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.
Annual fees: Rakuten American Express Card $0/yr, TAP Miles&Go American Express® $79/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Rakuten American Express Card on dining, TAP Miles&Go American Express® on car rentals.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Rakuten American Express Card | TAP Miles&Go American Express® |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rentals | 1X | 2X |
| Dining | 2X |
The TAP Miles&Go American Express® wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 2.
Dining
Rakuten American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Rakuten American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Car Rentals
TAP Miles&Go American Express® earns 2X vs 1X
Hotels
TAP Miles&Go American Express® earns 2X vs 1X
Ridesharing
TAP Miles&Go American Express® 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 | Rakuten American Express Card | TAP Miles&Go American Express® | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month |
Both scenarios favor the Rakuten American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Published annual fees: Rakuten American Express Card $0/yr, TAP Miles&Go American Express® $79/yr — a $79 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Rewards: $234 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $234 Year one: $334 |
Rewards: $0 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($79) Ongoing: -$79 Year one: -$79 |
| Rakuten American Express Card |
| Rakuten American Express Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $936 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $936 Year one: $1,036 | Rewards: $0 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($79) Ongoing: -$79 Year one: -$79 | Rakuten American Express Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
The TAP Miles&Go American Express® costs $79/yr — that's $79 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $79 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The TAP Miles&Go American Express® includes lounge access, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $79 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $79 fee gap means the TAP Miles&Go American Express® needs roughly $79 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on car rentals and hotels and everyday spend.
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.
