Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express leads on gas stations; the Rakuten American Express Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
American Express
First Electronic Bank
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Stations | 3X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 3X | 2X |
| Online Shopping | 3X | 1X |
| Department Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Both cards win in 1 categories each — it comes down to which categories matter most to you. 3 more categories depend on booking channel or caps.
Gas Stations
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Rakuten American Express Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Department Stores
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Rakuten American Express Card earns 2X (2X without restrictions)
Online Shopping
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Rakuten American Express Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Dining
Rakuten American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the Rakuten American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Both scenarios favor the Rakuten American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Rakuten American Express Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $120 Credits (our usable estimate): $42 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $162 Year one: $162 | Rewards: $234 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $234 Year one: $334 | Rakuten American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $480 Credits (our usable estimate): $42 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $522 Year one: $522 | Rewards: $936 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $936 Year one: $1,036 | Rakuten American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
