Japan point-ecosystem credit cards compared
Compare where points accrue and can be used, while separating baseline earning rules from merchant and campaign bonuses.
For: People choosing among Rakuten, d POINT, PayPay and Ponta ecosystems. · Verified: 2026-07-30
Official-fact comparison
| Criterion | Rakuten Card | d Card | PayPay Card | au PAY Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points program | Earns Rakuten Points. | Earns d POINT. | Earns PayPay Points. | Earns Ponta Points. |
| Base earning rule | Generally 1 point per ¥100 of eligible card use; exclusions and different rates apply. | d POINT accrues on eligible shopping; excluded transactions and merchant-specific treatment apply. | PayPay Points accrue on eligible card purchases; exclusions and calculation rules apply. | Ponta Points accrue on eligible card use; exclusions and calculation rules apply. |
| Conditional bonuses | Rakuten-marketplace and campaign bonuses have separate conditions and must not be treated as the base rate. | d Card special merchants and campaigns have separate award conditions and are not the base earning rule. | PayPay Step and campaigns have separate counting, registration, period, and payment-method conditions. | Partner-store, service-linkage, and campaign bonuses have separate conditions and are not evergreen base earning. |
| Point expiry | Regular points expire one year after the last point was earned; earning a regular point extends the date. Limited-time points follow their stated date. | Validity follows current d POINT Club rules and point type. | PayPay Points are governed by current PayPay terms; limited/campaign awards may have separate conditions. | Point validity follows current Ponta program terms and activity treatment. |
| Using points | May be used in eligible Rakuten services and participating point merchants; conditions vary by use. | Use options include eligible d POINT merchants and services; conditions vary. | Can be used in eligible PayPay payments and services under current terms; cash withdrawal is not implied. | Ponta Points may be used at eligible merchants and services; conversion conditions vary. |
Methodology and limitations
We compare only current, official-issuer facts stored in each card record. Campaign awards are excluded from base rewards, and an unverified feature is shown as not confirmed rather than inferred.
This is a feature comparison, not a ranking of approval likelihood. Issuers make their own screening decisions. Fees, rewards and terms can change, so check the linked official sources before applying.
Safety check before applying
Does “first card” mean easier approval?
No. Inclusion is based on features and issuer-stated eligibility; we do not assess approval likelihood.
Are campaign rewards included in the base reward?
No. Awards with a period, enrollment or spending condition are kept separate from enduring terms.