CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the American Express Gold Card ($325/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | American Express Gold Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4X | 2X |
The American Express Gold Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Dining
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
American Express Gold Card earns 3X vs 1X
The American Express Gold Card costs $325/yr — that's $325 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $325 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The American Express Gold Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $325 gap is significant. Choose the American Express Gold Card only if you spend heavily on dining and grocery stores and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $325), making it the more accessible option.
The American Express Gold Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the American Express Gold Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the American Express Gold Card ($325/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | American Express Gold Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4X | 2X |
The American Express Gold Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Dining
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
American Express Gold Card earns 3X vs 1X
The American Express Gold Card costs $325/yr — that's $325 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $325 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The American Express Gold Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $325 gap is significant. Choose the American Express Gold Card only if you spend heavily on dining and grocery stores and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $325), making it the more accessible option.
The American Express Gold Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the American Express Gold Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the American Express Gold Card ($325/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | American Express Gold Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4X | 2X |
The American Express Gold Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Dining
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
American Express Gold Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
American Express Gold Card earns 3X vs 1X
The American Express Gold Card costs $325/yr — that's $325 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $325 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The American Express Gold Card offers travel credits. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $325 gap is significant. Choose the American Express Gold Card only if you spend heavily on dining and grocery stores and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $325), making it the more accessible option.
The American Express Gold Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the American Express Gold Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| Grocery Stores | 4X | 2X |
| Flights | 3X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the American Express Gold Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
| Grocery Stores | 4X | 2X |
| Flights | 3X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the American Express Gold Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
| Grocery Stores | 4X | 2X |
| Flights | 3X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the American Express Gold Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
