Rakuten Cash Back
The Rakuten Cash Back from Synchrony Bank earns up to 1% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 1%
- Annual fee
- $0
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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 Rakuten Cash Back earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 1% effective value (1% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 2% 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 1% effective value (1% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 2% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 1% back | 1% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 1% back | 1% |
| 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.
Who should get the Rakuten Cash Back?
The Rakuten Cash Back fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 1% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 1% back. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Rakuten Cash Back fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 1% back. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 2% 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 1% back.
Mostly a flat base earn card without strong category bonuses.
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 1% effective (1% back).
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
Cons
- Compare simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Does the Rakuten Cash Back have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?
The Rakuten Cash Back has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of None. Issuer pages control fees and offers; Madeen labels this as catalog analysis, not issuer-confirmed terms. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
What benefits come with the Rakuten Cash Back?
The Rakuten Cash Back includes Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Rental Insurance 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.
- Extended Warranty
Up to 1 additional year on original manufacturer's warranty of 3 years or less.
- Purchase Protection
Up to $10,000 per eligible purchase within 90 days of the purchase date. Maximum of $50,000 per year, per account.
- Rental Insurance
Coverage for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle. Must decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the counter. Coverage is secondary to personal insurance.
- Return Protection
Up to $250 per eligible purchase within 90 days of the purchase date.
Common questions about the Rakuten Cash Back
Does the Rakuten Cash Back have an annual fee?
The Rakuten Cash Back 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 Rakuten Cash Back?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Rakuten Cash Back at about 1% 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 Rakuten Cash Back charge foreign transaction fees?
The Rakuten Cash Back 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 credit score do you need for the Rakuten Cash Back?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good for the Rakuten Cash Back. 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 Rakuten Cash Back?
Rewards on the Rakuten Cash Back 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 do I maximize rewards on the Rakuten Cash Back?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Rakuten Cash Back at about 1% 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.
How does the Rakuten Cash Back compare to similar cards?
Compare the Rakuten Cash Back against Verizon Visa (4% on Dining, $0 fee); PayPal Extras Mastercard (3% on Dining, $0 fee); Venmo (3% on Dining, $0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Rakuten Cash Back This card | Dining | 1% | $0 |
Synchrony Bank | Dining | 4% | $0 |
Synchrony Bank | Dining | 3% | $0 |
Synchrony Bank | Dining | 3% | $0 |
Synchrony Bank | Dining | 2.8% | $99 |
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