Earlier than adding the American Express Platinum Card® to my pockets, I analyzed my present bank card setup. The Amex Platinum’s $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) was greater than sufficient to immediate a assessment of my present technique.
On the time, I had just one card in my pockets with an annual price exceeding $200: the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. At $395 every year, the Enterprise X is among the many most affordable cards within the premium market. However was the Enterprise X worth keeping as soon as I added the Amex Platinum?
After weighing the professionals and cons, I made a decision to maintain each of those widespread premium journey rewards playing cards. These are the 4 elements that influenced my determination.
I earn two useful currencies
I am all about gathering transferable points and miles from every of the main issuers. I worth each American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles extremely. Plus, incomes each currencies provides me much more flexibility when making redemptions, as I unlock two units of transfer partners.
I wish to redeem Capital One miles for Delta Air Traces tickets, which I often e-book by SkyTeam alliance partner Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue. I just lately transferred 15,000 miles to Flying Blue to e-book two one-way home Delta flights.
These playing cards provide implausible welcome bonuses:
- Amex Platinum: New cardmembers can discover out their provide and could also be eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome gives fluctuate, and also you might not be eligible for a suggestion.) Per TPG’s December 2025 valuations, this bonus is value as much as $3,500.
- Venture X: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. TPG’s December 2025 valuations deem this provide value $1,850.
Associated: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
I pay with the Enterprise X — more often than not
I like utilizing my Venture X. It offers no less than 2 miles per greenback spent on all the things, which is a really strong incomes price.
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Conversely, my Amex Platinum is not your best option for almost all of my spending, because it earns 1 level per greenback spent on most purchases.
Nonetheless, it is available in clutch after I must e-book flights immediately or make lodge reservations by American Express Travel®, because it earns 5 factors per greenback spent in these classes (on as much as $500,000 of those purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback spent).
Associated: Why you should get a fixed-rate rewards credit card
I can entry extra airport lounges
I added the Amex Platinum partly for entry to the cardboard’s in depth American Express Global Lounge Collection (enrollment required).
I’ve loads of selections at most airports I go to. I like the Escape Lounge at my native Greenville-Spartanburg Worldwide Airport (GSP) in South Carolina. I count on to go to the Centurion Lounges at Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL), as I regularly join by these airports.
Plus, after I move by ATL on a same-day Delta ticket, I can burn up considered one of my 10 annual visits to the Delta Sky Club.*
*Spending $75,000 or extra on my card unlocks limitless Sky Membership visits.
The Venture X was my first card with lounge entry, and I’ve had implausible experiences of their issuer-branded lounges.
Since I’ve handed by Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) twice up to now 12 months for live shows, and I typically fly by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after I join on American Airways, it is sensible for me to maintain entry to the implausible Capital One lounges in these two airports.
Associated: The do’s and don’ts of visiting an airport lounge
I maximize assertion credit
This is a significant component when deciding whether it’s worth paying an annual fee.
Amex Platinum assertion credit
There’s a lengthy listing of statement credits supplied by the Amex Platinum. That is how I exploit 4 of my favorites:
- Airline fee credit: I obtain as much as $200 in assertion credit per calendar 12 months towards incidental charges on my one chosen U.S. airline. I exploit this after I must examine baggage on Delta, since I am going to often fly with them however haven’t got considered one of their cobranded playing cards or SkyMiles elite standing.
- Digital entertainment statement credit*: I get $25 off my YouTube TV subscription every month, utilizing as much as $300 in assertion credit per calendar 12 months towards eligible subscriptions.
- Dining statement credit*: I spent a $100 quarterly assertion credit score on date evening dinner and cocktails at The 07, a restaurant in my space. I obtain as much as $400 in assertion credit per calendar 12 months at taking part U.S. eating places affiliated with Resy (no reservation required; merely pay along with your card at an eligible restaurant).
- Hotel statement credit: I booked a two-night keep at The Learn Home, a historic lodge in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for under $236 out of pocket because of a biannual $300 credit score. I obtain as much as $600 in assertion credit per calendar 12 months towards pay as you go stays booked by Amex Journey at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties (break up into two $300 biannual assertion credit; two-night minimal at The Resort Assortment properties).
*Enrollment required
Enterprise X journey credit score
The Venture X would not have practically as lengthy a listing of credit, however its $300 annual travel credit for bookings made by Capital One Journey lowers the efficient annual price to $95 by itself.
Final 12 months, I used this credit score to get $300 off a three-night keep on the Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World.
Associated: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using this month
When it would not make sense
There are just a few cases the place it would not make sense for me to maintain each the Amex Platinum and Venture X.
- If I did not have an organized plan to maximise assertion credit throughout each playing cards, or if I did not intend to make assertion credit a precedence.
- If I did not plan to go to an Amex or Capital One lounge within the foreseeable future.
- If I wished to keep up a easy, one-card setup.
If any of those utilized to my scenario, I might downgrade to the $95 annual price Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card as an alternative of maintaining with the Enterprise X.
Associated: Why the Capital One Venture X could be the best option for your first premium card
Backside line
My pockets is certainly stronger with each the Amex Platinum and Venture X.
From elevated incomes charges to expansive lounge entry and high-value assertion credit, the perks on these two playing cards pair exceptionally properly. Their strengths fill in one another’s gaps, making a well-rounded setup that fits many several types of vacationers.
I’m assured these playing cards will meaningfully improve my upcoming journeys — and so they have already got.
To study extra about both card, learn our full opinions of the Amex Platinum and Venture X.
Apply right here: American Express Platinum Card
Be taught extra: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on here.
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