Rakuten SPU: Maximizing Your Points

Rakuten SPU (Super Point Up) is the program that turns Rakuten Mobile from a "cheap carrier" into a "money maker."

If you shop online in Japan, this is non-negotiable. Merely being a Rakuten Mobile subscriber automatically boosts your point earning rate on Rakuten Ichiba (Japan’s Amazon) by +4x.

The +4x Multiplier Explained

Normally, you earn 1% (1 point per ¥100) on Rakuten Ichiba. With Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten Strongest Plan), you get an additional +4%.

That means every ¥10,000 you spend earns you 500 points instead of 100. If you spend ¥50,000 a month on groceries, water, and daily necessities, you earn 2,500 points (¥2,500 value) just from this one benefit.

The Math

• Base Rate: 1%
• Rakuten Mobile Bonus: +4%
• Total: 5%

Stacking Multipliers (Up to 18x)

The beauty of SPU is that it stacks. You can combine multiple Rakuten services to reach up to 18x (18% back).

Common stack for foreigners:

1. Rakuten Member: 1x (Base)
2. Rakuten Mobile: +4x
3. Rakuten Card: +2x (Use the free card)
4. Rakuten Bank + Card: +0.5x (Link them)
5. Rakuten Market App: +0.5x (Shop via app)

Total: 8x (8% back on everything).

If you buy a ¥100,000 laptop, you get 8,000 points back. That pays for 2-3 months of your phone bill.

Paying Your Bill with Points

This is the ultimate hack. You can set your Rakuten Mobile bill to be paid automatically with Limited Time Points.

1. Earn points from shopping (SPU).
2. Points are applied to your mobile bill.
3. Your phone bill becomes ¥0.

Many heavy users effectively have a free phone plan because their shopping points cover the entire cost.

Important: "Limited Time Points"

SPU points are often "Limited Time Points" (expire in ~45 days). Use them first. The best way is to set Rakuten Mobile or Rakuten Pay to use "Limited Time Points" automatically. Do not hoard them.

Summary

Pro Tip: Wait for "0 or 5 days" (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th) to shop. On these days, Rakuten Card users get an additional +2x, bringing your total easily over 10x.