If you’re prepared to include a high-end travel rewards card in your collection, you might be considering whether to choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or another option.The American Express Platinum Card®—and rightly so.
Both cards provide high-end benefits such as access to airport lounges, significant statement credits, and travel protections. However, there isn’t a single card that suits everyone’s needs, particularly within the premium card category. Although the Venture X and…Amex PlatinumWhile both are fantastic cards, there are significant differences between them that make it likely one will be a better fit for you than the other.
To assist you in determining the most suitable card for your needs, here is a comparison of the benefits offered by both the Venture X and the Amex Platinum.
Comparison between Capital One Venture X and Amex Platinum
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card | Amex Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $395 (refer to rates and fees) | $695 (refer to rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | Receive 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of having the card. | Receive 80,000 points once you spend $8,000 within the initial six months of card membership.
Verify CardMatch to determine if you qualify for an enhanced welcome offer. |
| Earning rates | 10 miles earned for each dollar spent on hotels and rental cars reserved via Capital One Travel.
For every dollar spent on flights booked via Capital One Travel, you earn 5 miles. 2 miles for every dollar spent on all other purchases |
Earn 5 points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel, applicable to expenditures up to $500,000 annually; after reaching this limit, earn 1 point per dollar spent.
Earn 5 points for every dollar spent on hotel reservations made via AmexTravel.com 1 point for every dollar spent on all other types of purchases. |
| Redemption options | Several direct redemption choices, such as using them as a statement credit for travel expenses.
Transfer miles to over 15 airline and hotel partners |
Several straightforward ways to redeem, such as gift cards, products, and travel options
Transfer points to 18 airline and 3 hotel partners. |
| Statement credits | $300 yearly credit for travel reservations made via Capital One Travel.
Receive up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. |
Receive up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits each year (The Hotel Collection necessitates a minimum stay of two nights).
Receive an annual digital entertainment credit of up to $240 (up to $20 monthly; enrollment required). Receive an annual Walmart+ credit of up to $155 (equal to up to $12.95 per month for one membership fee; auto-renewal is required; Plus Ups are not included). Receive up to $200 in Uber Cash each year ($15 per month, with an additional $20 bonus in December). Receive a credit of up to $200 for airline fees. Receive a credit of up to $300 for Equinox. Receive a Saks Fifth Avenue credit of up to $100 annually (up to $50 every six months). Up to $189 annual Clear Plus membership credit (with automatic renewal) Receive up to $300 credit towards SoulCycle at-home sessions. Receive up to $100 Global Entry credit every four years or up to $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years. Certain benefits necessitate enrollment. |
| Lounge access | Capital One lounges (free access for the cardholder and two guests)
Priority Pass Select membership (free for the cardholder and two guests, excludes restaurants) Plaza Premium lounges (free of charge for the cardholder and two guests, fees apply for additional guests) Identical lounge access for eligible individuals |
Centurion Lounges: Complimentary access for cardmembers. Guest fees: $30 for ages 2 to 17, $50 for ages 18 and older unless the cardmember qualifies for guest privileges by spending $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.
Priority Pass Select membership (free for cardholders and up to two guests, excluding restaurants) Delta Sky Clubs access is provided complimentary to cardmembers when flying with Delta. Guests can join for a fee of $50 each. Platinum Card Members are entitled to 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go while traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Escape lounges are available at no cost for cardmembers and up to two guests, or immediate family. Plaza Premium lounges (free access for cardholder and two guests) Choose select Lufthansa lounges (free for cardholders) Other lounges in the Global Lounge Collection offered by partners (complimentary for cardmembers, guest policies may differ) Registration is necessary for certain advantages. |
| Travel protections | Collision damage waiver for car rentals
Baggage delay reimbursement Trip delay reimbursement Trip cancellation and interruption |
Car rental coverage*
Premium Global Assist Hotline** Baggage insurance*** Trip delay**** Trip cancellation and disruption**** |
| Purchase protections | Extended warranty
Return protection Cellphone protection |
Purchase protection***
Extended warranty*** Return protection*** Cellphone protection**** |
*The eligibility criteria and benefit levels differ depending on the card. Coverage does not extend to all vehicle types or rentals, and geographical restrictions may be in place. Applicable terms, conditions, and limitations are described at americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, with coverage provided by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Eligibility and benefit levels differ depending on the card. Terms, conditions, and limitations are applicable. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Should Premium Global Assist Hotline approve and arrange it, emergency medical transportation assistance might be offered free of charge. Under other circumstances, cardmembers must cover the expenses incurred by third-party service providers.
Eligibility and benefit levels differ depending on the card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. The policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions are applicable. For detailed information, go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Related: A comprehensive comparison of the top premium credit cards.
Capital One Venture X vs. American Express Platinum initial bonus comparison
The Capital One Venture X currently offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. According to TPG, this bonus is valued at $1,388.
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Meanwhile, the Amex PlatinumThe current offer includes 80,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $8,000 within the first six months of having the card. The Points Guy estimates this bonus to be worth $1,600. Additionally, you might qualify for a higher bonus via the CardMatch tool (please note that CardMatch offers are not guaranteed and can change at any time).
Victor: Amex Platinum. Its introductory offer exceeds the value of Venture X’s existing offer by more than $200.
Related: The optimal time to apply for these 10 sought-after travel credit cards — according to their offer history.
Capital One Venture X compared to Amex Platinum perks.
A notable advantage of both cards is the lounge access they provide. With the Venture X card, you will have access to Capital One, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium lounges. The lounge access you receive with the other card is even more comprehensive.Amex PlatinumHowever, it grants you entry to Centurion, Delta Sky Club (when flying with Delta), Escape, Lufthansa, and various other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges, as well as Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges.
With the Venture X card, you’ll receive a $300 yearly credit for travel arranged via Capital One Travel. You’ll also enjoy a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and a substantial guest allowance for airport lounge access. By making the most of these perks, you’ll easily counterbalance the card’s $395 annual fee, which is relatively modest for a high-end travel credit card.
The Venture X card also includes travel and purchase protections, offering you peace of mind even if you don’t fully utilize its financial benefits.
Additionally, you can include up to four authorized users on your account at no extra cost (refer to rates and fees). This is particularly beneficial since each authorized user enjoys the same airport lounge access as the primary cardholder.
The Amex Platinum’sThe advantages, however, are much more comprehensive. They encompass over $1,500 in available yearly statement credits and extensive airport lounge access, alongside substantial travel and purchase protections, including cellphone protection of up to $800 per claim with a $50 deductible (up to two claims per year).
The list of benefits offered by the Platinum card is arguably unmatched among publicly available cards, but it carries a hefty annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees), which is considerably higher than that of the Venture X. Additionally, if you wish to add authorized users to your account, it will incur extra charges. Specifically, each authorized user will cost $195 annually (see rates and fees).
Top Pick: Amex Platinum. Its lounge access and over $1,500 in potential statement credits are tough to surpass.
Related: Is the annual fee worth it for premium credit cards?
Comparing reward earnings between the Venture X and Amex Platinum cards.
The Venture X card accumulates 10 miles for each dollar spent on hotel bookings and car rentals made via Capital One Travel, 5 miles for every dollar used on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per dollar spent on any other purchases.
Meanwhile, the Amex PlatinumAccrues 5 points for each dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express Travel (up to a maximum of $500,000 in purchases annually, thereafter earning 1 point per dollar), as well as on prepaid hotels reserved through AmexTravel.com. On all other purchases, it generates 1 point per dollar spent.
Although Venture X might provide additional earning opportunities, remember that TPG assesses Amex Membership Rewards at 2 cents apiece, whereas Capital One miles are valued at a lower rate of 1.85 cents each.
Victor: Venture X. The majority will accumulate greater rewards earning 2 miles per dollar on all expenditures compared to the earning system of the Amex Platinum.
Comparing the process of redeeming rewards with the Venture X card to that of the Amex Platinum card.
The Venture X card allows you to maximize the value of your miles by transferring them to any of Capital One’s over 15 transfer partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan and Choice Privileges. Alternatively, you can use your miles to book travel through Capital One Travel or redeem them as a statement credit for recent travel at a flat rate of 1 cent per mile.
You can redeem your Capital One miles for gift cards at a value of 1 cent per mile or use them for purchases on Amazon or PayPal at a value of 0.8 cents per mile. The least favorable option is converting your miles into cash back, which gives you 0.5 cents per mile; it’s advisable to avoid this choice if possible.
Similarly, with the Amex PlatinumYou can maximize the value of your Amex Membership Rewards points by transferring them to any of Amex’s 21 travel partners. Alternatively, you can redeem your points for travel on AmexTravel.com, typically at a rate of 1 cent per point.
Alternative redemption methods with lower-value returns involve using your points as a statement credit for qualifying expenses, utilizing Pay with Points at select online retailers, or converting your points into gift cards. Typically, these choices yield less than 1 cent per point. Therefore, it is advisable to choose travel redemptions to maximize the value of your points.
Victor: Amex Platinum. Based on TPG estimates, Membership Rewards points provide higher-value opportunities and hold greater worth compared to Capital One miles.
Comparing the process of transferring rewards with the Venture X card and the Amex Platinum card.
Capital One and American Express offer convenient reward transfer options to valuable travel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to most partners at a 1:1 ratio, and transfers usually occur instantly. Both programs frequently provide transfer bonuses, enhancing the value of your rewards further.
Both programs share numerous transfer partners, including some popular ones such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Nonetheless, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a greater variety of valuable airline and hotel partners compared to Capital One, including ANA Mileage Club, Iberia Plus, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Furthermore, American Express has traditionally provided more transfer bonuses than Capital One.
However, Capital One distinguishes itself with valuable partners such as Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Virgin Red.
TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed enjoys using his Amex points for premium cabin redemptions with various partners. He frequently transfers his points to Aeroplan to benefit from the program’s excellent award chart and stopover options.
Victor: Amex Platinum. You have the ability to transfer Membership Rewards to a larger selection of premium travel partners.
Should I choose the Venture X or the Amex Platinum?
The Amex Platinum is a superior option for frequent flyers due to its wide-ranging lounge access and extra rewards on airline purchases. On the other hand, if you travel less frequently, you might find the Venture X more appealing with its lower annual fee and diverse earning potential. The Venture X also offers notable perks such as lounge access and an annual travel credit, all while maintaining a lower annual fee and wider earning opportunities.
Bottom line
Both the Venture X and theAmex Platinum are great cards.
If you seek comprehensive airport lounge access and various statement credits and are willing to pay a higher annual fee, the Amex Platinum card is more suitable for you. Conversely, if your primary goals are to earn a constant rate on all purchases and enjoy premium benefits at a lower annual fee, the Venture X card is the best choice.
Considering the information provided, both cards present reliable choices. Regardless of your decision, you’ll soon be traveling with ease using either card.
To learn more, please read our comprehensive reviews of the Amex Platinum and Venture X.
Apply here: The American Express Platinum Card
Discover additional information: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
For information on the rates and fees associated with the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For the Capital One products mentioned on this page, certain benefits are offered through Visa® or Mastercard® and may differ depending on the product. Please refer to the specific Guide to Benefits for complete details, as terms and exclusions are applicable.