Capital One Venture X easily. While they don't have transfer partners, their travel portal doesn't have price inflation like Amex does. I easily use this for Frontier and Spirit flights and also budget airlines in Asia and Europe. Amex is too much like a coupon book but they still do have a more expansive lounge network.
🐆 I think the VX just makes more sense. You get so much value with such little work. I'm addition, the multipliers are much better. The real value is transferring out for that business class flight, and VX does that better than the platinum. Granted, hotel status is nice, but aside from the free breakfast, I don't see much benefit in it. When I travel, I don't tend to stay in the hotel for too long. I wake up, do what I need to do, then head out for the day. Very rarely do I spend a lot of time in the hotel, so it wouldn't matter to me if I'm in a suite or regular room with 2 queen beds. I think a lot of people who get the platinum card just get it because it's a status symbol, not because it's the best card for their situation.
I got the Platinum in 2004, I would say I really value the Fine Hotels and Resorts program. It is a well curated listed of hotels globally. If I land in India, as I did the first time, I knew that the Fine Hotels and Resorts hotels would be to my linking. The Imperial in New Delhi was exceptional. I also discovered Aman through the program too and their hotels are now my all-time favourites now. The Amex travel concierge also got me out of house arrest in Cuba: I would have gone to some rat hole jail with any other card in my wallet!
One huge benefit most don't know about the Amex Platinum is that you can status match the hotel status to Caesar's Rewards Diamond status and get 3-4 free nights at Atlantis in the Bahamas for 2 people and for extra guests in the room its only about $50 per person per night. As a Ceasar's diamond status member you get free nights at Atlantis, so as soon as you status match you can book your nights. Basically a heavily subsidized vacation.
Multipliers are better.? How does it do booking direct with a hotel or airline..... dinning........ride share........x2. . A chase unlimited at 1.5 is 2.25 if your pro portal.. and if your vx you have to be or the whole $300 credit falls apart.
As someone who flies 10 times per year internationally and domestically to places with good centurion lounges, sky clubs, and other lounges, the platinum is much more valuable to me than the VX would be. In addition to the credits, their offers can add another few hundred in savings per year, putting me and my wife at a negative annual fee for a card that gives us lounge access, Clear, status with various hotels and car rentals, etc.
🦁 One benefit that is rarely mentioned with the Platinum, is that you also have the option to add several free companion authorized users that get free global entry $00 credit. I have 3 free AUs and use that benefit. Thanks for the info Sebby!🙏
For me the best card is the one which approves me and want me as a client. Tired of those banks with lots of rules for application And so far Amex being the only one for me
🐆The Venture X booted the CFU out of my Chase lineup as a catch-all card. My wife does have an Amex Platinum and we've found the best way to use the Saks credit is for her to just order some make-up she'd normally buy every 6 months. It's the one thing where their prices aren't through the roof.
Team both. There's no reason NOT to get the C1VX cause the credit is so easy to use. Amex takes a bit more work to get value from but its do-able with 2 AUs. Amex concierge service rocks - they planned a daddy-daughter weekend in NYC for me, including Disney on Broadway.
If you live in the Washington DC area, the Venture X is a no brainer. Cap One Lounge open at IAD and new Jose Andres designed one coming soon to DCA. 2x back on non-travel category purchases. Combine with the Amex Gold 4x back on groceries and restaurants. Transfer points out to common travel partners. Skip the $50 face wash at Saks.
Think the Venture X fits a bit more seamlessly into a primarily cash back setup as well. As you mentioned, it can be a "2x" card for non-bonus category spend. And does this for an effective -$5 fee...plus great benefits. Pay your cell bill with it, get insurance. Pay for a new microwave with it, get an extra year of warranty. Cards like the DoubleCash, PayPal, or Active Cash just can't compete. Of course, that assumes that the user takes at least one trip each year so that the credits aren't wasted.
@@aaront936 Each to their own. That lense seems much like saying that a vehicle is only a glorified piece of art unless you drive it, as it’s designed for. But even so, in a cash back setup, without other more compelling options for no annual fee travel cards, and a bunch of lackluster (I.e. few or no benefits, charging foreign transaction fees, etc.) 2% cards. A glorified 2x card is still better than a not so glorified one. While I can agree that not having to use a portal would be preferable, I’ve found Capital One’s portal to be intuitive and price competitive. And since I’m fairly agnostic about what hotels and airlines I use (making status mostly a benign benefit for me), I get the 10x/5x benefit most of the time when I travel.
@@mohitshah9048 Sure. Pages 12-14 of the Capital One Visa Infinite Benefits guide describes the coverage and protection of the extended warranty program. In short if you purchase an eligible product with a manufacturer warranty of three years or less, and register the purchase, an additional year will be added to the warranty. So a 6 month warranty effectively becomes 18 months. Some purchases (e.g. boats) don’t qualify, and registration needs to be done on the product with card benefits service.
🦁 Amex Platinum for the lounge access. After retiring from the military, the USO is no longer a guarantee. The USO only admits retirees on a space-available basis so I keep the Plat on hand in case I need a backup lounge.
🦁I think the number of Centurion lounges is keeping me on Amex, but as soon as more CO lounges open up in relevant airports (BOS, LHR, MIA, ORD, JFK) then I will jump ship in a heartbeat
Capital One also has no price inflation in their travel portal. So what they lack in transfer partners you have no price inflation and access to Frontier, Spirit flights plus budget airlines overseas. Venture X also doesn't feel like a coupon book.
One of my favorite underrated perks for AMEX platinum is the Cruise Privilege Program. We get on board credit and additional specialty dining and a bottle of champagne or wine. Also get an additional point once cruise is completed. We cruise 3-4 time a year so for us the extra points works out. (we tend to cruise with family also so we book all of their cruises too and get the points 🙂)
Venture X. Even though they don’t have great transfer partners, I use their points for budget airlines while in Asia. Their portal has no price inflation really.
🐅Thanks for keeping the information current on the pros and cons of these two great cards. How can you go wrong with the Venture X card with the $300 and $100 credits? It’s basically a free card. They also pay my global entry fees. Lastly, the fact that they don’t charge me extra for my wife and daughter’s card makes it a no brainer.🐅
Platinum is the most useless card I have ever owned. I do not use it for anything other than redeeming the credits that I prepaid for. Earning categories are horrible. Sign up bonus is the only good thing about this card. I will most definitely be cancelling it. C1 VX is for the WIN! AN amazing card that can be used for everything.
VX got the best bang for a buck !!! Capital one lounges are hands down better than Amex lounges. I don’t like going through coupon books . You know what I m referring.
🐆 Had the platinum, changed to VX. So happy I did. Better fit for me, easy to get value, love having free AUs. The Platinum felt stressful to get good consistent value from year after year. VX gives me value blindfolded.
🦁Amex Plat hands down. Their customer service, earnings rate, and transfer partners are unparalleled. Plus, C1 won't accept me and I want that Black card someday.
Love it for the broad lounge access. Centurion, Delta, Escape and others you can only get access to on a Plat. Vx’s choices are a lot less now that they also took away restaurants.
There is no comparison with the Male Lion and the leopard. The Lion is the King. 😂🤣 Just kidding. Both cards are equally good my opinion. I use both of them. Great information. Keep up the good work. ✌️👍🏿
I am considering these cards. It looks like the Plat makes more sense to me with the much higher SUB (175,000) and an effective AF of $200 and also factoring the authorized user. $1,750 (SUB) - 200 (effective AF) = $1,550 - $195 (authorized user) = $1,355. Venture X is $750 (SUB) + $5 (effective AF) = $755. Plus I prefer the transfer partners of AmEx (and I have the Gold). Am I missing anything in my analysis? Looks like a clear cut case for the Plat.
🦁 Been watching the channel here and there but finally subscribed. Have been on the Cash Back team for a couple years and have been looking to using points instead and this channel has been super helpful. Thanks for the content!
They are building several more. I’ve been to both, Capital one and Amex lounges and it’s no contest. If capital one can create plenty more lounges, more people would switch. It’s night and day.
What I love the most is all the options. There is a travel cart out there to fit your personal needs. I personally have the MS platinum. And I travel on a plane about seven times a year None of it business travel. So this card fits my need. There is no one right card for everybody. Thank you for the video
🦁 I use everything except Equinox or anything related to Equinox! I had never heard of it before! I seriously think they should have tailored the gym credit regionally. In the Southwest,, L.A. Fitness or Lifetime Fitness. I don't know about other markets.
@@sharell814 Yeah, I get that but what I am saying is Equinox is not available in our market here in the southwest. It would simply be nice to give folks a choice of gyms available in their market.
🐆 1. Favorite benefit would be all the points benefits including the annual anniversary bonus. 2. No stories for the cards. I’d like to try the Amex platinum, but the credits don’t make sense for me. I wouldn’t use enough of them to offset most of the annual fee. Maybe the revamp will change that?
🐆 Team VX. The credits on this card are much simpler. I was able to use the plaza premium lounge in Cancun and was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for all you do Sebi. You’re my hero.
No priority pass or capital one lounges near me but there is a centurion, so I am considering the platinum for sure, I'll def at least get it for the first year! Great comparison video !
🐆 I have 3 authorized users and I live that I can get my family of 5 into the lounge. The $300 credit is easy to use and I get way more than 2 cpp though the Turkish devaluation does hurt.
🦁Recently got the Plat for the SUB and 5x flight multiplier. Whether I keep it long term depends on how I adapt to the coupon book. Venture X looks very solid
I have the Platinum Card and the Citi Trifecta. One of the best benefits of the Platinum is undoubtedly the Rakuten point conversion. Big purchases can net you 5,10, even 20k points in one shot if you get the right multiple. With all these cards I get a point multiple on every single dollar I spend and Citi gives a 1:1 transfer to JetBlue unlike Amex which is clutch as I’m based in a big JetBlue area.
I knew venture x got rid of priority pass restaurants, but I didn't realize they got rid of ALL non-lounge experiences. Had an awkward moment in ATL as I was getting declined from a minute suite.
The platinum card annual fee is almost $700 but interestingly I've been able to offset this pretty well with the hertz presidents circle status and platinum cdp discount along with the extended warranty. For the hertz related perks I've received upgrades over $400 in value each time and used the free 4 hours extended rental perks so I save money there. For the extended warranty our dryer broke so I filed a claim and was fully refunded by Amex for the original purchase of the dryer.
🐆 I love this card cause my entire family can be AU without paying extra. Favorite Benefits are lounge access and $300 travel credit. Question: I know there is travel insurance on these cards but do you feel it’s enough? Should we be buying additional travelers insurance like Allianz?
I like to stay at different type of hotels and don't necessarily care about hotel loyalty status as I dont travel enough to justify them. The 10x booking from C1 is a gem and 4-star or 5-star hotels outside of US is not to be scoffed at, along with its price match guarantee I'm for sure team Venture X.
Is there any merit in having both? I'm already an Amex Plat and Gold card holder (as well as a few other cards), but I've been interested in getting the Venture X for some time now. The annual fee isn't much of a concern as I typically get the value I need out of all my cards, but I also don't want to grab the Venture X if it's not going to provide additional value (outside of the initial bonus).
🐆 for now as we are new to the game. My p2 just got approved for the venture x! Are there any negatives to becoming an authorized user? Might it affect 5/24 , or my ability to get it down the road? Also, headed to Andaz Papagayo in Nov!
Btw I want to ask you a question, I booked award flight from Delta by transferring my amex business platinum MR points to my delta skymiles, the charge posted in my amex platinum just for the small fee. I’m wondering if that kind of trip also covered in trip insurance provided by amex platinum? Or I have to purchase stand alone trip insurance?
Hey sebby! I already have the venture x and have the enrollment bonus secured already. These next couple of months I’m expecting a lot of expenses for things like furniture and home upgrades. What cards should I be considering when it comes to bonuses, I’m Ilooking at the gold and platinum card to grab both bonuses but not sure how to calculate if it’s smart or not
We love the AMEX Platinum but are looking to switch to Venture X. Mostly, the annual price for two about $1,000 and we want to get our kids in the airport lounge.
Thinking of getting the Venture X. Honestly Centurion lounge are so packed. I noticed priority pass lounges weren't as nice but way less packed and good enough to get some food and leave.
Do authorized users on a venture x also get to bring in unlimited guests using their own priority pass or is that perk for unlimited guests only for the cardholder?
Closed my Plat card after 14 years. Tired of keeping track of all the tiny credits and whether if I used them; and the lackluster point earnings even with an outrageous AF. Got a VX to replace it, and used the $300 credit on the 2nd day for my upcoming travel.
