American Express Gold vs Capital One Venture
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Capital One Venture wins 3-1. Simple travel earn — 2x on every dollar, no categories to track American Express Gold is still the right call if heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1k+/mo on food).
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Gold | Capital One Venture |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $325 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (dining) | 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Gold
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (incl. Uber Eats)
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
- 3x on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com
- $120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at select partners)
- $120 annual Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture
- 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- Transfer miles to 15+ airline/hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Two complimentary visits/year to Capital One Lounges
FAQ
›American Express Gold vs Capital One Venture: which is better?
Capital One Venture wins on more dimensions (3 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 American Express Gold for its best categories, Capital One Venture for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Gold: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $6,000 in 6 months. Capital One Venture: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel).