The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: Which simple business cash-back card wins?
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Two popular business cards with no annual fee are compared, both offering straightforward earning and useful protections.
Both options provide at least 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases, with some additional bonus categories for specific merchants or travel bookings.
One card stands out for longer purchase protection and the ability to pair with certain travel rewards programs, while the other offers no foreign transaction fees and higher rewards on select travel bookings.
The best choice depends on your existing rewards ecosystem and whether you prioritize international purchases or maximizing travel rewards.
What to consider
Eligibility for sign-up bonuses may be limited for previous or current cardholders of similar products.
Foreign transaction fees differ: one card charges a fee, while the other does not, making it more suitable for international spending.
Some cards allow you to combine rewards with other products in the same rewards program, potentially increasing redemption value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of benefits, protections and redemption strategies to help you choose the optimal business card for your needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
As a business owner myself, I've spent more brain power than I'd like to admit thinking about which credit cards can help me get more out of my business spending.
Two cards that often come up when you're looking for a simple, no-annual-fee business card are the (see rates and fees) and Capital One Spark Cash Select — and it's easy to see why they're competitors.
Both keep earning simple, offer tools and benefits for business owners and don't charge an annual fee. At the end of the day, though, the Ink Business Unlimited has an edge for most business owners, especially if you can pair it with an eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards card.
I've already put more thought into business credit cards than any reasonable person should, so let me break it down for you.
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: At a glance
Ink Business Unlimited
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Annual fee
$0
$0
Welcome bonus
Earn $1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months after account opening.
Earn a one-time $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Employee card fee
$0
$0
Base earning rate
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Quick picks by business type
Best for ...
Card
Business owners who already earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Ink Business Unlimited
Those who want more time to finance a large purchase
Ink Business Unlimited
Those who already earn Capital One miles
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Those who make purchases abroad
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: Welcome bonus
The currently offers $1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months after account opening. The Spark Cash Select offers a one-time $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The Ink's bonus is $250 higher, but you'll need to spend an additional $2,000 to earn it. If that level of spending is already normal for your business, the extra $250 is an easy win. But don't spend more than you otherwise would just to chase a bigger bonus.
FG TRADE/GETTY IMAGES
Eligibility is important to consider, too. Chase's application terms say the Ink Business Unlimited bonus may not be available if you've ever had this card or another no-annual-fee Chase business card.
Meanwhile, Capital One states that the bonus may not be available to existing or previous Capital One Business cardholders.
Winner: Ink Business Unlimited. Assuming you can comfortably meet the higher spending requirement, the extra $250 makes it the better offer.
Primary for business rentals; up to $60,000 for most eligible vehicles
Primary for eligible business and international rentals*
Purchase protection
Up to $10,000 per item for 120 days; $50,000 annual account limit
Up to $10,000 per item for 90 days; $50,000 annual account limit*
Extended warranty protection
Adds one year to eligible warranties of three years or less
Doubles eligible warranties of 12 months or less, up to one additional year*
Roadside assistance
Yes; cardholder pays for services
Yes; cardholder pays for services
Foreign transaction fee
3%
None
*Capital One Mastercard benefits are subject to issuer participation. Check your card's Guide to Benefits for applicable coverage.
There’s quite a bit of overlap between the two cards. Both offer extended warranty protection, purchase protection and rental car coverage, although the exact terms and coverage limits differ.
The has an edge on purchase protection. Eligible purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per year), whereas the Spark Cash Select only covers up to 90 days (with the same limits).
RGSTUDIO/GETTY IMAGES
The rental car comparison is closer than it first appears. Ink provides primary coverage when renting for business purposes, with reimbursement of up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most eligible vehicles. Depending on your card's applicable Mastercard benefits, Spark's MasterRental coverage can also be primary for eligible business rentals and rentals outside your home country. With primary coverage, you shouldn't have to file a claim with your personal auto insurer first.
Spark, meanwhile, has an advantage if your business takes you abroad. It charges no foreign transaction fees, compared with 3% on the Ink Business Unlimited.
Winner:Tie. Ink offers longer purchase protection and straightforward primary rental car coverage for eligible business rentals, while Spark counters with competitive protections and no foreign transaction fees.
How to earn and redeem rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select
At first glance, there's not much separating these cards when it comes to earning rewards. Both earn at least 1.5% back on everyday purchases, with no spending caps to track.
Purchase
Ink Business Unlimited
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Everyday purchases
1.5% cash back
1.5% cash back
Lyft rides
5% cash back through (Sept. 30, 2027)
1.5% cash back
Hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
1.5% cash back
5% cash back
The Spark Cash Select has the edge on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, earning 5% cash back.
The has a 5% category for Lyft rides through (Sept. 30, 2027), but it's a temporary perk with a much narrower use case.
Winner on earning: Spark Cash Select. Both cards earn the same 1.5% on everyday purchases, but Spark's 5% return on Capital One Business Travel bookings gives it a leg up.
Redeeming rewards
Cash back is the easiest way to use rewards with either card. But if you're willing to do a little more work, both cards have the potential to become much more useful for travel.
Neither program is automatically better for travel, either. Chase and Capital One have different airline and hotel transfer partners, so the better option depends largely on which programs you actually use.
If you already earn rewards with Chase or Capital One, that's an even stronger reason to stick with the same program and combine your rewards rather than starting from scratch with the other.
Winner on redeeming: Tie. Both cards make cash back easy, while pairing either with an eligible card can open the door to transferable travel rewards.
Can I have both the Ink Business Unlimited and Spark Cash Select?
Yes. Since one card is issued by Chase and the other by Capital One, there's nothing stopping you from holding both. But you'll still need to qualify for each card individually.
For the , keep Chase's 5/24 rule in mind. You'll need to be under 5/24 to qualify, though most business cards won't count toward your 5/24 total.
Capital One doesn't have a publicly stated rule comparable to Chase's 5/24 rule, but you'll still need to meet the issuer's current application requirements to qualify for the Spark Cash Select.
But do you actually need both? Probably not. Since both earn at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases, there's a lot of overlap. And with several cash-back cards earning 2% on everyday spending, neither is the strongest choice based on its base earning rate alone.
These cards are a better fit if you value simplicity, want to avoid an annual fee or already earn rewards with Chase or Capital One.
But if you're starting from scratch, I'd look at options like the (see rates and fees), which earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, or the , which earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% back on all purchases).
Choose the Spark Cash Select if you regularly make international purchases or book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel. It's also a natural fit if you already have a Capital One travel card and can combine your rewards for more redemption options.
After weighing it all, Chase's comes out ahead, but just barely. Its useful protections and the potential to get more from your rewards by pairing it with another Ultimate Rewards card give it the edge.
Still, Capital One's Spark Cash Select puts up a good fight. With no foreign transaction fees and 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, it could be the better fit for some business owners.
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.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
