Capital One vs American Express
type: Article
description: American Express focuses on premium rewards and customer service with higher annual fees, while Capital One emphasizes accessibility and no-fee options for broader demographics. AmEx has higher average rewards rates (2-5%) but stricter approval requirements, whereas Capital One serves subprime and prime customers with more flexible credit policies.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-09T11:33:12.812Z
date created: 2026-07-09T11:33:12.812Z
date modified: 2026-07-09T11:33:12.888Z
content reference time: 2026-07-09T11:33:12.888Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Capital One
about: American Express
abstract: American Express focuses on premium rewards and customer service with higher annual fees, while Capital One emphasizes accessibility and no-fee options for broader demographics. AmEx has higher average rewards rates (2-5%) but stricter approval requirements, whereas Capital One serves subprime and prime customers with more flexible credit policies.
text: Average Annual Fee Range. Merchant Network Acceptance. Average Rewards Rate. Credit Score Requirement (Prime Cards). 24/7 Customer Service Availability. Credit Card Variety. Average Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power)
conclusion text: Choose Capital One if you're building credit, want no-fee options, or prefer accessibility over premium benefits—they excel with subprime and prime customers alike. Choose American Express if you travel frequently, spend $5,000+ annually on cards, and value premium perks like concierge service and higher rewards rates despite stricter approval requirements.
additional property: Travel Redemption Partners
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 10+ airlines and partners | American Express: N/A
additional property: Savings Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 2.5% (2026) | American Express: N/A
additional property: Earning Simplicity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 1 (uniform) | American Express: N/A
additional property: Hotel Partnership Value
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: Variable transfer rates | American Express: N/A
additional property: Premium Card Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: Basic | American Express: N/A
additional property: Base Cash Back / Points Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 2x flat | American Express: N/A
additional property: Money Market Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 4.05% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Monthly Account Maintenance Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Physical Branch Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 1,000+ partner locations | American Express: N/A
additional property: Credit Card Products Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 15+ | American Express: N/A
additional property: Auto Loan APR Range (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 3.99% - 8.99% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Customer Service Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 3.2/5 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Minimum Credit Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 620+ | American Express: N/A
additional property: Personal Loan APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 21.99% - 35.99% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Loan Approval Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 1-3 business days | American Express: N/A
additional property: Maximum Personal Loan Amount
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $50,000 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Credit Card Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 20+ cards | American Express: N/A
additional property: Origination Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 0% - 1% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Customer Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 20+ million | American Express: N/A
additional property: Minimum Interest Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 7.99% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Minimum Credit Score Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 580 | American Express: Good to Excellent (670+)
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Average Origination Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 5.5% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Funding Timeline
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 1-2 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Maximum Interest Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 35.99% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Number of Financial Products
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 3+ (loans, cards, deposits) | American Express: N/A
additional property: Annual Fee (Entry Card)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: $95
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Annual Fee (Premium Card)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $95 | American Express: $695
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Base Cash Back/Points Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 1.5% (Quicksilver) | American Express: 1% (Platinum points)
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Bonus Rewards Category Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 5% (rotating categories) | American Express: 4-6x (category dependent)
additional property: Global Merchant Acceptance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 99%+ (Visa/Mastercard network) | American Express: 94% (Amex network)
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Minimum Credit Score (Entry)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 650 | American Express: 700
  value reference: Capital One
additional property: Foreign Transaction Fees (Premium)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 3% | American Express: 0%
  value reference: American Express
additional property: Airport Lounge Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: None (entry/mid-tier) | American Express: 500+ lounges (premium cards)
additional property: Monthly Checking Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Savings Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 4.70% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Physical Branches
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: ATM Network Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 30,000+ (surcharge-free network) | American Express: N/A
additional property: Credit Card APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 16.99% - 27.99% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Overdraft Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Rating (iOS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 4.8/5 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Minimum Deposit to Open Account
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Checking Account Monthly Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A
additional property: High-Yield Savings APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 4.60% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Credit Card Approval Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: ~70% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Total Assets
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: $507 billion | American Express: N/A
additional property: Investment/Brokerage Platform
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: None | American Express: N/A
additional property: Auto Loan APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 4.74% - 9.74% | American Express: N/A
additional property: Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 768 | American Express: N/A
additional property: Starting APR (Personal Loans)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Capital One: 8.99% | American Express: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/capital-one
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/capital-one
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/american-express
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/american-express
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/capital-one-vs-american-express)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/capital-one-vs-american-express)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/capital-one-vs-american-express
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/american-express-vs-chase)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/american-express-vs-visa
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/american-express-vs-mastercard
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/capital-one-vs-chase
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/american-express-merchant-acceptance-rate-vs-mastercard-2025-2026
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mastercard-vs-american-express-superior-protections-business-safety-features-comparison
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mastercard-vs-american-express-merchant-acceptance-comparison-2025-2026
teaches: How to choose between Capital One and American Express
genre: Finance

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Capital One vs American Express — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Capital One
type: Thing
alternate name: CO
language: en-US
description: Major US credit card issuer focused on accessibility and rebuilding credit with diverse product offerings.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Capital One
subject of: Capital One vs American Express
image: ImageObject
  caption: Capital One

American Express
type: Thing
alternate name: AE
language: en-US
description: Luxury-focused credit card and financial services company known for premium rewards, concierge services, and exclusive benefits.
image: ImageObject
  caption: American Express
subject of: Capital One vs American Express
image: ImageObject
  caption: American Express

Capital One vs American Express — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Capital One vs American Express. Contains 122 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Travel Redemption Partners
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Flexibility
variable measured: Savings Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Savings
variable measured: Earning Simplicity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Hotel Partnership Value
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Travel
variable measured: Premium Card Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Premium
variable measured: Base Cash Back / Points Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rewards
variable measured: Money Market Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Savings Products
variable measured: Monthly Account Maintenance Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fees
variable measured: Physical Branch Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Distribution
variable measured: Credit Card Products Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Product Variety
variable measured: Auto Loan APR Range (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Lending Products
variable measured: Customer Service Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Service Quality
variable measured: Minimum Credit Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Credit Requirements
variable measured: Personal Loan APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Lending Products
variable measured: Loan Approval Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Speed
variable measured: Maximum Personal Loan Amount
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Lending Terms
variable measured: Credit Card Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Product Variety
variable measured: Origination Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Interest & Fees
variable measured: Customer Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale
variable measured: Minimum Interest Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Loan Terms
variable measured: Minimum Credit Score Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Eligibility
variable measured: Average Origination Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Costs
variable measured: Funding Timeline
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Speed
variable measured: Maximum Interest Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Loan Terms
variable measured: Number of Financial Products
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Service Breadth
variable measured: Annual Fee (Entry Card)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Costs
variable measured: Annual Fee (Premium Card)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Costs
variable measured: Base Cash Back/Points Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rewards
variable measured: Bonus Rewards Category Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rewards
variable measured: Global Merchant Acceptance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Minimum Credit Score (Entry)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Foreign Transaction Fees (Premium)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Costs
variable measured: Airport Lounge Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Benefits
variable measured: Monthly Checking Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fees
variable measured: Savings Account APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Deposit Rates
variable measured: Physical Branches
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: ATM Network Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Credit Card APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Credit Products
variable measured: Overdraft Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fees & Costs
variable measured: Mobile App Rating (iOS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Digital Tools
variable measured: Minimum Deposit to Open Account
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Account Requirements
variable measured: Checking Account Monthly Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Banking Costs
variable measured: High-Yield Savings APY
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Interest Rates
variable measured: Credit Card Approval Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Credit Products
variable measured: Total Assets
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Scale
variable measured: Investment/Brokerage Platform
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Services
variable measured: Auto Loan APR Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Lending
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Experience
variable measured: Starting APR (Personal Loans)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost & Rates
variable measured: Maximum APR (Personal Loans)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost & Rates
variable measured: Origination Fee Range
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost & Rates
variable measured: Loan Funding Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Speed
variable measured: Maximum Loan Amount
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Loan Limits
variable measured: Customer Base Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale
variable measured: Savings Account APY (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Interest Rates
variable measured: Monthly Checking Account Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fees
variable measured: Credit Card Rewards (Best)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Credit Products
variable measured: Overdraft Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Fees
variable measured: Mobile App Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Total Assets (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale
variable measured: Lowest Annual Fee Card
variable measured: Premium Card Annual Fee (Flagship)
variable measured: Average Rewards Rate on Flat Cash Card
variable measured: Top-Tier Card Rewards Rate (Select Category)
variable measured: Minimum Credit Score for Prime Cards
variable measured: Total Credit Card Products
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
variable measured: US Merchant Acceptance Rate
variable measured: Countries Accepted
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/capital-one-vs-american-express)

Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Capital One vs American Express.
has defined term: Flexibility
has defined term: Savings
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Travel
has defined term: Premium
has defined term: Rewards
has defined term: Savings Products
has defined term: Fees
has defined term: Distribution
has defined term: Product Variety
has defined term: Lending Products
has defined term: Service Quality
has defined term: Credit Requirements
has defined term: Speed
has defined term: Lending Terms
has defined term: Interest & Fees
has defined term: Scale
has defined term: Loan Terms
has defined term: Eligibility
has defined term: Costs
has defined term: Service Breadth
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Benefits
has defined term: Deposit Rates
has defined term: Credit Products
has defined term: Fees & Costs
has defined term: Digital Tools
has defined term: Account Requirements
has defined term: Banking Costs
has defined term: Interest Rates
has defined term: Financial Scale
has defined term: Services
has defined term: Lending
has defined term: Customer Experience
has defined term: Cost & Rates
has defined term: Loan Limits
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Approval
has defined term: Product Portfolio
has defined term: Customer Service
has defined term: Acceptance
has defined term: Financial
has defined term: Cost
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Service
has defined term: Reach
has defined term: Requirements
has defined term: Merchant Network
has defined term: Growth
has defined term: Merchant Programs
has defined term: Historical Growth
has defined term: Global Reach
has defined term: Protection
has defined term: Business Benefits
has defined term: Tools & Features
has defined term: Acceptance & Accessibility
has defined term: Merchant Cost
has defined term: Cardholder Value
has defined term: Acceptance & Usability
has defined term: Insurance Benefits
has defined term: Rewards Tiers
has defined term: Travel Benefits
has defined term: Business Services
has defined term: Company History

Flexibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: flexibility
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Savings
type: DefinedTerm
term code: savings
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Travel
type: DefinedTerm
term code: travel
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Premium
type: DefinedTerm
term code: premium
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Rewards
type: DefinedTerm
term code: rewards
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Savings Products
type: DefinedTerm
term code: savings-products
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Fees
type: DefinedTerm
term code: fees
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Distribution
type: DefinedTerm
term code: distribution
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Variety
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-variety
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Lending Products
type: DefinedTerm
term code: lending-products
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-quality
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Credit Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: credit-requirements
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Speed
type: DefinedTerm
term code: speed
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Lending Terms
type: DefinedTerm
term code: lending-terms
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Interest & Fees
type: DefinedTerm
term code: interest-&-fees
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Loan Terms
type: DefinedTerm
term code: loan-terms
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Eligibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: eligibility
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: costs
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Breadth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-breadth
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Benefits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: benefits
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Deposit Rates
type: DefinedTerm
term code: deposit-rates
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Credit Products
type: DefinedTerm
term code: credit-products
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Fees & Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: fees-&-costs
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Digital Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: digital-tools
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Account Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: account-requirements
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Banking Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: banking-costs
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Interest Rates
type: DefinedTerm
term code: interest-rates
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial-scale
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Services
type: DefinedTerm
term code: services
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Lending
type: DefinedTerm
term code: lending
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-experience
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost & Rates
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost-&-rates
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Loan Limits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: loan-limits
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Approval
type: DefinedTerm
term code: approval
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Portfolio
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-portfolio
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-service
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Acceptance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: acceptance
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reach
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: requirements
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Merchant Network
type: DefinedTerm
term code: merchant-network
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Merchant Programs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: merchant-programs
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Historical Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: historical-growth
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Global Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: global-reach
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Protection
type: DefinedTerm
term code: protection
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Business Benefits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: business-benefits
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Tools & Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: tools-&-features
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Acceptance & Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: acceptance-&-accessibility
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Merchant Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: merchant-cost
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cardholder Value
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cardholder-value
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Acceptance & Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: acceptance-&-usability
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Insurance Benefits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: insurance-benefits
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Rewards Tiers
type: DefinedTerm
term code: rewards-tiers
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Travel Benefits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: travel-benefits
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Business Services
type: DefinedTerm
term code: business-services
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Company History
type: DefinedTerm
term code: company-history
in defined term set: Capital One vs American Express — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-09T11:33:12.888Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: capital-one-vs-american-express)
main entity: Which card is better for someone with fair credit?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Capital One is significantly better for fair credit (scores 620-680). They offer dedicated subprime cards like the Platinum and QuickSilver One with no annual fees, while American Express typically requires 740+ credit scores for their prime cards. Capital One explicitly markets to credit builders and those rebuilding their credit history.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which offers better rewards for everyday spending?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: American Express offers higher maximum rewards rates (up to 5%) on premium cards like the Gold Card (4% dining/flights) and Platinum (5% airfare). However, Capital One's no-fee QuickSilver offers flat 1.5% cash back with no annual fee, making it better value for those unwilling to pay $95+/year. For high spenders exceeding $5,000/year, AmEx premium cards justify the fees.
    language: en-US
main entity: What's the difference in annual fees?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Capital One's flagship cards range from $0-$495 annually, while American Express ranges from $0-$695. Both offer no-fee starter cards. AmEx's premium cards (Gold $250, Platinum $695) are more expensive than Capital One equivalents, but provide travel credits that can offset fees for frequent travelers spending $10,000+/year.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which company has better customer service?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: American Express ranks higher in customer satisfaction (86/100 J.D. Power 2024 vs Capital One's 82/100). AmEx includes concierge services on premium cards and 24/7 dedicated support. Capital One offers standard phone and chat support but lacks premium concierge tiers on most cards.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I use these cards everywhere?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: American Express has 98% US merchant acceptance vs Capital One's 95%, a minor difference for domestic use. Both work at major retailers. However, internationally, Visa and Mastercard (which Capital One issues) are more widely accepted than Amex in some regions. For international travel, Capital One may have slight edge due to broader Visa/Mastercard network.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Capital One and American Express
type: HowTo
description: American Express focuses on premium rewards and customer service with higher annual fees, while Capital One emphasizes accessibility and no-fee options for broader demographics. AmEx has higher average rewards rates (2-5%) but stricter approval requirements, whereas Capital One serves subprime and prime customers with more flexible credit policies.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Average Annual Fee Range
step: Consider: Merchant Network Acceptance
step: Consider: Average Rewards Rate
step: Consider: Credit Score Requirement (Prime Cards)
step: Consider: 24/7 Customer Service Availability
step: Consider: Credit Card Variety
step: Consider: Average Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power)
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Capital One if you're building credit, want no-fee options, or prefer accessibility over premium benefits—they excel with subprime and prime customers alike. Choose American Express if you travel frequently, spend $5,000+ annually on cards, and value premium perks like concierge service and higher rewards rates despite stricter approval requirements.

Consider: Average Annual Fee Range
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Average Annual Fee Range: Capital One has $0 - $495, while American Express has $0 - $695.

Consider: Merchant Network Acceptance
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Merchant Network Acceptance: Capital One has 95% of US merchants, while American Express has 98% of US merchants.

Consider: Average Rewards Rate
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Average Rewards Rate: Capital One has 1.5% - 3%, while American Express has 2% - 5%.

Consider: Credit Score Requirement (Prime Cards)
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Credit Score Requirement (Prime Cards): Capital One has 670+, while American Express has 740+.

Consider: 24/7 Customer Service Availability
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: 24/7 Customer Service Availability: Capital One has Phone + Chat, while American Express has Phone + Chat + Concierge.

Consider: Credit Card Variety
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Credit Card Variety: Capital One has 65+ card products, while American Express has 35+ card products.

Consider: Average Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power)
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Average Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power): Capital One has 82/100, while American Express has 86/100.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Capital One vs American Express
review body: American Express focuses on premium rewards and customer service with higher annual fees, while Capital One emphasizes accessibility and no-fee options for broader demographics. AmEx has higher average rewards rates (2-5%) but stricter approval requirements, whereas Capital One serves subprime and prime customers with more flexible credit policies.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Capital One vs American Express

Maximum APR (Personal Loans)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 29.99% | American Express: N/A

Origination Fee Range
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 0% - 8% | American Express: N/A

Loan Funding Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 2-3 business days | American Express: N/A

Maximum Loan Amount
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: Varies by product (up to $100k+ for auto loans) | American Express: N/A

Customer Base Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 195 million customers | American Express: N/A

Savings Account APY (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 4.20% - 4.35% | American Express: N/A

Monthly Checking Account Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: N/A

Credit Card Rewards (Best)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 5% rotating | American Express: N/A

Overdraft Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: $0 (with SafePass) | American Express: N/A

Mobile App Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 4.3/5.0 | American Express: N/A

Total Assets (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: $475+ | American Express: N/A

Lowest Annual Fee Card
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: $0 | American Express: $0

Premium Card Annual Fee (Flagship)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: $495 (Venture X equivalent) | American Express: $695 (Centurion Black)
value reference: Capital One

Average Rewards Rate on Flat Cash Card
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 1.5% | American Express: 1.0%
value reference: Capital One

Top-Tier Card Rewards Rate (Select Category)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 5% (rotating) | American Express: 5% (dining)

Minimum Credit Score for Prime Cards
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 670+ | American Express: 740+
value reference: Capital One

Total Credit Card Products
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 65+ | American Express: 35+
value reference: Capital One

Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 82/100 | American Express: 86/100
value reference: American Express

US Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: 95% | American Express: 98%
value reference: American Express

Countries Accepted
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 190+

2025 Net Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $30.2B

Typical Annual Fee Range
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $95-$695

Fraud Liability Protection
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $0 liability 24/7

Business Model
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Issuer + Network

Customer Service Type
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Direct dedicated support

Rewards Consistency
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Standardized across cards

Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: ~94%

Global Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 9 million locations

Typical Annual Fee (Premium Card)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $550

Average Merchant Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 3.0%

Minimum Credit Score for Best Cards
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 750+

Travel Insurance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Comprehensive (Premium Cards)

Annual Revenue (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $175B

Reward Cashback Rate Range
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 1.5%-6%

Dispute Resolution Speed
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 30-60 days

Global Merchant Acceptance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Strong U.S. + Growing International

Merchant Discount Rate Premium vs Visa
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 0.30-0.50% Higher

12-Month Merchant Acceptance Growth Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 16% Year-over-Year Growth

Minimum Credit Score Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Good to Excellent (650+)

Small Business Merchant Program Threshold
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: OptBlue Program (<$1M)

Travel Rewards Tier Classification
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Premium Exclusive Benefits

Merchant Network Growth Since 2017
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 5x Expansion (2017-2025)

Fee Structure Complexity (2025-2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Established Fee Model

Countries with Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 150+ countries

Maximum Rewards Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 5X points

Fraud Liability Protection
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $0 liability

Purchase Protection Coverage Duration
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 90 days

Annual Travel Credit Benefit
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $600 annually

Real-Time Fraud Monitoring
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 24/7 Real-Time Alerts

Business Expense Management Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: Amex Intelligence Dashboard

Global Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: ~12 million merchants

Countries with Active Network
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 120+ countries

Typical Merchant Discount Rate - Standard
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 2.5-3.5% OptBlue

Average Cardholder Annual Spending
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $12,000-16,000

Credit Score Requirement (Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 670+ (good credit minimum)

Merchant Discount Rate - Premium Tier
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 3.5%+ Amex Direct

Encryption Standard (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: AES GCM (March 2026 release)

Cardholder Acceptance Rate at Merchants
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 95% of US merchants, 60%+ internationally

Annual Fee (Premium Card Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $450

Cash Back Rate (Best Category)
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 2%

APR Range on Purchases
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 17.49%-23.49%

Countries with Merchant Network
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 195 countries

Average Fraud Liability
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $0 (zero liability)

Travel Insurance Coverage Types
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 6+ types (trip cancellation, delay, baggage, loss of passport, emergency medical, evacuation)

Minimum Annual Spending for Elite Status
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $35,000

Average Premium Card Annual Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $550

Global Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 95%

Trip Delay Insurance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $250,000

Maximum Dining Rewards Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 4X

No-Fee Card Options Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 2

Business Card Portfolio Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 100+

Emergency Evacuation Insurance
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: $10,000

Years Operating as Card Company
type: PropertyValue
value: Capital One: N/A | American Express: 170+ years (founded 1850)

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
xpath: //*[@id='verdict']

Capital One — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

American Express — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Capital One vs American Express
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/capital-one-vs-american-express)
object: Capital One
object: American Express

Lowest Annual Fee Card
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Premium Card Annual Fee (Flagship)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Average Rewards Rate on Flat Cash Card
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

Top-Tier Card Rewards Rate (Select Category)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

Minimum Credit Score for Prime Cards
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Approval

Total Credit Card Products
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Portfolio

Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customer Service

US Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Acceptance

Countries Accepted
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Acceptance

2025 Net Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial

Typical Annual Fee Range
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Cost

Fraud Liability Protection
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Business Model
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Operations

Customer Service Type
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Service

Rewards Consistency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Benefits

Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Acceptance

Global Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reach

Typical Annual Fee (Premium Card)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Cost

Average Merchant Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Fees

Minimum Credit Score for Best Cards
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Requirements

Travel Insurance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Benefits

Annual Revenue (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial

Reward Cashback Rate Range
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

Dispute Resolution Speed
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Service

Global Merchant Acceptance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Merchant Network

Merchant Discount Rate Premium vs Visa
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

12-Month Merchant Acceptance Growth Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth

Minimum Credit Score Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Eligibility

Small Business Merchant Program Threshold
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Merchant Programs

Travel Rewards Tier Classification
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

Merchant Network Growth Since 2017
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Historical Growth

Fee Structure Complexity (2025-2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Countries with Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Global Reach

Maximum Rewards Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

Fraud Liability Protection
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Purchase Protection Coverage Duration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Protection

Annual Travel Credit Benefit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Business Benefits

Real-Time Fraud Monitoring
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Business Expense Management Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Tools & Features

Global Merchant Acceptance
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Acceptance & Accessibility

Countries with Active Network
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Global Reach

Typical Merchant Discount Rate - Standard
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Merchant Cost

Average Cardholder Annual Spending
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Cardholder Value

Credit Score Requirement (Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Merchant Discount Rate - Premium Tier
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Merchant Cost

Encryption Standard (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Cardholder Acceptance Rate at Merchants
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Annual Fee (Premium Card Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Fees

Cash Back Rate (Best Category)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

APR Range on Purchases
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Interest Rates

Countries with Merchant Network
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Acceptance & Usability

Average Fraud Liability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Travel Insurance Coverage Types
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Insurance Benefits

Minimum Annual Spending for Elite Status
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards Tiers

Average Premium Card Annual Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Costs

Global Merchant Acceptance Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Trip Delay Insurance Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Travel Benefits

Maximum Dining Rewards Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rewards

No-Fee Card Options Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Business Card Portfolio Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Business Services

Emergency Evacuation Insurance
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Travel Benefits

Years Operating as Card Company
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Company History