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. (See rates and fees.)
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 ($695) may be worth it. But that can take a lot of effort.
Capital One Venture X Business
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Bonus offer
Up to 350,000 Miles
150,000
points
Rewards
2x-10x
1x-5x
points
Other perks
$120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
$300 credit for bookings through Capital One’s travel portal.
Complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges, including Capital One, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group lounges.
Up to $200 statement credit annually for incidental fees on one airline (not including airfare or seat upgrades).
Up to $199 statement credit annually toward the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership when you pay for it with your Business Platinum Card.
Up to $120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee when it’s charged to the card.
Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges.
Automatic Hilton Honors™ Gold Status Gold status, Marriott Gold Elite status.
$400 Dell statement credit annually.
Terms and conditions apply.
Venture X Business vs. AmEx Business Platinum Card: deciding factors
🏆 Winner: Venture X Business
The math on this one is simple. The annual fee on the Capital One Venture X Business is $395 (see rates and fees). The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is almost double that at $695.
Both fees can be recouped with each card’s benefits. It just takes a lot more effort to cancel out that $695 each year.
🏆 Winner: Toss-up
You can net a mess of points with either card’s bonus offer.
If your company spends heavily, the current limited-time offer from the Venture X Business is hard to beat.
For a limited time, earn up to 350,000 bonus miles: 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 200,000 miles once you spend $200,000 in the first 6 months.
But the Business Platinum’s current welcome offer is arguably more attainable and can directly offset the cost of upcoming travel.
Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25. Terms Apply.
🏆 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’s booking site.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express only earns 1X point per $1 on most purchases. Sure, you’ll get 1.5X 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.
🏆 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.
The Venture X Business Card’s list of benefits is shorter than the Business Platinum, but simpler.
$300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One’s travel portal.
$120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
Access to more than 1,300 airport lounges, including Capital One, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group lounges.
The Business Platinum Card, on the other hand, has a list of perks a mile long — the trick is to use them. It doesn’t hurt that the list includes access to AmEx’s own Centurion airport lounges; those are a favorite among frequent travelers and truly a members-only lounge. You can’t purchase a membership or day pass.
$200 annual statement credit for incidental fees (baggage, entertainment, etc.) on one airline that you select each year.
$199 annual statement credit toward the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership when you pay for it with your Business Platinum Card.
$120 statement credit on Global Entry application fee, or $85 for TSA PreCheck®, when it’s charged to the card.
$200 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at Hilton properties.
Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges
Automatic Gold status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs.
$400 Dell statement credit annually.
$360 Indeed statement credit (up to $90 quarterly).
$120 in statement credits per year ($10 per month) for wireless phone service.
$150 Adobe statement credits each year for eligible prepaid business plan purchases.
Enrollment required. Terms and conditions apply.
🏆 Winner: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Venture X Business Card is a true business charge card, so all charges must be paid 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: This is an optional feature that allows you to carry a balance, with interest, from one month to the next, just like purchases on a regular credit card. If you have this option activated, eligible purchases of $100 or more are automatically classified as Pay Over Time. The ongoing APR is 18.49%-27.49% 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.
The card does, however, impose a limit on your Pay Over Time balance. any purchases above that limit become Pay In Full. Terms apply.
Pay In Full: These purchases must be paid off 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.
