Travel credit cards are a great way to benefit (think: earning miles, upgrades, and free stays) from your regular travel.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and American Express Platinum are not only reliable travel options, but you can earn miles for your daily expenses, which can then be converted into free flights, upgrades, hotel stays and more.
In a nutshell
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Designed for people looking for an easy-to-use travel credit card while still enjoying traditional benefits such as 2 miles for every purchase, 10 miles for hotels and car rentals, and 5 miles for flights when booking through Capital One Travel.
- American Express Platinum Designed for those who want access to some of the best travel perks on the market – and don’t mind paying for it.
| Brand | Best for | Special features | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X Reward Card | For those looking for a convenient travel credit card. | Uncomplicated perks like annual booking credits, anniversary bonuses and lounge access. | USD 395 | Learn more |
| American Express Platinum | For those looking to gain access to top-tier travel benefits. | A state-of-the-art travel credit card with some of the best perks on the market – for the price. | USD 695 | Learn more |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the latest offering from Capital One. It is characterized by ease of use of benefits and flexibility.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Features
The Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card offers several easy-to-use benefits including annual booking credits, anniversary bonus, and lounge access.
Another bonus? The annual premium fare is only $ 395.
- Venture Capital One X Credit card rewards the annual fee is $ 395.
- Card holders earn 2x miles for each purchase, 10x for hotels and rental cars and 5x for flights booked through Capital One Travel. They can also earn up to $ 300 a year on a trip booked through Capital One Travel.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gives users 10,000 bonus miles (roughly $ 100 to spend on travel) every account anniversary.
- Uunlimited access to the airport lounge in 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Features
Additional benefits include a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit of up to $ 100, required for all seasoned travelers, and a 100,000 miles welcome bonus after spending $ 10,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Another bonus? Limited credit of $ 200 for vacation rentals debited from your account in the first year, such as Airbnb or VRBO.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Fees
As with any top tier or premium travel credit card, you are going to pay an annual fee. But the $ 395 Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card fee is at the bottom of the range, especially compared to American Express Platinum’s huge $ 695 fee.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Advantages and Disadvantages
Before signing up for the dotted line for a Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card, be sure to consider both the pros and cons.
pros
- Low annual fees…
- Easy to use benefitsfor example, 2x miles earned on each purchase, 10x on hotels and rental cars, and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
- Annual booking credits, Anniversary Bonus and Lounge Access.
- Opportunity to get additional benefitsfor example, 100,000 bonus miles with $ 10,000 for purchases in the first 6 months after opening an account, or a $ 200 credit for vacation rentals such as Airbnb or VRBO.
Minuses
- Welcome bonus costs the threshold is at the upper end.
- Flight benefits are limited to those booked through Capital One Travel.
Why Choose Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card is a great choice for those looking to experience the benefits of a travel credit card. This is because it has a few uncomplicated perks such as 2x miles for every purchase, 10x for hotels and rental cars, and 5x for flights booked through Capital One Travel.
This card also boasts annual travel credits, an annual reward of 10,000 bonus miles and access to Capital One lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
And don’t forget the 100,000 welcome bonus miles if you spend $ 10,000 within 6 months of opening your card.
Combined with the lower $ 395 annual fee, this is an easy choice for travelers looking for a simple yet rewarding experience.
Apply for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum has long been touted as one of the best travel credit cards.
American Express Platinum Features
American Express Platinum offers a long list of travel benefits.
- 1x for all purchases.
- 5x points for flights and prepaid hotels booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel.
- Up to $ 200 annual hotel loan for selected hotels.
- Up to $ 200 credit for airline fees.
- Up to $ 240 annual loan for digital entertainment.
- Up to $ 300 annual loan for Equinox.
- $ 200 in Uber Cash or up to $ 100 in an annual Saks loan.
- Access to over 1,300 airport lounges at over 500 airports around the world.
Are you traveling as a foodie? You will also get 10x more at eligible restaurants around the world.
The card’s welcome bonus is also solid – you get a 100,000 welcome bonus points if you spend $ 6,000 within the first six months of holding the card.
American Express Platinum special features
One thing that this card has a lot of is statement credits. Whether it’s a $ 200 annual loan, $ 200 in Uber Cash, or a $ 200 hotel loan, a $ 100 annual Saks loan, or a $ 240 annual loan for digital entertainment, you’ll save somewhere on your trip. And for fitness lovers? There is also a $ 300 Equinox annual loan.
Another great feature is the $ 179 CLEAR Credit to card. CLEAR is a biometric verification tool that helps you get through security checks faster and is available at select airports. This bonus covers the cost of the annual CLEAR membership.
American Express Platinum Fees
The annual fee for the American Express Platinum card is $ 695, which is definitely higher for the premium card. But with its many benefits and credits, you are likely to recoup those costs.
American Express Platinum pros and cons
Before opening your own American Express Platinum card, be sure to consider the pros and cons.
pros
- Long list of benefitsFor example, 5x points earned on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through the airlines or through American Express Travels, as well as points on statement from airline and hotel credits to CLEAR or Equinox memberships.
- Established, consumer-friendly card.
- Solid welcome bonus 100,000 points after spending $ 6,000 in the first six months after opening the card.
Minuses
- High annual fee.
- Benefits can be difficult to navigate for tourist credit card beginners.
Why Choose American Express Platinum?
The American Express Platinum Road Credit Card is ideal for seasoned travelers familiar with getting around in the travel rewards field. Its benefits last long, from 1x on all purchases, 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, to a respectable 100,000 welcome bonus (when you spend $ 6,000 within 6 months of opening your card).
And that’s not to mention the long list of annual loans for everything from luxury purchases to gym passes to airline and hotel loans.
This card is a good choice if you travel frequently, prefer to stay in luxury hotels, and spend enough annually to offset the annual fee.
Apply for American Express Platinum Card
Bottom line
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and American Express Platinum Credit Card are reliable choices when it comes to travel credit cards.
While American Express Platinum offers a long list of benefits, the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card might be a little easier to use for newcomers to the travel card industry. Plus, it offers all the benefits expected for a travel card – 2 miles on every purchase, 10 miles for hotels and car rentals, and 5 miles for flights when booked directly through Capital One Travel, plus a 100,000 welcome bonus – with a low annual fee. …