Capital One Spark Cash Plus review: Simple 2% cash back on all business expenses
Editor's Note
With a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees), the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card earns 2% cash back on every purchase, making it a great option for business owners who value simplicity. Whether you're buying office supplies or taking clients out to dinner, you'll earn the same rewards rate each time you use it. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Spark Cash Plus: The basics
The Spark Cash Plus is a business charge card that earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. It carries a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees), but businesses that spend at least $150,000 each year can earn the fee back as an annual statement credit.
Unlike a traditional credit card, the Spark Cash Plus has no preset spending limit. You'll need to pay your balance in full each month, though eligible purchases can be carried over time with interest through Capital One's Pay Over Time feature. The card also charges no foreign transaction fees and lets you add employee cards at no additional cost (see rates and fees).
If you also have an eligible Capital One miles-earning card, you can convert your cash-back rewards into transferable Capital One miles.
TPG recommends a credit score of 740 or higher, but you may be able to get approved with a lower score.
Spark Cash Plus pros and cons
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Spark Cash Plus benefits
The Spark Cash Plus isn't packed with premium travel perks or statement credits. Instead, it offers a few practical benefits that make it a better fit for businesses with high spending.
Annual fee refund
If your business spends $150,000 or more each year, you'll receive your $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) back as a statement credit. That's a lot of spending, but businesses with significant operating expenses will have no trouble reaching that threshold.
Business-friendly features
As with all Capital One credit cards, you'll enjoy no foreign transaction fees when you make purchases abroad (see rates and fees).
You can add employee cards at no additional cost (see rates and fees), and spending is consolidated into your account.
Extended warranty protection
Eligible purchases made with the Spark Cash Plus receive an extended warranty beyond the original manufacturer's warranty, providing a little extra protection on business purchases. Terms apply.
No preset spending limit
One of the Spark Cash Plus' standout features is its lack of a preset spending limit, which can be especially helpful if your business has large purchases or expenses that fluctuate throughout the year.
Related: How to apply for a Capital One business credit card
How to earn and use your rewards
Earning rewards
The biggest draw of the Spark Cash Plus is its flat earning rate. You'll earn an unlimited 2% cash back every time you swipe — with no limits or category restrictions.
This is especially valuable if your business has expenses across a wide range of categories. Rather than worrying about whether a purchase earns bonus rewards, you'll earn the same solid return every time you use your card. Since your rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open, you can redeem them whenever you're ready.
Redeeming rewards
The cash back you earn can be redeemed in several ways, including as a statement credit, for a check or for gift cards. You can also use your rewards to cover eligible purchases or when checking out with Amazon or PayPal.
If you also carry a Capital One miles-earning card, such as the Capital One Venture X Business, you can convert your cash-back rewards into Capital One miles. Based on TPG's June 2026 valuations, Capital One miles are worth 1.85 cents apiece when transferred to airline or hotel partners.
This is my personal favorite redemption option because it gives you access to Capital One's airline and hotel transfer partners. I've used transferred miles to book Avianca Lifemiles awards to Central America, getting much more value than I would have from redeeming for cash back alone.
Related: How to convert Capital One cash back into miles
Potential drawbacks to the Spark Cash Plus
The Spark Cash Plus is a strong option for businesses with high spending that want a simple rewards structure. But it won't be the best fit for everyone.
If your business doesn't spend enough to justify its $150 annual fee (see rates and fees), you may be better off with a no-annual-fee business card. Likewise, if you're looking for premium travel perks or elevated rewards in specific spending categories, other business cards offer more value.
Finally, because the Spark Cash Plus is a charge card, it's best suited for businesses that can pay their balance in full each month. If your business frequently carries a balance from month to month, a traditional business credit card may offer more flexibility.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. Capital One Spark Cash
If you prefer a traditional business credit card, consider the Capital One Spark Cash. It earns the same unlimited 2% cash back on your purchases but has a lower annual fee — $0 for the first year, then $95 rates and fees — compared with the Spark Cash Plus's $150 annual fee rates and fees.
On the other hand, the Spark Cash Plus offers no preset spending limit and lets you earn your annual fee back each year you spend at least $150,000.
Is the Spark Cash Plus worth it?
Whether the Spark Cash Plus is worth it depends on several factors, including the type of rewards you want to earn and your monthly business expenses. If you're focused on earning cash rewards and value a simple earning structure, the Spark Cash Plus is an excellent option.
Still, there are more valuable business credit cards out there if you want to maximize your earnings and continually build up your stash of rewards — whether it's cash back, points or miles.
Related: How to pick a strategy for your small-business credit cards
When to apply for the Spark Cash Plus
New Spark Cash Plus cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of $2,000 cash back and a $500 Capital One Business Travel credit after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Plus, you can earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year.
If your business has high annual spending and can meet the minimum spending requirement, this offer can be extremely valuable. While it isn't the best offer we've seen on the Spark Cash Plus, it easily exceeds our recommended application threshold.
For more details, check out our guide to the best time to apply for Capital One credit cards based on welcome offer history.
Related: Best business cash-back credit cards
Other cards to consider if you don't want the Spark Cash Plus?
If the Spark Cash Plus doesn't quite fit your business, here are a few other cards worth considering:
- If you prefer Chase: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (then 1% back), 2% on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on gas and restaurants (then 1% back), and 1% on all other purchases. If you pair this card with an Ultimate Rewards earning card, you have the ability to convert the cash back to transferable points and utilize Chase's impressive roster of transfer partners. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Cash.
- If you don't want an annual fee: Along with the Ink Business Cash, there's also The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, a no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees) that offers a 2% rewards rate on up to the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year (then 1% back). Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. This card is a strong contender if your business is small and doesn't spend enough to justify the $150 annual fee on the Spark Cash Plus (see rates and fees). To learn more, read our full review of the Blue Business Cash.
- If you want to earn a transferable currency: The Capital One Venture X Business comes with lounge access, a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel and a plethora of travel protections and insurance for a $395 annual fee (see rates and fees). It earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all nonbonus purchases, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel and 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel. To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture X Business.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best business cards.
Related: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards
Bottom line
The Spark Cash Plus is one of the simplest business cash-back cards on the market. If your business spends heavily and you prefer earning the same rewards on every purchase, it's an easy card to recommend.
But if you want premium travel perks or richer bonus categories, another business card is probably a better fit.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Cash, click here.
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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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
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- No foreign transaction fees
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.