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Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. the American Express Platinum Card®

Sammi Scharf, Author at LendingTree

Written by  Sammi Scharf

Robin Ratcliff, Editor at LendingTree

Edited by  Robin Ratcliff

Updated
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Key takeaways
  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the American Express Platinum Card® are three top travel credit card choices with valuable benefits for frequent travelers.
  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most flexible redemption options and top-tier travel insurance.
  • The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has the lowest annual fee of the three cards and provides the highest earning rate on general purchases.
  • The American Express Platinum Card® has the highest annual fee (see rates & fees) but offers the most in terms of luxury travel perks.
  • Choosing between these three cards depends on your spending habits, whether you plan to use the card’s benefits and how much you’re willing to pay for an annual fee.
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How do they compare?

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*Enrollment required

What we like about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive list of travel protections among these three cards. It also offers a high rewards rate across a variety of categories, including hotels, car rentals, other travel purchases and dining. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points have some of the most flexible redemption options available.

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

What we like about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best overall pick for a travel credit card. You’ll earn a competitive rewards rate, including 2X Miles on all purchases, and it comes with a lower annual fee compared to the other two cards. Plus, you'll receive a $300 annual travel credit, which can offset most of the $395 annual fee.

Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

What we like about the American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® provides the highest level of luxury among these three cards, offering access to over 1,550 airport lounges globally. This card also comes with the highest welcome offer of the three and $2,000-plus worth of credits. But it has the highest annual fee, at $895 (see rates & fees).

Learn more about the American Express Platinum Card®.

Earning points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. the American Express Platinum Card®

Winner (Bonus categories):
Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Winner (General spend):
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers the most diverse spending categories. Outside of earning up to 8x points on travel, you can earn 3x points on dining purchases. If dining isn’t one of your top spending categories, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a higher 2X earning rate on all purchases, making it a great option for everyday spending.

The American Express Platinum Card® offers narrower earning categories than the other two cards. Plus, the bonus rate on flights is limited to $500,000 each year.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

1X - 8X points

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn 5X Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

American Express Platinum Card®

  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • Terms apply. 

Learn more about credit card points.

Redeeming points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. the American Express Platinum Card®

Winner:
Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The card that will offer you the most value depends on how you choose to redeem your rewards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides the greatest value for travel redemptions, offering up to 2 cents per point, while the other two cards only give up to 1 cent per point. It also offers the highest overall value for redeeming cash back and gift cards. However, all three cards offer the best value when you transfer points to travel partners.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Estimated value per point

  • ~2 cents when transferred to travel partners
  • Up to 2 cents for travel redemptions through the Chase TravelSM portal
  • 1 cent for cash back and gift cards
  • 0.8 cents when you pay with points on Amazon.com and PayPal

Capital One Miles Estimated value per point

  • ~1.8 cents when transferred to travel partners
  • 1 cent for travel statement credits and travel through the Capital One portal
  • 0.8 cents for Capital One experiences, merchandise, gift cards, Amazon and PayPal purchases
  • 0.5 cents for cash back

American Express Membership Rewards Estimated value per point

  • ~2 cents when transferred to travel partners
  • 1 cent when you donate points to charity
  • 0.7 cents to 1 cent for flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages or cruises through the Membership Rewards portal
  • 0.7 cents when you use points on Amazon.com
  • 0.5 to 1 cents for gift cards
  • 0.6 cents for cash back statement credit

Travel transfer partners

Capital One has the most transfer partners, with 20+ hotel and airline partners. American Express has 20 partners, while Chase has 10+ partners.

  • AerClub, loyalty program of Aer Lingus
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Air France KLM Flying Blue
  • Iberia Plus
  • IHG Rewards Club
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Marriott Bonvoy™
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • United MileagePlus
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • World of Hyatt

    → Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards® Transfer Partners.
  • Aeromexico Club Premier
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • ALL - Accor Live Limitless
  • Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific)
  • Avianca LifeMiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Choice Privileges®
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
  • Finnair Plus
  • Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
  • I Prefer Hotel Rewards
  • Japan Airlines
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Qatar Airways
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • TAP Miles&Go
  • Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
  • Virgin Red
  • Wyndham Rewards

    → Learn more about Capital One Transfer Partners.
  • Aer Lingus
  • AeroMexico
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air France-KLM Flying Blue
  • ANA Mileage Club
  • Avianca LifeMiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Cathay Pacific ‒ Asia Miles
  • Choice Privileges
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • Hilton Honors
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Qatar Airways Privilege Club
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Learn more about redeeming credit card travel points.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. American Express Platinum Card® benefits

Travel and purchase protections

Winner:
Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive list of travel insurance and purchase protections of the three cards. You’ll get primary rental car insurance, along with several additional coverage options not offered by the other cards, such as travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation insurance and emergency medical and dental coverage.

The American Express Platinum Card® comes in close second to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it also has extensive coverage including access to the Global Assist Hotline4. While the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card doesn’t offer as much protection as the other cards, it has primary rental car coverage, which is better than what’s offered with the American Express Platinum Card®.

Full list of travel and purchase protections:

TRAVEL PROTECTIONS
- Auto rental coverage: Primary coverage of up to $75,000
- Roadside assistance: Up to $50 per incident four times per year
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per covered traveler
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 per day for five days for delays over six hours
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Emergency evacuation and transportation: Up to $100,000
- Emergency medical and dental benefit: Up to $2,500 (subject to a $50 deductible)

PURCHASE PROTECTIONS
- Purchase protection6: Covers eligible new purchases for 120 days and up to $10,000 per item
- Return protection: Covers eligible items within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item, up to $1,000 per 12-month period
- Zero liability protection
- Extended warranty protection7: Extends eligible warranties of three years or less by an additional year, up to four years from the date of purchase

TRAVEL PROTECTIONS
- Auto rental coverage: Primary coverage of up to $75,000
- Roadside assistance
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $2,000 per insured person
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000

PURCHASE PROTECTIONS
- Return protection: Covers eligible new purchases for 90 days up to $3,000 with an annual maximum of $1,000
- Extended warranty Protection: Extends eligible warranties of three years or less by an additional year
- Cellphone protection: Covers you up to $800

TRAVEL PROTECTIONS
- Car rental loss and damage insurance1: Car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
- Trip delay insurance2: Up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than six hours; and two claims per eligible card in a 12-consecutive-month period.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance2: The maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12-consecutive-month period.
- Baggage insurance plan3: Baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York state residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip.
- Premium Global Assist Hotline4: You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day/seven days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, the Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.


PURCHASE PROTECTIONS
- Purchase protection3: Purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits Apply.
- Return protection5: With return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
- Extended warranty3: When an American Express card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card Member account per calendar year.
- Cell phone protection2: Coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period.

See LendingTree's picks for the top credit cards with travel insurance.

Lounge access

Winner:
American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® offers the most extensive lounge access. You'll have access to the Global Lounge Collection® which includes over 1,550 lounges worldwide for eligible card members. Additionally, you’ll get complimentary access to lounge networks like the Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Club (subject to visit limitations) when flying eligible Delta flights. You can also add extra card members for a fee, and they’ll receive the same lounge access as the primary cardholder.

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card still offer great lounge access. With each card, you'll get Priority PassTM Select, granting access to over 1,300 lounges globally. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also provides access to several exclusive Capital One airport lounges. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you're willing to pay a higher annual fee for access to more premium lounges.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Access to Priority Pass™ Select (1,300+ lounges worldwide)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Access to Priority Pass™ Select and Capital One Lounges (1,300+ lounges worldwide)

American Express Platinum Card®

Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® (1,550+ lounges worldwide) for eligible card members

See LendingTree's picks for the top credit cards with lounge access.

Travel credits

Winner:
American Express Platinum Card®

Although the American Express Platinum Card® has the highest annual fee of the three cards, it also offers the most generous credits. You’ll get more than $2,000 worth of credits, which can easily offset the $895 annual fee if you think you’ll use them. In contrast, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a lower $395 annual fee, but you’ll get a $300 annual travel credit, which can still cover most of the annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • Up to $300 annual travel credit
    Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck or NEXUS

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Up to $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
    Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

American Express Platinum Card®

  • Up to $600 hotel credit (terms apply)
  • Up to $200 airline fee credit*
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck*
  • Up to $209 CLEAR® Plus credit (subject to auto-renewal)
  • Up to $200 Uber Cash toward U.S. rides and eats (up to $15 monthly, $20 in December)*
  • Up to $155 Walmart+ credit (subject to auto-renewal)
  • Up to $300 digital entertainment credit*
  • Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit*
*Enrollment required for these benefits

Alternative cards

See LendingTree's top picks for the best travel credit cards.

1. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. offers coverage for car rental loss or damage.

2. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

3. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

4. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

5. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

6. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help
protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

7. When an American Express® Card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
The information related to the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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