Amex Business Platinum vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins 2-1. High-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome. Amex Business Platinum is still the right call if us-incorporated startups with $50k+/year corporate spend..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Business Platinum | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $695 | $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 720 | = 720 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Business Platinum
- 5x points on flights + prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- 1.5x on purchases ≥$5,000 (uncapped)
- Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 airline fee credit + $200 dell credit + $400 Indeed credit
- Hilton Honors Gold + Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Generous expense-management features (Vendor Pay)
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Amex Business Platinum vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Business Platinum for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.