CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: June 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
First Electronic Bank
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2X | 2X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $395 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $395 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
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: June 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
First Electronic Bank
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2X | 2X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $395 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $395 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
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: June 2026.
The Rakuten American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
First Electronic Bank
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Rakuten American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2X | 2X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Rakuten American Express Card leads in 0.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $395 more than the Rakuten American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $395 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Rakuten American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Rakuten American Express Card means losing:
The Rakuten American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the Rakuten American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
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: June 2026.
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you:
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Rakuten American Express Card if you: