Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Amex vs. Capital One Credit Cards – Which Is Best? [2024]

Stephen Au's image
Stephen Au
Stephen Au's image

Stephen Au

Senior Content Contributor

486 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 24U.S. States Visited: 22

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used...
Learn more
Updated:
Edited by: Juan Ruiz
Juan Ruiz's image

Juan Ruiz

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

87 Published Articles 648 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 41U.S. States Visited: 28

Juan has extensive experience in writing and editing content related to credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel. He has been honing his expertise in this field for over a decade. His work has been ...
Learn more
& Kellie Jez
Kellie Jez's image

Kellie Jez

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1171 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10U.S. States Visited: 20

Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
Learn more
Amex vs. Capital One Credit Cards – Which Is Best? [2024]

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust

Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies.

  • Content by Leading Industry Experts
  • Routine Updates and Fact-Checks
  • First-Hand Credit Card Experience
  • Shared Across 200+ Top Outlets
  • Methodical “U.P. Rating

    The U.P. Rating System

    The ratings for these cards have been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
    ” System
  • 1024+ Expert Credit Card Guides

In the world of credit card rewards, American Express and Chase have some of the most exciting products. And although Amex is no stranger to exclusivity, luxury travel, and rewards, Capital One has recently started investing a ton of capital into beefing up its credit card products.

While American Express has offered cards with luxury travel benefits and travel rewards for as long as we can remember, Capital One is a relatively avant-garde addition to the luxury travel ecosystem.

In this guide, we help you compare American Express and Capital One cards head-to-head.

We’ve split up the various cards available into several different categories. Let’s see how Capital One Miles cards stack up against Amex Membership Rewards cards!

Comparing Amex Membership Rewards and Capital One Miles

Lufthansa B747-8 First Class Cabin - Cherag Dubash
Lufthansa first class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

American Express’ rewards program is known as Membership Rewards, and we generally refer to the points you earn and redeem on Amex Membership Rewards cards as Amex points or Amex Membership Rewards points.

Similarly, Capital One’s flagship travel rewards program is Capital One Miles, and miles earned or redeemed are generally referred to as Capital One miles.

Amex has its own suite of cards participating in Membership Rewards, and Capital One has different cards earning Capital One miles.

Each card has different accrual structures, benefits, and conditions for participation.

Currently, Amex Membership Rewards points can be used for:

  • Amex travel partners
  • Eligible airfare booked via Amex Travel using Pay With Points (which qualifies for an airline bonus of up to 35%)
  • Other airfare and travel booked through Amex Travel, including hotels and car rentals
  • Online merchandise
  • Amazon.com transactions
  • Best Buy purchases
  • Statement credits
  • PayPal purchases
  • Gift cards

Meanwhile, Capital One miles can be used for:

Of course, we always recommend leveraging transfer partnerships for maximum value.

Outside of transfers, Amex points can generally get you around 1.53 cents per point on airfare booked with the Pay With Points airline bonus, while Capital One miles max out at a value of 1 cent per mile.

Transfer Partnerships

Transferring rewards to airline and hotel partners is the way to get immense value from your points.

In this case, both Amex Membership Rewards and Capital One Miles maintain their own lists of transfer partners. Some airlines are transfer partners with both Amex and Capital One, while others are exclusive to just 1 of the banks.

For example, transfers to Emirates Skywards are possible with either Amex points or Capital One miles.

In most cases, American Express points are more valuable than Capital One miles for the simple reason Amex has better transfer partnerships like:

That said, Capital One does have a transfer partnership with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles that Amex does not, which boosts its value proposition slightly.

Lastly, Capital One has a transfer partnership with Wyndham Rewards, which allows you to book stays at Vacasa vacation rental properties using points.

We value Amex points at around 2.2 cents each and Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each.

Bottom Line: Amex points are generally more valuable than Capital One miles. Because Amex has many of the same transfer partners that Capital One does, plus other partners like Delta SkyMiles and ANA Mileage Club, we think Amex points are more useful. However, Capital One has transfer partnerships with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Wyndham Rewards that could potentially be lucrative for certain travelers.

Best Overall Travel Rewards Card

Travel
There’s nothing quite like getting a free vacation with your credit card spending. Image Credit: KaLisa Veer via Unsplash

If you’re looking for a fantastic midtier card to help you amass rewards as quickly as possible, Amex and Capital One both offer great options.

Winner: American Express® Gold Card

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Gold card is one of our favorite cards for everyday purchases, especially if you’re most concerned with racking up a ton of rewards.

This card offers a strong earning of up to 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar earned:

  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide, including delivery and takeout in the U.S.
  • 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year)
  • 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel
  • 1x points on other purchases

Earning 4x points is equivalent to an 8.8% return on spending, which is absolutely massive. If you earn 3x points, that’s equal to a 6.6% return on spending.

Even better, the Amex Gold card also offers up to $240 in statement credits every year:

  • Up to $120 per year in dining statement credits at participating restaurants, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar, select Shake Shack locations, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
  • Up to $120 per year in Uber Cash to use for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders

The Amex Gold card also has no preset spending limit*, basic travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees).

*No Preset Spending Limit means 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.

Runner-Up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card finishes as the runner-up, and it offers a similarly fabulous welcome offer and the capability of earning up to 5x Capital One miles:

  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases

Earning a minimum of 2x miles on all purchases is particularly impressive with this credit card — plus, there’s a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit and complimentary Hertz Five Star elite status.

The Capital One Venture card also comes with travel and emergency assistance services, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), authorized users for additional fees (rates & fees), and access to Capital One Miles.

Best Overall Business Card

Business cards are some of the most competitive card products out there — business owners typically spend significantly more than ordinary consumers. This section will show you our 2 favorite overall business cards between Amex and Capital One.

Winner: American Express® Business Gold Card

BEST FOR BONUSES
American Express® Business Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
70,000 points
$1,540
$375
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros

  • 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
    • NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
    • NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
    • NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
    • U.S. purchases at gas stations
    • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
    • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
  • 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • Trip delay insurance
  • Car rental insurance
  • Cell phone insurance

Cons

  • $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
  • Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
  • Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
  • *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

In this category, our favorite card is the Amex Business Gold card, which offers amazing rewards in a variety of categories.

This card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):

  • NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

Even better, your rewards are automatically adjusted on every billing statement, so you don’t need to worry about selecting bonus categories. If these bonus categories are maxed out every year, you end up with 600,000 Amex points, which are worth around $13,200, by our valuations.

The Amex Business Gold card even comes with access to The Hotel Collection, which entitles you to a $100 property credit and a room upgrade, subject to availability, on eligible hotel stays of at least 2 consecutive nights.

Lastly, the Amex Business Gold card has no preset spending limit*, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and no additional annual fees for employee cards after the first employee card fee of $50 (rates & fees).

*No Preset Spending Limit means 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.

Runner-Up: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
26.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

 

Pros

  • Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
  • Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free employee cards
  • Extended warranty coverage

 

Cons

  • Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that

 

  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 26.24% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

 

The Capital One Spark Miles card* is our runner-up business card, but this credit card has a totally different ideal cardholder than the Amex Business Gold card.

The card can earn up to 5x Capital One miles:

  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on other purchases

As you can see, the Capital One Spark Miles card doesn’t have extensive bonus categories like the Amex Business Gold card. Instead, it appeals to business owners who would rather earn fewer bonus rewards without worrying about bonus categories.

For benefits, the card offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, zero fraud liability, purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and employee cards for no additional annual fee.

*Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card

Airport lounge
Image Credit: Max Harlynking via Unsplash

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t cut any corners on the best experiences while traveling, you might like the idea of a premium travel rewards card.

These cards offer the best luxury travel perks out there, and we’ll show you which cards we love for this consumer segment.

Winner: The Platinum Card® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is, without a doubt, the undisputed winner in the premium travel rewards card sector. You can get up to 5x Membership Rewards points on purchases:

  • 5x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases every calendar year)
  • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
  • 1x points on other purchases

Earning up to 5x points is equivalent to a return on spending of around 11%, based on our valuations.

But we love this card mainly because of the luxury travel benefits. To start, the Amex Global Lounge Collection is accessible with the Amex Platinum card, which confers the best airport lounge access available from a single card. It covers these lounges:

Furthermore, this card gives you access to the incredible Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program and The Hotel Collection.

It even gets you fantastic elite status with Hilton Honors (Gold) and Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite) upon enrollment, as well as rental car status and/or privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National (enrollment required).

Even better, you get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit and a series of statement credits that could pay for the annual fee every year (enrollment required):

This card also has no preset spending limit*, no foreign transaction fees, excellent travel insurance, and more (rates & fees).

*No Preset Spending Limit means 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.

Runner-Up: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees)
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

 

Cons

  • $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

 

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Venture X card is Capital One’s flagship premium credit card. With a fantastic welcome offer and unique benefits, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the hottest cards on the market.

Expect to earn a maximum of 10x Capital One miles on purchases:

  • 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases

Additionally, you get a Capital One Travel credit of up to $300 and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus every year. This is on top of the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, unlimited complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges, and top-tier Hertz President’s Circle status.

The Capital One Venture X card also comes with cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), up to 4 authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees), purchase protection, extended warranty, and superb travel insurance.

Best Premium Travel Rewards Business Card

What if you love premium travel perks but you happen to be a business owner? That’s what this section is for!

Unfortunately, Capital One doesn’t offer a premium credit card for travel rewards. However, we are absolutely obsessed with Amex’s card offering in this space.

Winner: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

OUR BEST OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
  • Statement credits on select purchases with your card
  • 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
  • Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

  • High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card shares many similarities with the Amex Platinum card, but these are 2 totally different products with different benefits.

You’ll earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points on purchases:

  • 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
  • 1.5x points on purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more elsewhere (on up to $2 million in purchases every year)
  • 1x points on other purchases

Just like the Amex Platinum card, there’s no preset spending limit*, plus luxury travel benefits, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Fine Hotels & Resorts, The Hotel Collection, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment, and car rental perks with Avis, Hertz, and National upon enrollment.

*No Preset Spending Limit means 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.

Another difference is in the annual statement credits (enrollment required):

Another fabulous benefit the Amex Business Platinum card offers is the 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points on eligible flights through Amex Travel.

As usual, you also get travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Runner-Up: Capital One Venture X Business Card

Capital One Venture X Business Card

Capital One Venture X Business Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
150,000 miles
$2,700
$395
All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

Pros

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • No-additional-fee employee cards (rates and fees)
  • No preset spending limit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $395 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Travel bookings
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
  • Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
  • Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
  • Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture X Business card* packs a heavy punch for business owners. The card does have an annual fee, but you earn a sizeable welcome bonus offer: Earn 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents per mile, making your bonus miles worth $2,700 by that valuation.

The earning potential is limitless with the card. You earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases.

And, similar to the Amex Business Platinum card, the statement credits make this card worth applying for:

  • A $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Finally, you receive other cool travel perks, such as 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 toward travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, cardholder benefits toward Premier or Lifestyle Collections, complimentary access for you and 2 guests to over 1,300 lounges, and more.

*Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.

Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card

What if you’re in the market for a card that still earns rewards (maybe at a reduced rate) without an annual fee?

Capital One and Amex both offer great products!

Winner: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros

Cons

  • Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • No luxury travel or elite benefits
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One VentureOne card is the entry-level credit card in the Venture family. It has no annual fee (rates & fees), and it also earns up to 5x Capital One miles in addition to the solid welcome offer:

  • 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 1.25x miles on other purchases

Plus, this card comes with benefits like extended warranty protection, rental car insurance, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and authorized user cards for no additional annual fee (rates & fees).

Runner-up: The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

The Amex EveryDay® Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn 2x points at U.S. supermarkets on the first $6,000 spent in a year, and after 20+ purchases in a billing period, receive a 20% bonus on all points earned!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)All information about The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

Earn 2x points at U.S. supermarkets on the first $6,000 spent in a year, and after 20+ purchases in a billing period, receive a 20% bonus on all points earned!
Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases in your first 6 months.
10,000 points
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR, 18.24% to 29.24%
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The information for The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is a great option for those looking to start earning Amex Membership Rewards points without needing to pay an annual fee. Plus, the card rewards you the more often you use it by giving you a 20% bonus when you use your card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period.

Pros

  • 2x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1x
  • 2x points per $1 on travel purchases made through Amex Travel
  • 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
  • 20% bonus points when you make 20 purchases on your card in 1 billing period
  • No annual fee
  • Access to Amex transfer partners
  • Rental car insurance

Cons

  • Only offers 2 bonus categories
  • Doesn’t offer many benefits
  • Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases in your first 6 months.
  • Low intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 18.24% to 29.24%.
  • Earn 2X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1X).
  • 1X points on other purchases.
  • Use your Card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and earn 20% more points on those purchases less returns and credits. Terms apply.
  • Use Amex Offers at places you like to shop, dine, travel, and more. You can add as many Offers as you’d like to your Card, then just use that Card to pay, and enjoy rewards directly on your statement.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR, 18.24% to 29.24%
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex EveryDay card* is our runner-up no-annual-fee card, and it offers up to 2x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent:

  • 2x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 in purchases
  • 2x points on eligible purchases through Amex Travel
  • 1x points on all other purchases

In addition, this credit card has a bonus of 20% extra points on purchases if you use your card 20 or more times within a billing period.

The Amex Everyday card has full access to Membership Rewards, and authorized users can be added for no additional annual fee.

*All information about The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by UpgradedPoints.

Best No-Annual-Fee Business Card

If you like business credit cards with no annual fee, this next section is for you!

Winner: The Blue Business® Plus Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros

  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost

Cons

  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the leading business credit cards, and it has no annual fee (rates & fees). Rewards include:

  • 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year)

After that, you get 1x points per dollar spent. That means you’d earn 100,000 Amex points when maxing out the 2x points structure. That’s a return on spending of 4.4%!

This card can transfer points to travel partners, access to Amex Offers, and employee cards for no additional annual fee (rates & fees).

Runner-Up: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
$0
0% Intro APR for the first 9 months after account opening,Ongoing APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable

 

The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is an excellent option for business owners looking for straightforward earning with no blackout dates, no seat restrictions, and no minimum when redeeming your miles.

  • Earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get unlimited 1.5 miles on every purchase with your business credit card with no blackouts or seat restrictions, and no minimum to redeem.
  • Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel.
  • Use your miles on flights, hotels, vacation packages and more—you can even transfer miles to any of our 15+ travel partners.
  • We’ve got you covered with zero fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen. Plus, get automatic fraud alerts via text, email or phone call.
  • 0% intro APR for 9 months; 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR after that.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for the first 9 months after account opening,Ongoing APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Our runner-up card is the Capital One Spark Miles Select card*, which comes with up to 5x Capital One miles earned:

  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 1.5x miles on all other purchases

Although the rewards are uncapped (in contrast to the $50,000 cap imposed on the Amex Business Platinum card for the 2x rewards), the standard rewards structure of 1.5x miles is lower than the 2x points offered by the Amex Blue Business Plus card.

Earning 1.5x Capital One miles equals a return on spending of 2.7%.

The Capital One Spark Miles Select card comes with zero fraud liability, purchase protection, extended warranty, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, secondary rental car insurance, and employee cards for no additional annual fees.

*Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.

Best Card for Cash-Back

Jar of coins
Image Credit: micheile dot com via Unsplash

Believe it or not, Amex and Capital One both offer some of the best cash-back rewards in the business despite being known for their travel rewards programs.

Here are our top picks!

Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

HIGHEST CASH BACK
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros

  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Cons

  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
  • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

For cash-back, it’s a tall order to beat the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card. This is especially true considering the hefty welcome bonus and ability to get up to 6% cash-back:

  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1% thereafter)
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations
  • 3% cash-back on transit (including ride-shares, parking, etc.)
  • 1% cash-back on other purchases

Also, this impressive cash-back credit card gets you up to $120 in Equinox+ credits every year (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and no additional annual fees for authorized users (rates & fees).

Runner-Up: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$300
$95
20.74%-28.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

 

When it comes to rewards credit cards, you can break up most savvy consumers into 2 camps: those who prefer travel rewards and those who prefer cash-back.

Both options can be very lucrative to you and your wallet, especially if you’re using the right card. For those who fall in the “cash is king” camp, you’ll likely find the Capital One Savor card quite compelling.

Pros

  • 10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats
  • 8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment
  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 4% cash-back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
  • 3% cash-back at grocery stores
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases
  • Complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024
  • Roadside assistance and rental car insurance
  • Purchase protection/price protection/extended warranty
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • This is strictly a cash-back card, so it features no travel rewards like other cards offer
  • Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment.
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.74%-28.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:

Card Categories

The oh-so-famous Capital One Savor card* is the king of cash-back credit cards. It earns up to 8% cash-back and comes with an awesome welcome offer:

  • 8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 4% cash-back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
  • 3% cash-back at grocery stores
  • 1% cash-back on other purchases

Building up cash-back rewards is super easy with this credit card, and you even get purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, zero fraud liability, and no-annual-fee authorized user cards.

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Cash-Back

Those who love the idea of maximizing cash-back without paying an annual fee will be impressed by what American Express and Capital One have to offer.

The aforementioned cards are the category leaders for cash-back, but they both have annual fees. Here are the best cash-back cards with no annual fee.

Winner: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros

  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
  • Monthly credit towards Home Chef

Cons

  • Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Our favorite cash-back credit card without an annual fee (rates & fees) is the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, which has a great welcome bonus and up to 3% cash-back rewards:

  • 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, 1% after that)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, 1% after that)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year, 1% after that)
  • 1% cash-back on everything else

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card also offers statement credits upon enrollment:

  • Up to $7 back monthly after using your Amex Blue Cash Everyday card to spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
  • Earn up to $15 back monthly, an annual savings of up to $180, when you order online at Home Chef

Lastly, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card lets you add authorized users with no additional annual fees (rates & fees).

Runner-Up: Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One SavorOne card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Capital One SavorOne card is a phenomenal option when it comes to no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards. With popular bonus categories like dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and the ability to earn 3% cash-back on these purchases, it is easy to see why those who use the card can earn some serious cash-back throughout the year.

The card also offers the ability to take your rewards and experiences even further by offering access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.

Pros

  • 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Capital One Dining, Capital One Travel, and Capital One Entertainment

Cons

  • Rewards are purely cash-back, so there is no access to outsized travel rewards redemptions
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

The no-annual fee version of the Capital One Savor card is the Capital One SavorOne card (rates & fees), which offers:

  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Currently, the Capital One SavorOne card has a decent welcome offer, which also includes a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; variable rate of 19.99% - 29.99% thereafter (rates & fees).

Of course, this card has no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), extended warranty coverage, zero liability fraud protection, and authorized users for no additional annual fees (rates & fees).

Best Business Card for Cash-Back

The very last category in this guide is cash-back business credit cards. And it’s definitely one worth discussing, so here are the best options!

Winner: Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

Capital One Spark Cash Plus CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.
Earn $1,200 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
$1,200
$150
N/A
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love (rates & fees).

Pros

  • Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • No preset spending limit
  • Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000 (rates & fees)
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Extended warranty coverage
  • Payment flexibility (pick your own due date)

Cons

  • Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
  • Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
  • $150 annual fee
  • Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: N/A
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card* is one of the most popular business cards in the world and happens to be one of Capital One’s few charge cards.

It has a substantial welcome bonus and the ability to earn up to 5% cash-back:

  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
  • 2% cash-back on all other purchases

What’s awesome about this card is that it has no preset spending limit, which makes it work more like a charge card than a traditional credit card.

There’s huge potential to get 2% cash-back on all your business purchases, and you can even get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.

Of course, the standard perks apply, such as zero fraud liability, purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance, extended warranty coverage, and employee cards for no additional annual fee.

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Runner-Up: The Plum Card® from American Express

The Plum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Plum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Instead of normal cash-back, get an unlimited 1.5% discount when you pay early for eligible days within 10 days of your statement closing date. The discount will be applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Plum Card® from American Express

Instead of normal cash-back, get an unlimited 1.5% discount when you pay early for eligible days within 10 days of your statement closing date. The discount will be applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
No Welcome Offer
No Welcome Offer
$0
$250
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

Cash flow can be unpredictable. Sometimes you can pay bills right away, and other times it may be easier to wait. Either way works out in your favor with The Plum Card® from American Express!

With this card, you can pay your bill early and get an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges within 10 days of your statement closing date. You’ll see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the please pay by date. Alternatively, you can take up to 60 days to pay with no interest, when you pay your minimum due by the payment due date.

For those who run seasonal businesses or whose incoming cash flow is unpredictable, the card can provide you with payment alternatives that most other cards don’t.

  • Paying early pays off: get an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
  • Take up to 60 days to pay with no interest‡, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date.
  • Use the power of the Plum Card to buy big for your business.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.‡
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

There is no special rewards center for this card; the cash-back earned will be applied directly to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.

Our runner-up card is one of the most under-the-radar choices available: the Amex Plum card. But don’t sleep on it, because it could be one of the most useful cards in your wallet.

Sure, there’s no welcome bonus offer, but you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the minimum payment due on time.

Plus, the Amex Plum card gives you up to 60 days to pay without interest (only the minimum payment is due by your payment due date).

It has no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), access to Amex Offers, and employee cards for no additional annual fee (rates & fees), and more.

Final Thoughts

Working from the list of credit cards and charge cards above, you can max out your rewards and benefits with a selection of different options.

Which card is best for you ultimately depends on whether you’re looking for top-shelf rewards, luxury travel benefits, cash-back rewards, low or no annual fees, or specific niche perks.

At the end of the day, both Amex and Capital One bring a lot of value to the table, so the choice is yours!

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 
The information regarding the Capital One SavorOne Card Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Plum Card® from American Express, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Express better than Capital One?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. In general, Amex cards are better than Capital One. However, for certain niche consumers or business owners, Capital One may have a better credit card offering than Amex.

Is the Amex Platinum card the best card?

For luxury travel benefits, it’s very difficult to beat the Amex Platinum card. That’s because Amex has invested a ton of planning and research into developing a thoughtful list of perks that travelers find valuable.

But if you’re looking for simple cash-back rewards without an annual fee, it’s likely not the best card for you.

Which is better, the Capital One Venture X card or Amex Platinum card?

We think the Amex Platinum card outperforms the Capital One Venture X card. Although the Capital One Venture X card offers specific perks such as access to Capital One Lounges and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus every cardmember year, the Amex Platinum card offers a whole new universe of benefits, ranging from the best airport lounge access to hotel elite status, and more. Check out our detailed comparison: Capital One Venture X card vs. Amex Platinum card.

What is better, the Capital One Venture X card or the Amex Gold card?

The Capital One Venture X card and Amex Gold card are fundamentally different products that are difficult to compare.

The Amex Gold card focuses more on rewards for everyday spending, such as dining and U.S. supermarkets, while the Capital One Venture X card offers travel benefits and appeals more to the spender who doesn’t want to worry about bonus categories.

They’re both great!

See how these cards compare head-to-head in our article: Capital One Venture X Card vs. Amex Gold Card [Detailed Comparison].

Stephen Au's image

About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

Read More

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Related Posts

Capital One Spark Miles for Business — Full Review [2024]
Capital One Spark Miles for Business — Full Review [2024]
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One – Review
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One – Review
Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program Review [2024]
Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program Review [2024]
Kroger REWARDS World Mastercard®- Review [2023]
Kroger REWARDS World Mastercard®- Review [2023]

Upgrade your travel experience

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertiser Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Policy | Cookie Policy

© 2024 Upgraded Points™, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

DMCA.com Protection Status

Disclaimer: Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice.

Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer.