Venture X Business vs. AmEx Business Platinum: Which Card Should You Choose?
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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Business are atop NerdWallet's list of the best business travel cards. But which is better for you? The choice comes down to the perks you want and how much work you’ll put in to maximize them.
The case for the Venture X Business Card is an easy one. You get a high rewards rate and straightforward perks, including a $300 annual travel credit that nearly cancels out the card’s $395 annual fee.
The argument for The Business Platinum card is more complicated. This card has a lower reward rate than the Venture X Business but a lot more perks . Many of those extras are coupon-style discounts on software or travel. If you cash those all in each year, the card’s sky-high annual fee ($895) may be worth it. But that can take a lot of effort.
How the cards compare
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual fee
$395
$895
Bonus offer
150,000
miles
200,000
points
Rewards
2x-10x
miles
1x-5x
points
Venture X Business vs. AmEx Business Platinum Card: deciding factors
Annual fee
🏆 Winner: Venture X Business
The math on this one is simple. The annual fee on the Capital One Venture X Business is $395. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is more than double that at $895.
Both fees can be recouped with each card’s benefits. It just takes a lot more effort to cancel out that $895 each year.
Note: The annual fee on your business credit card is tax deductible if you use the card exclusively for business purposes.
Welcome offer
🏆 Winner: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum’s current welcome offer gives you more points for less spend. It's the more attainable and more valuable option.
Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Ongoing rewards
🏆 Winner: Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business earns twice the rewards for half the price. That’s hard to ignore. You get 2X miles on every $1 spent and can earn higher rewards (5-10X miles) on travel booked through Capital One Business Travel.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express only earns 1X point per $1 on most purchases. Sure, you’ll get 2X points in select categories (up to $2 million per card account per calendar year) and 5X points on travel booked via AmexTravel.com. Terms apply. But the truth is, you’ll get more points per $1 from virtually any other business travel card than you will from the Business Platinum.
Perks
🏆 Winner: Toss-up
The Business Platinum and Venture X Business both come with a cache of useful perks.
The difference comes down to which ones you’ll actually use — and, perhaps, which airport lounges you prefer.
| Capital One Venture X Business | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express* | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel credits |
|
|
| Airport security |
|
|
| Lounge access |
|
|
| Hotel perks |
|
|
| Business credits |
|
|
| *Enrollment required. Terms and conditions apply. | ||
Payment terms
🏆 Winner: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Venture X Business Card is a true business charge card, so you must pay all charges in full each month.
The Business Platinum Card affords a bit more flexibility for those who need it, with pay-in-full and pay-over-time options.
Pay Over Time: If you activate this optional feature, AmEx automatically classifies eligible purchases of $100 or more as Pay Over Time. The ongoing APR is 17.74%-28.49% Variable APR.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does not have a preset spending limit, meaning your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
There is a limit on your Pay Over Time balance, though. Any purchases above that limit become Pay In Full. Terms apply.
Pay In Full: You must pay off these purchases completely each month, so they do not incur interest. All purchases of less than $100 are Pay In Full, as are any purchases over your Pay Over Time balance limit. If you choose not to use Pay Over Time, then all purchases are Pay In Full. Terms apply.
Which card should you get?
We’d pick the Capital One Venture X Business for most businesses, thanks to its lower annual fee, higher ongoing rewards and straightforward travel perks.
But if you’re after elite status and entry into Centurion lounges, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express may be just the ticket.
Notes from card issuers
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
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