【Ends Mar 2026】Not Earning d POINTS on Amazon? The "¥5,000 Wall" Strategy & 10th Anniversary Roulette Guide

"I heard I could earn d POINTS by shopping on Amazon, but I haven't received a single point."

Have you ever experienced this? Actually, the integration between Amazon and d POINTS has a hidden rule that is quite harsh for unaware users: "If you don't purchase over ¥5,000 in a single transaction, the return rate is 0%."

Furthermore, many people give up on the setup entirely due to the complex "d Account creation (Katakana input errors)" or the "SMS verification wall." However, ignoring this is essentially the same as throwing money away.

In this article, we provide a complete guide on how to participate in the "d POINT 10th Anniversary Roulette" (ending March 31, 2026), how foreign residents can smartly "double-dip" points on Amazon, and finally, how to use up every single yen without waste when you eventually return to your home country.

【Ends Mar 2026】What is the d POINT 10th Anniversary "Roulette"?

Currently, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, d POINT is holding a "Roulette Campaign" where you can win up to 1,000 points every month.

• Campaign Period: Until Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Prizes: 1st Prize: 1,000 pts / 2nd Prize: 100 pts / 3rd Prize: 1 pt
• How to Participate: Enter the campaign and collect "stamps" by shopping at eligible stores.

Why This is Urgent

This campaign will completely end on March 31, 2026. Especially if you plan to leave Japan soon, this is your last chance to accumulate points to help cover souvenir costs or travel expenses for your return trip.

Don't Lose Out! The "¥5,000 Rule" for Amazon Integration

Many foreign residents misunderstand this, but simply linking your Amazon and d Account does not mean you will get points for every purchase. There is a very clear "Threshold".

Shocking Fact: At ¥4,999, Your Reward Rate is 0%

Let's look at the rules for d POINT rewards on Amazon:

• ¥4,000 Purchase → 0 Points (0% Reward Rate)
• ¥4,999 Purchase → 0 Points (0% Reward Rate)
• ¥5,000 Purchase → 50 Points (1.0% Reward Rate)
• ¥50,000 Purchase → 100 Points (0.2% Reward Rate *Cap applied)

As you can see, being short by just 1 yen means the points you should have earned disappear. Also, even if you buy expensive items, you can only receive a maximum of 100 points per transaction.

The Only Strategy: Keep Items "Waiting" in Your Cart

The solution is simple. Stop buying daily necessities like detergent, water, or rice individually.

1. Put the items you need into your cart (don't buy them yet).
2. Wait until the total amount exceeds ¥5,000.
3. Check out all at once the moment it crosses ¥5,000.

This ensures you receive the 1.0% d POINT return. Of course, you will also receive Amazon Points as usual, allowing you to "double-dip."

The "Setup Walls" Foreigners Face & Troubleshooting

Have you ever gotten stuck with errors while trying to create a d Account? Here are two major barriers foreign residents face and how to solve them.

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Wall 1: Cannot Use 050 Numbers (IP Phones)

To create a d Account, a Japanese mobile phone number starting with "070 / 080 / 090" capable of receiving SMS is mandatory. You cannot register with "050 numbers" like SMART Talk or My050.

If you only have a data-only SIM, we strongly recommend switching to a "SIM with Voice Call" functionality at this opportunity. This will dramatically improve your quality of life in Japan, not just for d Accounts, but also for opening PayPay or bank accounts.

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Wall 2: Name Mismatch Error

A common trouble is when the "Amazon Name (Romaji)" and "d Account Name (Katakana)" do not match, causing a linking error.

• Amazon: Smith John
• d Account: スミス ジョン (Sumisu Jon)

In this case, rather than changing the name on Amazon's settings, you generally need to correct the registration information on the d Account side. If it still doesn't resolve, you may need to visit a Docomo Shop to consult about "Name Identification" (Nayose).

No Docomo Contract? "d POINT Link" vs "d Barai"

Do you think, "I don't use a Docomo SIM, so this doesn't apply to me"? That is a big mistake.

"d Barai" and "d POINT Link" Are Different

Many people get confused, but these two functions on Amazon are completely different.

1. d Barai (Mobile Payment): You cannot use this on Amazon unless you have a Docomo line (including ahamo/irumo).
2. d POINT Link: Anyone can use this. Users of SoftBank, au, or budget SIMs are all welcome.

You Can Pay with Your Usual Card

Once you've linked your d POINTS, you can pay with your usual credit card, such as a Rakuten Card or debit card.

In fact, using a high-reward credit card with no annual fee is overwhelmingly more profitable than paying with cash, as you get a total of 2% returns: d POINTS (1%) + Credit Card Points (1%). If you don't have a Japanese credit card yet, the Rakuten Card is ideal as your first card due to its relatively flexible screening process.

Also, the following article summarizes a "Poi-katsu" (Point-hunting) startup guide that foreigners who have just arrived in Japan should check out. Reading this as well will help you acquire cash and points even more efficiently.

【Urgent】Procedures to Get '¥20,000 Cash' Upon Arriving in Japan

Smart "Exit Strategy" for Leaving Japan

Finally, I will share the most important point. The d POINTS won in the campaign are "Limited Time & Purpose (Valid for 2 months)." Many people find themselves with leftover points just before returning home and don't know how to use them.

The Ultimate Use: Amazon Gift Card (Charge Type)

Here is a trick to avoid wasting points. Use your leftover d POINTS to purchase "Amazon Gift Cards (Charge Type)" (Note: Applies if d Barai is usable, or by using point application settings on Amazon).

When shopping on Amazon, if you check "Use d POINTS" on the payment screen, you can apply d POINTS in 1-point increments for purchases of ¥100 or more.

For example, if you have 342 points remaining:

1. Put the item you want (or a Gift Card) in your Amazon cart.
2. Specify "Use 342 pts of d POINTS" in the payment settings.
3. Pay the remaining balance with your credit card.

This way, you can convert short-term d POINTS into Amazon balance or products that are valid for 10 years. If you use this for souvenir shopping at the airport or buying Kindle eBooks right before you leave, not a single yen will go to waste.

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Conclusion

For foreigners using Amazon, d POINT integration is "free money" that can save you thousands to tens of thousands of yen a year, as long as you follow the "¥5,000 Rule." The period until March 2026 is especially a bonus time thanks to the 10th Anniversary Campaign.

Complete the setup now with the following steps:

1. Create a d Account (Prepare a JP SMART SIM if you need a SIM for SMS verification).
2. Link Settings on Amazon (Check the Katakana spelling if you get a name error).
3. Checkout when your cart hits ¥5,000!

The troublesome setup is only for the first time. Once set, points will accumulate automatically. Let's start today to make your life in Japan richer.