Capital One Venture vs American Express Platinum
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 Platinum is still the right call if heavy travelers wanting centurion lounge access + status credits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Capital One Venture | American Express Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
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
American Express Platinum
- 5x points on flights booked direct or via amextravel
- Centurion Lounge + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 annual airline fee credit + $200 Uber Cash
- $200 hotel credit + $189 CLEAR credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold + Hilton Honors Gold status
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Capital One Venture vs American Express Platinum: 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 Capital One Venture for its best categories, American Express Platinum for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Capital One Venture: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). American Express Platinum: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months.