Latest news with #Rakuten
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barcelona confirms Japanese tour
Barcelona confirms Japanese tour It's now official. FC Barcelona is heading to Japan, marking the first stop of their summer tour in Asia. The Catalan club will take on Vissel Kobe this Sunday, July 27, after reaching a last-minute agreement with the local promoter. The match, which had been suspended two days ago due to a financial dispute, will go ahead thanks to Rakuten's intervention. The former Blaugrana sponsor covered the five million euros that the Japanese group Yasuda, responsible for organizing the event, was unable to advance. Hansi Flick's men will begin their preparations as soon as they arrive, ahead of two more fixtures scheduled in South Korea against FC Seoul (July 31) and Daegu FC (August 4). Ter Stegen, currently injured, will not be making the trip. Pau Víctor and Oriol Romeu, both set to depart, will also remain in Barcelona. Iñaki Peña is expected to take over in goal.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Maximize Rewards And Save Big On Back-To-School Shopping 2025
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. As summer speeds by, families are starting back-to-school shopping earlier this year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), about 70% of families have already started their shopping sprees by early July, up from 55% last year. Starting early not only helps shoppers avoid last-minute chaos but also gives them a better chance to save by setting a budget, shopping around for the best deals and maximizing credit card rewards. With tariffs and inflation still on many people's minds, most parents want to lock in prices before they rise. The NRF found that 51% of families started shopping earlier than usual due to worries about rising costs. Shopping early also spreads expenses over time, which helps families avoid the stress of last-minute bulk buying. Plus, summer sales allow shoppers to catch deals before the August rush. All in all, this shift shows how families are being cautious and strategic with their spending, trying to stay ahead of any surprises and avoid higher prices down the line. Back-to-school shopping can be a real headache, especially when the kids start loading the cart with notebooks, pens, backpacks and maybe even a new iPad. To make the process less burdensome and save some cash, try these simple tips to stretch your dollar this season. Use rewards and cash-back credit cards. When checking out, use a rewards or cash-back credit card that offers you extra points or cash back in categories like groceries, online shopping and electronics. Also, review your credit card account for targeted offers, like Amex Offers or Chase Offers , to activate additional rewards at specific retailers—many cards offer special deals around back-to-school time. When checking out, use a rewards or that offers you extra points or cash back in categories like groceries, online shopping and electronics. Also, review your credit card account for targeted offers, like or , to activate additional rewards at specific retailers—many cards offer special deals around back-to-school time. Stack coupons, promo codes and sales. Combine manufacturer coupons with in-store discounts, online promo codes and cash-back platforms. For example, at the time of writing, Rakuten is offering 1% cash back at Target. Combine this with Target's back-to-school shopping sale running from July 27 to August 2, and you're boosting your overall discount. Combine manufacturer coupons with in-store discounts, online promo codes and cash-back platforms. For example, at the time of writing, Rakuten is offering 1% cash back at Target. Combine this with Target's back-to-school shopping sale running from July 27 to August 2, and you're boosting your overall discount. Sign up for loyalty programs. Retailers often provide exclusive coupons, early access to sales or points that can be redeemed for future purchases. These perks can add up over time at places you frequently shop and help stretch your budget further. Retailers often provide exclusive coupons, early access to sales or points that can be redeemed for future purchases. These perks can add up over time at places you frequently shop and help stretch your budget further. Use store apps. Many retailers have exclusive digital coupons and alerts for flash sales you won't find in flyers or emails. The Target app offers digital coupons and flash sale alerts, and Walmart's app also works the same way, helping you score exclusive coupons and early access to deals. Many retailers have exclusive digital coupons and alerts for flash sales you won't find in flyers or emails. The Target app offers digital coupons and flash sale alerts, and Walmart's app also works the same way, helping you score exclusive coupons and early access to deals. Set a budget and track spending. It's easy to overspend during sales when heaps of items are sitting in front of you. Plan what your kids need and stick to a budget by tracking expenses as you shop. Out of these tips, using the right credit card can be key in maximizing your back-to-school savings. The best credit cards for shopping offer 2% to 5% back in rewards on everyday spending categories like online retailers, groceries and gas. If you pay off your balance in full every month to avoid interest, these rewards can add up, especially with regular school drop-offs and bulk grocery runs to prep lunches for the week. If you're worried about covering all the expenses this season brings, a 0% APR credit card can also give you some breathing room. These cards offer an introductory 0% APR period on new purchases—often lasting a year or more—which lets you spread out payments without paying interest. As long as you create a plan to pay off the balance before the intro period ends, you can use this as a smart short-term financing option to manage back-to-school costs without the burden of interest. Back-to-school shopping in 2025 isn't looking to be a last-minute rush like usual. Families are tackling the shopping game early, looking for deals and sticking to necessities to avoid overspending. At the same time, families and retailers are learning to adapt and thrive in an uncertain economy. If you want to keep your wallet in good shape after a big shopping spree, don't forget to maximize your rewards and use the right credit cards to score some extra cash back.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Rakuten And Amex Launch New Credit Card With Up To 10% Cash Back
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Shopping online isn't just about convenience—it's a chance to save more on your purchases. Rakuten, a well-known cash back platform, has partnered with American Express to launch a new credit card that helps members earn even more rewards. Powered by fintech startup Imprint, The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers boosted rewards across everyday spending categories, including an extra 4% cash back on top of the cash back earned through Rakuten, on up to $7,000 in purchases per calendar year. Rakuten fans no longer have to limit their rewards to online shopping, as this new card brings those perks to in-store and restaurant purchases, too. The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers perks for shoppers looking to maximize their rewards. In addition to regular Rakuten cash back, cardholders earn an extra 4% cash back at more than 3,500 partner stores, whether online or in person, on up to $7,000 per calendar year. That means if you spend $100 at one of these stores, an extra $4 goes back in your pocket. If you love dining out, the card shines with a whopping up to 10% cash back at more than 22,000 Rakuten partner restaurants, thanks to an additional 5% back on top of base rewards. You'll also earn 2% cash back in popular spending categories like groceries and restaurant visits, and 1% on all other purchases. Alongside the cash back rewards, the card charges no annual fee, making it accessible for many shoppers. Plus, new cardholders can earn a $25 bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days of account opening. If you're looking for a simple, no-hassle rewards card that complements your existing Rakuten usage, this card deserves a close look. The Rakuten American Express® Card * works smoothly with the Rakuten platform, making it simple to earn cash back when shopping at partner stores. Plus, if you link your Rakuten account to American Express Membership Rewards® , you can earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash back—giving you more flexibility in redeeming your rewards, including transferring them to Amex's 15-plus travel partners . If you want to squeeze every bit of value from this card, start by installing Rakuten's browser extension or using its app. It automatically applies cash back deals and coupons when you shop online. Also, try to do most of your shopping during big sales, such as upcoming back-to-school or holiday promotions. That way, you can get both the sale price and plentiful cash-back rewards. Finally, routinely check your Rakuten and American Express accounts for limited-time deals or bonuses—these can add up over time. For a card with no annual fee, The Rakuten American Express® Card * offers strong rewards, especially if you prefer to earn cash back as a check or PayPal deposit—the current payout options Rakuten supports. However, if you're not already a Rakuten user or don't often shop or dine with its partner retailers and restaurants, you may want to explore other credit cards that offer shopping rewards . Take the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card , which earns 6% cash back for the first year in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum. $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. One of the categories you can choose to earn 6% cash back in with this card for the first year is online shopping. Factoring in its $2,500 quarterly maximum for these rewards, you could earn 6% cash back on up to $10,000 in your first year on online shopping spending (this rate drops to 3% after your first year), which may trump the 4% or more cash back you'd earn on up to $7,000 in purchases annually with Rakuten's partners using The Rakuten American Express® Card * . Overall, The Rakuten American Express® Card * still stands out for loyal Rakuten users, offering strong cash back potential within the shopping platform. For American Express customers, the ability to turn Rakuten cash back adds flexibility to explore redemption options beyond just cash.
NBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Credit card startup Imprint beats big banks for Rakuten co-brand deal
There's a new player making waves in an industry dominated by big banks. Imprint, the 5-year-old credit card startup, beat out banks in a competitive bidding process for a new co-branded card from online shopping platform Rakuten, CNBC has learned. The deal is the most recent sign that Imprint is gaining traction in the co-branded credit card industry. The New York-based startup also just raised $70 million in additional capital, boosting its valuation by 50% to $900 million less than a year from its previous round, according to Imprint CEO Daragh Murphy. Credit card partnerships with retailers, airlines and hotels are some of the most hotly contested deals in finance. Brands often go through extensive bidding processes to select a card company, while the companies compete for the right to issue cards to millions of loyal customers. The industry's largest players include JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Citigroup and Synchrony. 'We're talking to Fortune 500 companies about being their partner and them choosing us over Synchrony, over Barclays, over U.S. Bank,' Murphy said in an interview. 'We have to kind of walk and talk like we're a big, important company, even though we still have a startup ethos.' That's why the company recently raised capital, bringing its total to $330 million, most of which is held on the firm's balance sheet, according to Murphy. Those funds help show potential partners that Imprint has staying power, he said. Imprint also has about $1.5 billion in credit lines from banks including Citigroup, Truist and Mizuho, which it uses to extend loans to card customers, Murphy said. The startup is behind the cards from brands including Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers and Turkish Airlines. 'Banks are in trouble' To offer its credit cards, Imprint usually partners with one of two small banks, First Electronic Bank or First Bank and Trust. Imprint handles the customer experience, including the technology and credit decisions, while using the credit card rails of regulated banks. In the case of the Rakuten card, Imprint is relying on the American Express network, which allows users to get Amex purchase protections and other perks. It is using First Electronic Bank to help issue the cards. 'Though we're not a regulated bank, we're effectively building a bank,' Murphy said. 'We have to do all the same things as a bank. We're a capital markets company; we're a compliance company; we're a risk and credit and fraud company; we're a technology company.' To gain a toehold in the market for co-branded cards, which can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted, Imprint decided it would focus on a seamless digital experience for customers, Murphy said. That requires technology integration that is difficult for established players who rely on third-party companies including Fiserv to complete transactions, he said. 'The banks are in trouble because they don't own the technology that the credit card runs on,' Murphy said. 'Every credit card in your wallet, whether it's Chase … or from Citi or Synchrony, they rely on two or three different third parties to power the technology.' Fees & rewards Imprint also decided to set itself apart by making it easy for customers to pay off their loans, Murphy said. Card companies including Bread Financial and Synchrony make a far larger percentage of revenue from late fees than Imprint does, he said. 'You shouldn't have all these regressive late fees, and you shouldn't make it hard to pay,' Murphy said. 'The easier we make it to pay, the more likely you are to use the card, and the more likely you are to use the card, the better it is for everybody.' Finally, Murphy said the company's low customer acquisition costs allow it to fund more rewards for card users. The new Rakuten card, for instance, offers users an extra 4% in cash back in addition to what customers earn through shopping on the online portal, capped at $7,000 in spending per year. Users also earn 10% in cash back while dining at Rakuten's partner restaurants, and 2% cash back on groceries and non-partner restaurants. discontinued in 2022.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Announcing the new Rakuten American Express Card: No annual fee and 4% cash back on Rakuten purchases
Rakuten, one of the most popular cash-back shopping platforms, has just announced the Rakuten American Express® Card, a cash-back credit card with no annual fee and an enticing rewards rate: 10% cash back on Rakuten Dining (this includes the 5% you receive as a Rakuten member) 4% cash back on Rakuten purchases on up to $7,000 each calendar year (this is on top of any other cash back you may receive by shopping through the Rakuten platform) 2% cash back on groceries and other restaurants 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases Is the Rakuten American Express Card any good? The Rakuten Amex Card has just barely been announced, so there are still some fine details to learn about and consider, such as how your cash-back rewards can be redeemed. However, at a glance, it seems like a decent credit card for Rakuten members (free to join). Let's break down some of the benefits that we know about, as well as some potential perks. Annual fee The Rakuten Amex credit card has no annual fee, making it an affordable option for people who regularly use rate The Rakuten Amex Card offers: 10% cash back on Rakuten Dining (this includes the 5% you receive as a Rakuten member) 4% cash back on Rakuten purchases on up to $7,000 each calendar year (this is on top of any other cash back you may receive by shopping through the Rakuten platform) 2% cash back on groceries and other restaurants 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases For most people, the most significant part of this rewards rate will be earning an additional 4% back on Rakuten purchases, up to the $7,000 calendar year spending limit. If you already use Rakuten, that's an extra 4% cash back ($280) you could be earning each year on your eligible purchases. Even better, that's all on top of what you may already earn through the platform itself. For example, if a retailer is offering 15% cash back through Rakuten, you could earn that 15% plus another 4% from this credit card, for a whopping 19% cash back. Credit card network The Rakuten Amex Card will run on the American Express credit card network, providing cardholders with access to Amex Offers, Amex Experiences, and some retail protections, such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. While these benefits aren't groundbreaking, they can certainly be useful. Redemption options It's not entirely certain yet how cardholders can redeem their cash-back rewards, but we can speculate. Rakuten currently offers these cash-back redemption options to its members: Check PayPal Gift cards American Express Membership Rewards The Amex Membership Rewards redemption option on Rakuten has long been a bit of a secret or an appealing way to earn Amex points without necessarily using American Express credit cards. If this is a redemption option for cash back earned with the Rakuten Amex Card, it would serve to make the card all the more attractive for many people. Rakuten American Express Card alternatives If the Rakuten Amex Card doesn't make sense to you, consider these cash-back card alternatives. What is Rakuten? Founded in 1999, Rakuten is a primarily online cash-back shopping platform. You can use Rakuten to earn cash back from your online and certain in-store shopping purchases. You don't need to change much about your shopping experience, just use the Rakuten platform to start your online shopping trip or link your credit cards for an in-store trip, and then earn cash back on eligible purchases. Rakuten is free to join. The company makes money by bringing customers to different retailers, so it's not like you're paying more to use Rakuten; it's the retailers who are footing the bill. Having personally used Rakuten for many years, I find it's an easy and convenient way to get a slight discount on many of my online purchases. In some cases, it's an excellent way to earn loads of cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
