Editorial take: The Platinum Card from Amex
The granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits. The $695 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.
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Side-by-side
The Platinum Card from Amex vs Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $695/yr; the Capital One Spark Miles for Business from Capital One at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the The Platinum Card from Amex is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($700 more in estimated value) than the Capital One Spark Miles for Business's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Capital One Spark Miles for Business after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Capital One Spark Miles for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $695 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 points | 50,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,600 | $900 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $4,500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Capital One |
| Card category | travel | business |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | capital-one |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$695/yr · 80,000 points
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
$95/yr · 50,000 miles
Editorial take: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The strongest catch-all 2x business card with transferable points. The annual fee is waived first year; the Capital One transfer chart includes Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Turkish, and Virgin Atlantic — enough to make 2x meaningful.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,600, versus 50,000 miles (~$900) on the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
- Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from Amex ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits — travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Capital One) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the The Platinum Card from Amex or the Capital One Spark Miles for Business first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from Amex: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Capital One Spark Miles for Business: $4,500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.