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 Citi Double Cash Card leads on travel; the Rakuten American Express Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Citi Double Cash Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Citi Double Cash Card wins in 2 of 2 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Travel
Citi Double Cash Card earns 5X vs 1X
5X via issuer travel portal
Everyday purchases
Citi Double Cash Card earns 2X on all other spending 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 Citi Double Cash Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Citi Double Cash Card | Rakuten American Express Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $384 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $384 Year one: $584 | Rewards: $234 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $234 Year one: $334 | Citi Double Cash Card |
Both scenarios favor the Citi Double Cash Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Citi Double Cash Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $1,536 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $1,536 Year one: $1,736 | Rewards: $936 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $936 Year one: $1,036 | Citi Double Cash Card | Citi Double Cash Card |
Get the Citi Double Cash Card if you:
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.
