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Here you can add a description about your company or product

© Copyright 2026 CardRewards. All Rights Reserved.

About

Blog
Contact

Product

Documentation

Legal

Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Accessibility

Here you can add a description about your company or product

© Copyright 2026 CardRewards. All Rights Reserved.

About

Blog
Contact

Product

Documentation

Legal

Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Accessibility

American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card — Full Comparison (2026)

Home
/
Compare
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American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

American Express Gold Card

American Express Gold Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Annual Fee

$325

$0

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Flex point

50 points

Base Earn Rate

1X

—

Top Earn Categories

4X Dining

4X Grocery Stores

3X Flights

2X Hotels

4X Rakuten Purchases

2X Dining

2X Grocery Stores

Network

AMEX

AMEX

Key Benefits

✓Travel credit

✓Travel insurance

✓Purchase protection

None

Pros

+4X points on dining worldwide - industry leading
+4X at U.S. supermarkets up to $25k/year
+$424 in annual credits offset $325 fee
+No foreign transaction fees
+Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners

—

Cons

−$325 annual fee with no waived first year
−4X grocery excludes Costco, Walmart, Target
−No lounge access included
−Limited non-food spending categories
−Amex acceptance less universal than Visa/MC

—

The Bottom Line

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 and travel credits.

Explore More

American Express Gold 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 →

Home
/
Compare
/
American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

American Express Gold Card

American Express Gold Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Annual Fee

$325

$0

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Flex point

50 points

Base Earn Rate

1X

—

Top Earn Categories

4X Dining

4X Grocery Stores

3X Flights

2X Hotels

4X Rakuten Purchases

2X Dining

2X Grocery Stores

Network

AMEX

AMEX

Key Benefits

✓Travel credit

✓Travel insurance

✓Purchase protection

None

Pros

+4X points on dining worldwide - industry leading
+4X at U.S. supermarkets up to $25k/year
+$424 in annual credits offset $325 fee
+No foreign transaction fees
+Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners

—

Cons

−$325 annual fee with no waived first year
−4X grocery excludes Costco, Walmart, Target
−No lounge access included
−Limited non-food spending categories
−Amex acceptance less universal than Visa/MC

—

The Bottom Line

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 and travel credits.

Explore More

American Express Gold 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 →

Home
/
Compare
/
American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

American Express Gold Card vs Rakuten American Express Card

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

American Express Gold Card

American Express Gold Card

American Express

Rakuten American Express Card

Rakuten American Express Card

First Electronic Bank

Annual Fee

$325

$0

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Flex point

50 points

Base Earn Rate

1X

—

Top Earn Categories

4X Dining

4X Grocery Stores

3X Flights

2X Hotels

4X Rakuten Purchases

2X Dining

2X Grocery Stores

Network

AMEX

AMEX

Key Benefits

✓Travel credit

✓Travel insurance

✓Purchase protection

None

Pros

+4X points on dining worldwide - industry leading
+4X at U.S. supermarkets up to $25k/year
+$424 in annual credits offset $325 fee
+No foreign transaction fees
+Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners

—

Cons

−$325 annual fee with no waived first year
−4X grocery excludes Costco, Walmart, Target
−No lounge access included
−Limited non-food spending categories
−Amex acceptance less universal than Visa/MC

—

The Bottom Line

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 and travel credits.

Explore More

American Express Gold 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 →