Express Card earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 2% effective value (2% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 29% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Dining is the strongest category at 2% effective value (2% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 29% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2% back | 2% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2% back | 2% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 1% back | 1% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 1% back | 1% |
| Other General everyday spend | 1% back | 1% |
Madeen values cash back at about 1 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the The Rakuten American Express Card reward caps and conditions?
The The Rakuten American Express Card has 2 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Earn 2% at restaurants
- Earn 2% on groceries
Who should get the The Rakuten American Express Card?
The The Rakuten American Express Card fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
The Rakuten American Express Card fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 29% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Compare it against simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Best for dining-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 2% effective (2% back).
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
- Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
Cons
- Compare simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Does the The Rakuten American Express Card have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?
The The Rakuten American Express Card has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of None. New applicants may see: Get a $25 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days on your Rakuten Card. Confirm current issuer terms before applying.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Signup bonus
- Get a $25 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days on your Rakuten Card
What benefits come with the The Rakuten American Express Card?
The The Rakuten American Express Card includes Amex Experiences, Extended Warranty, Retail Protection in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Amex Experiences
With The Rakuten American Express® Card, you’ll enjoy all that Amex has to offer across music, theater, sports, and more.
- Extended Warranty
Coverage that doubles the original manufacturer's warranty up to 12M.
- Retail Protection
Coverage on eligible items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
Common questions about the The Rakuten American Express Card
Does the The Rakuten American Express Card have an annual fee?
The The Rakuten American Express Card carries an annual fee of $0 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
What category earns the most with the The Rakuten American Express Card?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the The Rakuten American Express Card at about 2% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Does the The Rakuten American Express Card charge foreign transaction fees?
The The Rakuten American Express Card does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
What is the The Rakuten American Express Card welcome bonus?
The The Rakuten American Express Card welcome offer in our snapshot: Get a $25 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days on your Rakuten Card. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.
What credit score do you need for the The Rakuten American Express Card?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good to Excellent for the The Rakuten American Express Card. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How do you redeem rewards on the The Rakuten American Express Card?
Rewards on the The Rakuten American Express Card post as cash back. Redemption value depends on how you use cash back (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How does the The Rakuten American Express Card compare to similar cards?
Compare the The Rakuten American Express Card against Brooks Brothers World Mastercard (4% on Dining, $0 fee); Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite (3.8% on Dining, $499 fee); Bilt Obsidian Card (3% on Dining, $95 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
The Rakuten American Express Card This card | Dining | 2% | $0 |
First Electronic Bank | Dining | 4% | $0 |
First Electronic Bank | Dining | 3.8% | $499 |
First Electronic Bank | Dining | 3% | $95 |
First Electronic Bank | Dining | 3% | $0 |
Related Madeen guides
Related cards
Issuer links
Madeen may earn compensation from some apply links. Compensation may affect which offers are available, but it does not control recommendations for cards you have already added to your wallet. Affiliate disclosure
See how this card ranks in your wallet
Madeen compares the cards you already carry for dining, groceries, gas, travel, and everyday purchases — free, no bank login required.