The biggest appeal of Rakuten Mobile is, without a doubt, its affordable rates and free calling services.

With the family discount, you can enjoy unlimited data for just 2,880 yen per month (3,168 yen including tax). Furthermore, by using the dedicated “Rakuten Link” app, domestic calls are completely free.

However, there is another major benefit that is often overlooked: how easy it is to earn Rakuten Points.

Simply by signing up for Rakuten Mobile, your point earning rate on Rakuten Ichiba (the online marketplace) increases. In this article, as an actual Rakuten Mobile user, I will break down the tips for efficient point accumulation, share my own earnings records, and explain the smartest ways to spend your points.

Table of Contents

▮Earning Points: Rakuten Mobile Boosts Your SPU by +4x

The biggest point-related benefit of using Rakuten Mobile is the SPU (Super Point Up Program).
Just by having a Rakuten Mobile contract, your point return rate for shopping on Rakuten Ichiba increases by +4x.

For example, a 1,000 yen purchase would normally earn you 10 points, but as a Rakuten Mobile subscriber, you would earn 50 points. A single contract makes that much of a difference.

Also, Rakuten Ichiba always has various campaigns running. “Forgetting to enter” these campaigns means losing out on points, so make it a habit to check the campaign page before you shop.

▮My Actual Point Earnings

[Disclosure: My Rakuten Point Earning Records]
I’d like to share my actual point earnings from using both Rakuten Mobile and a Rakuten Card.

▼ Recent Point Earning Example

• Date Earned: April 15th
• Source: SPU and various campaigns
• Amount Earned: 4,425 Limited-Time Points

Note: Many points earned through campaigns are “Limited-Time Points.” They expire automatically after a certain period, so the golden rule is to use them before they expire.

▮Rakuten Points Can Be Earned and Used Offline, Too

Think Rakuten Points can only be earned on Rakuten Ichiba? Think again.
You can earn and use them at many brick-and-mortar stores, including convenience stores, supermarkets, drugstores, and restaurants.

▼ Major Stores Where You Can Earn Points (Examples)

• Convenience Stores: FamilyMart
• Restaurants: Mister Donut, Baskin Robbins (31 Ice Cream)

Available stores vary by region. Please check the full list on the official website.
[Stores where you can use the Rakuten Point Card: https://pointcard.rakuten.co.jp/partner/]

▮3 Smart Ways to Use Your Points

Many people say, “I have points, but I don’t know how to use them.” Especially with Limited-Time Points, there is a risk they will expire. Use these three methods to spend them wisely without waste.

１．Buy daily necessities at Rakuten Ichiba: Spending points on essentials like detergent, bottled water, or tissues directly helps your household budget. Since your point multiplier is already boosted by your Rakuten Mobile contract, this creates a “virtuous cycle” of earning while spending.

２．Apply them to your Rakuten Mobile monthly bill: You can use your points directly for your phone bill. If you set up “auto-deduction,” the points are applied automatically every month. Since Limited-Time Points are prioritized, you can potentially bring your mobile costs down to effectively zero.

３．Use them for daily shopping via Rakuten Pay: By using points for daily purchases at convenience stores or supermarkets, you can reduce your out-of-pocket cash expenses. It’s also a great way to prevent Limited-Time Points from expiring.

▮Summary・・・

If you are considering switching to Rakuten Mobile, consider the total savings including point benefits—your monthly savings will be even greater. I highly recommend trying out their rate simulation tool.

• Signing up for Rakuten Mobile boosts your Rakuten Ichiba point rate by +4x.
• You can earn even more points by entering various campaigns.
• By presenting your point card in the Rakuten Pay app, you can earn points even at offline stores.
• You can use your points to pay your mobile bill, bringing your phone costs close to zero.

If you switch to Rakuten Mobile from another carrier using the “Employee Referral Campaign,” you’ll receive a massive 14,000 points!

When considering a switch, please be sure to check the campaign entry requirements. Whether or not you apply for the campaign will significantly impact your initial out-of-pocket costs.

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