before adding American Express Platinum Card® In my wallet, I analyzed my current credit card setup. The $895 annual fee for the American Express Platinum Card (see Rates and Fees) was enough to prompt me to reexamine my current strategy.
At the time, I only had one card in my wallet with an annual fee of over $200: the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. At $395 per year, the Venture X is one of the most affordable cards at the high end of the market. But once I add the Amex Platinum, is the Venture X still worth keeping?
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to keep these two popular premium travel rewards cards. Here are four factors that influenced my decision.
I earned two valuable currencies
I work on collecting transferable points and miles from every major issuer. I’m a big fan of American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles. Plus, earning two currencies gives me more flexibility when exchanging because I unlock two sets of transfer partners.
I like to redeem Capital One Miles for Delta flights, which I usually book through SkyTeam partner Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue. I recently transferred 15,000 miles to Flying Blue and booked two one-way domestic Delta flights.
These cards offer great welcome bonuses:
- American Express Platinum Card: New Cardmembers can learn about their offers and may be eligible for up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in purchases within their first six months as a Cardmember. (Welcome offers vary and you may not qualify for them.) This bonus is worth up to $3,500 based on TPG’s December 2025 valuation.
- EntrepreneurshipX: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. TPG’s December 2025 valuation puts this offer at $1,850.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
I pay with Venture X most of the time
I love using Venture X. It provides at least 2 miles for every $1 spent, which is a very stable earning rate.
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On the contrary, my American Express Platinum Card This isn’t the best option for most of my spending since most purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent.
However, it comes in handy when I need to book a flight directly or book a hotel through American Express Travel®, as I earn 5 points per $1 spent in these categories (1 point per $1 spent up to a maximum of $500,000 in such purchases per calendar year).
Related: Why You Should Get a Fixed-Rate Rewards Credit Card
I have access to more airport lounges
I added American Express Platinum Card Partially toward access to the card’s extensive American Express Global Lounge Collection (registration required).
Most airports I visit have lots of options. I love the Escape Lounge at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina. I expected to visit the Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) since I transfer through these airports frequently.
Plus, when I fly through ATL with a Delta same-day ticket, I get to use one of my 10 annual visits to the Delta Sky Club. *
*Unlimited access to Club Sky when you spend $75,000 or more on my card.
Venture
Since I’ve passed through Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas for concerts twice in the past year, and I often fly through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) when I connect with American Airlines, it made sense to me to retain access to the excellent Capital One lounges at both airports.
RELATED: Things to know when visiting an airport lounge
I maximize statement credit
This is a major factor in deciding whether it’s worth paying the annual fee.
American Express Platinum Statement Points
There is a long list, consisting of American Express Platinum Card. This is how I use four of my favorites:
- airline fee credits: I can get up to $200 in bill points per calendar year to pay for incidentals on a U.S. airline of my choice. I use this when I need to check a bag at Delta because I fly Delta occasionally but don’t have their co-branded card or SkyMiles elite status.
- Digital Entertainment Statement Credit*: Get $25 per month off my YouTube TV subscription, with up to $300 in statement credit available each calendar year toward qualifying subscription purchases.
- Dining bill points*: I spent $100 in quarterly bill points on a date night dinner and cocktails at The 07 restaurant in my area. I earn up to $400 in bill points each calendar year at participating Resy-affiliated U.S. restaurants (no reservation required; just pay with your card at qualifying restaurants).
- hotel bill credit: I booked a two-night stay at The Read House, a historic hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and spent only $236 out of pocket thanks to a $300 biennial credit. For prepaid stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties booked through Amex Travel, I can earn up to $600 in statement credits per calendar year (split into two $300 bill credits per year; minimum stay of two nights at The Hotel Collection hotels).
*Registration required
Venture X Travel Points
The Venture
Last year, I used the points to get a $300 discount on a three-night stay at the Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World.
Related: Credit card perks and perks you should be using this month
when it doesn’t make sense
In some cases it doesn’t make sense for me to keep both options American Express Platinum Card and Venture Capital X.
- If I didn’t have an organized plan for maximizing statement points on both cards, or if I wasn’t going to prioritize statement points.
- If I don’t plan on going to an American Express or Capital One lounge in the foreseeable future.
- If I want to keep a simple single card setup.
If any of this applies to my situation, I’d downgrade to the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card with a $95 annual fee instead of keeping up with Venture X.
Related: Why the Capital One Venture X might be the best choice for your first premium card
bottom line
There is no doubt that my wallet is stronger American Express Platinum Card and Venture Capital X.
From higher earn rates to extensive lounge access and high-value statement points, the perks on both cards are perfect. Their strengths complement each other, creating a well-rounded setup suitable for many different types of travelers.
I believed these cards would greatly enhance my upcoming travels – and they have done just that.
To learn more about both cards, read our full review of the Amex Platinum and Venture X.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Learn more: Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
