Planning a trip to Japan and want a straightforward way to pay in yen while collecting airline miles?
The Rakuten Credit Card for travel is one of Japan’s most accessible credit cards for residents, with strong point-earning and simple airline conversions.
Below you’ll find the essentials: eligibility, application steps, key rates, how to turn Rakuten Points into ANA or JAL miles, and official contact details.
How to Apply for the Rakuten Credit Card for Travel
Rakuten provides English guidance for international residents in Japan, though the application itself is typically in Japanese.
If you are new to Japan, consider preparing a Japanese mobile number and confirming your address registration before you apply.
Rakuten Card is issued in Japan for residents. You will need a Japanese address and a Japanese phone number when applying.
- Prepare documents and your Rakuten ID. Create or sign in to your Rakuten ID before applying. Prepare a valid ID, your Japanese address, and your Japanese phone number.
- Start the online application. Open the Rakuten Card application page (Japanese UI). Enter your personal data (name, birth date), contact details (phone, email), residential address, and employment/income information used for credit screening.
- Register your bank account (recommended). Add your bank details during the application so monthly bills can be withdrawn automatically. This reduces paperwork and avoids delays or missed payments.
- Submit and complete delivery/ID check. After approval, the card is shipped to your address. At delivery, the courier or subsequent process will confirm your identity with your chosen ID. If the address differs from the address on your ID, provide the additional address documents noted above.
Rates and Costs You Should Know
The standard revolving (“revo”) fee/APR is 15.00% for Rakuten Premium/Black and 17.64% for the standard Rakuten Card / Rakuten PINK Card.
These rates apply if you choose to revolve a balance instead of paying your statement in full.
The cashing (cash advance) annual percentage rate is 18.0%, typically calculated on a per-day basis from borrowing to repayment.
Late payment fees and certain administrative fees can apply depending on your repayment method and account status.
How to Earn Flight Points: Rakuten Points → ANA or JAL Miles
You can use the Rakuten Credit Card for travel via flight points.
Rakuten Points to ANA miles
The standard conversion rate is 2 Rakuten Points = 1 ANA mile (50%).
There is a monthly cap of 20,000 points you can convert to ANA miles, which yields up to 10,000 miles per month.
Minimum exchange amounts and per-transaction limits can apply. Limited-time points and certain partner-earned points are usually not eligible for conversion.
Rakuten Points to JAL miles
Rakuten Points can also be exchanged for JAL miles at 2 Rakuten Points = 1 JAL mile.
The typical monthly cap is 20,000 points when converting in the points→miles direction.
JAL also supports reverse conversions (miles→points) under different, tiered rates, which are useful for frequent JAL members in specific scenarios.
Earning strategy for travelers
Use your Rakuten Card for day-to-day purchases in Japan—transport, convenience stores, pharmacies, dining—to accumulate points steadily.
Then convert to ANA or JAL well ahead of when you plan to redeem, because processing can take several days.
Focus on building a single airline balance that matches your intended routes and award seat availability. Track your limited-time points.
Stacking opportunities
If you shop on Rakuten Ichiba (Rakuten’s marketplace) or use eligible Rakuten services, you can earn bonus points through SPU (Super Point Up) programs and targeted campaigns.
These campaigns change often; enroll when available and verify whether the resulting points are eligible for airline conversion.
Practical Tips to Maximize Value
Pay in full when possible. Aim to pay the statement in full and avoid revo unless you have a clear reason.
Convert points early and in batches. Initiate exchanges at least a week or two before you need the miles for booking.
Limited-time promotional points and some partner-sourced points typically cannot be transferred to ANA/JAL. Check your point breakdown before.
Match the card to your airline plan. If you mostly fly Star Alliance partners in and out of Japan, funnel to ANA. If oneworld routes fit better, convert to JAL.
Cardholder Support: Phone and Address
Customer Call Center (Japan): 0570-66-6910.
Alternate (when 0570 isn’t available): 092-474-6287 (follow voice prompts).
From overseas (general): +81-92-474-6287.
Head office address: Rakuten Crimson House, 1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0094, Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists apply before arriving in Japan?
- Generally, no. Rakuten Card is geared to residents with a Japanese address and phone number. If you are visiting short-term, consider a travel-friendly card from your home country with low foreign transaction fees, or use a debit card with competitive FX.
Is there a foreign transaction fee?
- Rakuten passes transactions in foreign currencies through card network rates plus a fee that can vary by product and timing. If your spending will be mostly domestic in Japan, you will transact in yen and avoid FX fees altogether.
How long does approval take?
- Screening can be quick for straightforward profiles, but delivery and identity verification still add time. Prepare all documents, register your bank, and make sure your address information matches to reduce friction.
What if my address changes soon after applying?
- Update your profile and, if required, submit supporting documents so statements and notices arrive at the correct place. Mismatched addresses can delay deliveries and cause returned mail.
Conclusion
Using the Rakuten Credit Card for travel is a practical choice for residents in Japan who want a single card to handle daily purchases.
The airline conversion rules are clear—2 points = 1 mile.
To get the best value, focus on earning regular Rakuten Points, convert early to your preferred airline, and avoid revolving balances to keep costs down.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and education only. Rates, eligibility rules, phone numbers, caps, and exchange policies change over time. Always verify the latest details on Rakuten Card’s official pages and on ANA Mileage Club and JAL Mileage Bank before you apply or convert points. Nothing here constitutes financial advice; consider your circumstances and read your cardmember agreement carefully.
