Business cards. Business cards… everywhere. With so many amazing options on the market, it can be tough to make a decision.
And chances are, if you’ve been doing any business card research, the Capital One Venture X Business and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express have surely come across your screen.
Both cards come with some serious rewards, premium travel perks, and credits that can offset their higher annual fees. And though they’re both great, they’re also very different.
One of them is a little simpler and flexible, while the other packs some more “luxury” perks and a longer list of statement credits. Let’s break it all down so you can see which one makes the most sense for your business.
Key Features
Capital One designed the Venture X Business to be a very no-nonsense premium card with solid rewards and travel perks that are super easy to use. The $395 annual fee is offset by a $300 annual travel credit through Capital One’s Travel, and 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary, making it very affordable for a premium-tier card.
The welcome offer is also super generous: Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
On the flip side, the Amex Business Platinum is boujee, y’all. With a $695 annual fee, it comes with a great (and long) list of travel credits, hotel status upgrades, and access to the Global Lounge Collection (which beats out almost any competitor in terms of lounge game).
While it’s a little less simple, American Express helps you maximize every benefit, such as great points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel®, tons of business-specific statement credits, and elite-like benefits at Hilton and Marriott.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | ||
Annual Fee | $395 | $695 (Rates and Fees) |
Travel Credit | $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and a 10,000-mile bonus on your anniversary | $200 Airline Fee Credit per calendar year, up to $209 CLEAR® credit, up to $120 Global Entry credit every 4.5 years, and several other business-specific credits |
Hotel Perks | Premier and Lifestyle Collection benefits | Fine Hotels + Resorts®, Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (with enrollment) |
Lounge Access | Capital One Lounges and Priority PassTM Select (after enrollment) | Global Lounge Collection (more than 1,400 lounges worldwide) and Centurion Lounges |
Transfer Partners | 15+ transfer partners (like Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer, British Airways Executive Club, and Wyndham Rewards) | 20+ airline and hotel partners (like Delta, ANA, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and hotels like Hilton and Marriott) |
Redemption Value | 1 cent per mile through Capital One Travel, higher with transfer partners | 1 cent per point through Amex Travel, 35% “Pay with Points” rebate on eligible flights, or higher value with transfer partners |
Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None (Rates and Fees) |
Earning Rates
Simple but flexible earnings:
10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
5x miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One's travel booking site
2x miles per $1 on every purchase
For business owners who don’t want to track categories, the unlimited 2x is baller. 😎
This card rewards big spenders in specific categories:
5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
1.5x points on eligible U.S. business purchases in select categories or on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per calendar year, purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus)
1x points on other eligible purchases
If your business requires heavier spending in categories like software, hardware, or shipping (or you make frequent big-boy purchases), this card can rack up points faster.
Benefits and Credits
Here’s what you’ll get in addition to the miles:
$300 annual travel credit (via Capital One’s travel booking site)
10,000 anniversary miles (worth $100 or more)
Up to $120 TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry credit
Capital One and Priority Pass lounge access (with enrollment)
Premier and Lifestyle Collection hotel perks
Employee and virtual cards at no additional cost
It’s easy to use, and the value almost always outweighs the annual fee.
This card goes all in on statement credits and elite perks:
Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit
Up to $209 CLEAR® Plus credit (per calendar year)
Statement credit every four years when you apply for Global Entry ($120) or every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider)
$200 Hilton statement credit (up to $50/quarter)
Up to $150 Dell credits per year (and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year, enrollment required)
Up to $360 Indeed credits (up to $90/quarter)
$250 Adobe credit (after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card)
Up to $120 Wireless credit ($10/month)
Global Lounge Collection access
Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
Fine Hotels + Resorts® perks (breakfast, upgrades, late checkout, etc.)
Terms Apply
If you can consistently use the credits, the value can far outweigh the annual fee. But it requires more effort and organization than the Venture X Business.
What Are These Cards Actually Worth?
The Venture X Business is all about consistent value. Between the travel credit, anniversary miles, and lounge access, the fee almost pays for itself, even before you start earning miles.
The Amex Business Platinum, however, can be worth more than $2,000 in perks per year, based on our subject opinion, but only if you maximize the statement credits and travel benefits. For some businesses, that’s easy. For others, it may feel like too much effort to justify the higher fee.
Why We Love the Venture X Business
The Venture X Business is just as “premium” but without as much hassle (and for a little cheaper). You won’t need to micromanage credits or track any crazy categories, just earn 2x miles everywhere, redeem with great partners, and enjoy travel perks that automatically justify the annual fee. It’s a great option for small-to-medium businesses that want value while keeping things simple.
Who Should Consider the Amex Business Platinum
This card is ideal for high-spending businesses that really want those premium perks. If you fly often, stay at luxury hotels, and want access to some of the best airport lounges, then check out the Amex Business Platinum. Add in the insane list of credits, and this card can easily pay for itself (again… if you actually use them). 😌
Bottom Line
Both of these cards earn transferable rewards, both come with premium travel perks, and both have strong earning potential.
The Venture X Business is the better choice if you want a simpler premium card with great built-in value and a lower fee.
The Amex Business Platinum is tough to beat if you want luxury perks, hotel status, and are willing to put in the work to maximize those credits.
Either way, your business spend will be working much harder for you (and your travel will level up big time).
Not vibing with either of these? Check out our curated list of the best business credit cards to compare more options.
