MoneyInJapan

Rakuten Gold Card 楽天ゴールドカード

Low-cost ecosystem gold card · Rakuten Card · Credit cards

English support: Partial

A ¥2,200 gold Rakuten card in an awkward middle tier: low fee and 1% base, but limited lounge and ecosystem advantages over the free Rakuten Card.

Highlights

  • 1% base Rakuten Points
  • Limited domestic-lounge usage
  • Low ¥2,200 fee
Things to consider
  • Advantages over the free card are narrow
  • Often the free Rakuten Card is more efficient

Fees: ¥2,200 annual fee; benefits over the free card are limited.

Card facts

Network
Visa, Mastercard or JCB.
Annual fee
¥2,200 including tax for the primary card.
Fee waiver
No standing annual fee waiver.
Rewards
Earns Rakuten Points.
Base earning
Generally 1 point per ¥100 of eligible use; Rakuten-market multipliers are conditional and separate.
Bonus conditions
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Point expiry
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Redemption
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Foreign transaction fee
Foreign-currency use incurs the designated overseas handling charge (around 3.63% on Rakuten cards); verify the current rate.
Insurance
Overseas travel accident insurance is subject to activation, limits and exclusions in the policy guide.
Purchase protection
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Airport lounge
A limited number of domestic airport lounge visits are offered under current terms.
Transit
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Digital wallets
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Family cards
Family cards are available under the issuer fee and eligibility conditions.
ETC card
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Stated eligibility
Applicants must satisfy the issuer-stated age, income/status and other conditions; issuance and limits remain subject to screening. No approval-likelihood claim is made.
Application
Apply through the issuer channel. The issuer, not this site, decides issuance and the credit limit.
Payment settings
One-time, installment, bonus and revolving choices have different availability, fees and conditions; verify the selected setting.
Revolving payment
Revolving payment incurs the issuer-disclosed fee. Confirm automatic-revolving enrollment and any later-payment conversion before and after applying.
Cash advance
Not confirmed in reviewed official material (not the same as “no”)
Limitations
Terms, rates, benefits, insurance and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material before applying; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.

Sources