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 Macys American Express Card leads on dining; the Rakuten American Express Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Macys American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3X | 2X |
| Gas Stations | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
The Macys American Express Card wins in 2 of 2 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Dining
Macys American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Gas Stations
Macys 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).
| Scenario | Macys American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $186 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $186 Year one: $186 | Rewards: $234 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $234 Year one: $334 | Rakuten American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
Both scenarios favor the Rakuten American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $744 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $744 Year one: $744 | Rewards: $936 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $936 Year one: $1,036 | Rakuten American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
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.
