Choosing the Right Travel Credit Card: American Express Gold vs. Capital One Venture
Deciding on the best travel credit card can be tricky, especially with so many options on the market. Two popular contenders, the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, offer compelling benefits for travelers. This article explores their key features, rewards programs, redemption options, and perks to help you determine which card is the perfect fit for your travel spending habits.
Key Takeaways:
- Amex Gold shines for frequent diners and grocery shoppers with its 4X points on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has an extensive list of statement credits, making it potentially the most rewarding card for those who utilize its benefits.
- Capital One Venture offers straightforward 2X miles on all purchases and a generous welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles. Its redemption flexibility with miles worth at least 1 cent each towards any travel purchase makes it an attractive option for those seeking simplicity.
- Both cards offer transferable rewards programs, valuable travel perks, and strong lists of transfer partners.
Annual Fee
The Capital One Venture card offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, you receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first cardholder year.
The American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, through Nov. 6, 2024, new cardmembers also qualify for 20% back on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide for the first six months of card membership (up to $100 back).
Winner: Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture card’s intro offer is worth $1,000 in travel, and you have a full year to use the $250 Capital One Travel credit. The Amex Gold Card’s welcome bonus is less valuable, but easier to earn because you only have to spend an average of $1,000 per month to qualify for the intro bonus.
Rewards
Both cards have rewards programs geared towards travelers.
Capital One Venture provides a simple rewards system with a minimum of 2X miles on all purchases. You earn even more rewards on eligible travel, with 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
American Express® Gold Card appeals to foodies, earning 4X American Express Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year in combined purchases, then 1X) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in combined purchases, then 1X). Terms apply.
| American Express® Gold Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants worldwide | 4X points on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points | 2X miles |
| U.S. Supermarkets | 4X points on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points | 2X miles |
| Hotels and rental cars | N/A | 5X miles |
| Flights | 3X points | N/A |
| Prepaid hotels | 2X points | N/A |
| All other purchases | 1X points | 2X miles |
The most rewarding card depends on where you spend the most. Amex Gold shines for common expenses like eating out and groceries, making it one of CNBC Select’s best grocery cards and best dining cards. However, Capital One Venture is excellent for everyday spending. If most of your purchases fall outside Amex Gold’s bonus categories, Capital One Venture could be more valuable.
Redemption Options
Both cards allow redemption in a variety of ways, with transferring rewards to travel partners typically the most advantageous. Both American Express and Capital One have strong lists of partner loyalty programs, but Amex has a slight edge. Amex has more transfer partners, more choices for domestic flights, and excellent partners for business and first-class awards.
