Rakuten has a new page for ‘Rakuten+’, this is a paid membership program that offers 10% cash back (at minimum) on select merchants all of the time. I hadn’t seen this before but looks like it’s been available for at least a year, maybe two?
Program Basics
- $100 annual fee, not waived first year
- $50 bonus when you join and spend $250+ within 90 days at qualifying merchants
- Waitlist to join currently
- Full list of stores: 3.1 Phillip Lim, A.L.C., Alice+Olivia, AllSaints, ATM Collection, Avocado Green Mattress, Bogner, Bulova, Bergdorf Goodman, Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc., Cos Stores, Costa Del Mar, Derek Lam, Diesel, Eberjey, Eric Javits Operations LLC, FARM Rio, Four Seasons at Home, Frances Valentine, Hotels.com, Kate Spade & Company, L’Agence, Lagos Inc., LAMPS PLUS, Mansur Gavriel, Merlette, Michael Kors (USA), Inc., Michael Kors Outlet, Moschino, Mytheresa GmbH, Neiman Marcus, Persol, rag & bone, Ramy Brook, SMCP – Maje, SMCP – Sandro Paris, Tessabit, TUMI, Inc., V Opco, LLC, Viator, Zadig et Voltaire, Sephora
How Do Rates Compare?
I chose 5 merchants to compare:
Our Verdict
Honestly the rates don’t look great when compared to the frequent highs at other portals. I guess if you’re purchasing in volume from any of the listed merchants and can’t wait between purchases it might be helpful. Also sometimes brands will increase cash back rates but decrease sales etc so this might avoid that. Think the use cases are fairly minor though.
