The Venture X ($395/year) delivers roughly 80% of the Amex Platinum's ($695/year) perks for close to half the price — but the Platinum still wins on lounge network breadth and total credit stack size if you use it fully. Enter your spend and which credits you'd realistically use for a personalized verdict, using live card data.
Venture X wins on simplicity and value-for-fee: a $300 travel credit that's easy to use (any Capital One Travel booking), 10,000 anniversary miles, and solid lounge access at a lower price. Amex Platinum wins if you'll actually use its bigger credit stack and want the widest lounge network (Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta Sky Club) plus stronger transfer partners for premium-cabin awards.
Amex Platinum's network is broader (Centurion Lounges plus Delta Sky Club access), but Venture X's Capital One Lounges plus Priority Pass cover the fee at a much lower cost.
Amex Membership Rewards generally edges out Capital One on partner breadth (20 vs 22 partners with some overlap) — check both explorers for your specific redemption.
See each card's full credit list with the Amex Platinum Credit Tracker, and compare transfer partners: Amex vs Capital One.