Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is better for hilton properties, while the Rakuten American Express Card wins on rakuten purchases. Here's how they compare.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Hotel

50 points

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Card	Rakuten American Express Card
Hilton Properties	7X	1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts	7X	1X
Dining	5X	2X
Grocery Stores	5X	2X
U.S. Gas Stations	5X	1X
Everything Else	3X

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+No annual fee ever
+Automatic Hilton Silver status with 20% bonus points and late checkout
+Path to Gold status after $20,000 annual spend
+Solid 7X earning at Hilton properties, 5X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas
+No foreign transaction fees

—

Cons

−Only Silver status (lower than Surpass/Aspire Gold grants)
−Lower earn rates than premium Hilton cards (7X vs 12X at Hilton)
−No annual credits or free night rewards
−Points locked to Hilton with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted internationally than Visa/Mastercard

—

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.

Hilton Properties

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Hilton Hotels Resorts

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

U.S. Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:

+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Gold vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Hilton Honors Amex Bank Of America Customized Cash vs Hilton Honors Amex

Explore More

Hilton Honors American Express Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Rakuten American Express Card — Full Review All First Electronic Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · First Electronic Bank cards

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.

Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is better for hilton properties, while the Rakuten American Express Card wins on rakuten purchases. Here's how they compare.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Hotel

50 points

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Card	Rakuten American Express Card
Hilton Properties	7X	1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts	7X	1X
Dining	5X	2X
Grocery Stores	5X	2X
U.S. Gas Stations	5X	1X
Everything Else	3X

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+No annual fee ever
+Automatic Hilton Silver status with 20% bonus points and late checkout
+Path to Gold status after $20,000 annual spend
+Solid 7X earning at Hilton properties, 5X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas
+No foreign transaction fees

—

Cons

−Only Silver status (lower than Surpass/Aspire Gold grants)
−Lower earn rates than premium Hilton cards (7X vs 12X at Hilton)
−No annual credits or free night rewards
−Points locked to Hilton with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted internationally than Visa/Mastercard

—

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.

Hilton Properties

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Hilton Hotels Resorts

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

U.S. Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:

+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Gold vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Hilton Honors Amex Bank Of America Customized Cash vs Hilton Honors Amex

Explore More

Hilton Honors American Express Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Rakuten American Express Card — Full Review All First Electronic Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · First Electronic Bank cards

Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is better for hilton properties, while the Rakuten American Express Card wins on rakuten purchases. Here's how they compare.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Hotel

50 points

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Card	Rakuten American Express Card
Hilton Properties	7X	1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts	7X	1X
Dining	5X	2X
Grocery Stores	5X	2X
U.S. Gas Stations	5X	1X
Everything Else	3X

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+No annual fee ever
+Automatic Hilton Silver status with 20% bonus points and late checkout
+Path to Gold status after $20,000 annual spend
+Solid 7X earning at Hilton properties, 5X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas
+No foreign transaction fees

—

Cons

−Only Silver status (lower than Surpass/Aspire Gold grants)
−Lower earn rates than premium Hilton cards (7X vs 12X at Hilton)
−No annual credits or free night rewards
−Points locked to Hilton with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted internationally than Visa/Mastercard

—

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.

Hilton Properties

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Hilton Hotels Resorts

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X

U.S. Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:

+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card or Rakuten American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Rakuten American Express Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Gold vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Hilton Honors Amex Bank Of America Customized Cash vs Hilton Honors Amex

Explore More

Hilton Honors American Express Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Rakuten American Express Card — Full Review All First Electronic Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · First Electronic Bank cards