If you’re planning to buy a new Apple iPhone, there’s a smart way to make your purchase even more rewarding — by leveraging the power of Rakuten Points. Whether you’re a savvy shopper or just someone who enjoys earning while spending, Rakuten’s point system can give your wallet a surprising boost. In this article, we’ll explore how you can get Rakuten Points when buying an Apple iPhone and how using more Rakuten services can multiply your rewards.
What Are Rakuten Points?
Rakuten Points are part of a robust loyalty program run by Rakuten, one of Japan’s largest e-commerce and digital service providers. You earn points through shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, booking travel with Rakuten Travel, using Rakuten Card, and more. One Rakuten Point is equivalent to 1 yen, and these points can be used across the Rakuten ecosystem — from paying your phone bill to buying groceries or booking hotels.
Buying an iPhone Through Rakuten
Apple iPhones are available through various official Rakuten stores, including the Rakuten Bic Camera, Rakuten Mobile, and other certified retailers on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace. When you purchase an iPhone through one of these channels, you typically earn Rakuten Points based on the product price and the point multiplier being offered at that time.
For example, if you buy a ¥150,000 iPhone and there’s a 1% point rate, you get 1,500 points (¥1,500). But this is just the base level. There are ways to significantly boost this point return.
How to Earn More Points — Rakuten’s SPU Program
The true magic happens when you’re part of Rakuten’s Super Point Up (SPU) program. This program rewards users who use multiple Rakuten services by increasing their point earning rate on purchases. Here’s how it works:
- Rakuten Card: Use a Rakuten credit card to pay for your iPhone, and you instantly get +2x points.
- Rakuten Mobile: If you’re subscribed to Rakuten’s mobile phone service, that’s another +4x.
- Rakuten Bank + Rakuten Card Payment: Linking your Rakuten Card payments through Rakuten Bank adds +1x.
- Rakuten Books, Rakuten Fashion, Rakuma, and others: Even small activities like reading eBooks or buying clothes from Rakuten Fashion contribute to a higher point multiplier.
So, if you’re an active Rakuten user with several services in place, your multiplier can rise to 10x or more. Going back to our ¥150,000 iPhone example, a 10x multiplier means 15,000 points — a significant return that you can use for future purchases.
Rakuten Campaigns and Limited-Time Offers
Rakuten frequently runs limited-time campaigns like “Point Up” festivals, “Super Sale” events, or “Shop Marathon” weeks. During these events, point multipliers are boosted even further. Pairing your iPhone purchase with one of these promotions could net you thousands of additional points.
Tips for Maximizing Rakuten Points on an iPhone Purchase
- Check for Authorized Retailers: Ensure the iPhone you’re buying is from a trusted store within Rakuten Ichiba to guarantee point eligibility.
- Activate Campaigns: Always check your Rakuten account for ongoing campaigns and register (click the “entry” button) to activate them before making a purchase.
- Combine SPU and Sale Events: The best time to buy is during Rakuten Super Sales or Point Up campaigns while maximizing your SPU score.
- Use the App: Shopping via the Rakuten app may give you extra points (+0.5x or more).
- Stay Updated: Rakuten often updates its SPU rules and campaign offerings, so keeping an eye on your dashboard can help you take advantage of the best offers.
Buying an Apple iPhone is a significant investment, but with Rakuten, it becomes an opportunity to earn substantial rewards. If you’re already using Rakuten services or are willing to switch, the benefits can be enormous. From daily shopping to travel bookings and mobile services, each Rakuten product you use brings you closer to maximizing your point-earning potential.
In the end, what might seem like a regular smartphone purchase could easily translate into thousands of yen worth of points — making your next online shopping spree a lot more affordable.
So before you head to the Apple Store, take a moment to explore Rakuten. Your next iPhone could come with a hefty points bonus — and that’s a reward worth tapping into.