Capital One Spark Cash review: Simple cash back for businesses but lacking benefits
Editor's Note
Capital One Spark Cash overview
The Capital One Spark Cash card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no spending caps. Aside from the simplistic cash-back earning structure, the card lacks standout benefits and carries a $95 annual fee after the introductory $0 annual fee in the first year. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Cash-back credit cards give businesses the ultimate flexibility. The cash back can be used to book travel, pay expenses or buy anything useful to the business.
The Spark Cash is a revamped version of the discontinued Spark Cash for Business. It gives businesses an unlimited 2% cash-back credit card option with a fixed credit line, unlike the similar Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, which has no preset credit limit and must be paid in full every month.
The TPG recommended credit score for this card is 740 or higher. However, it may be possible to get approved with a lower score.
Let's dive into whether the Spark Cash should be in your business's wallet.
The information for the Spark Cash for Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One Spark Cash pros and cons
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Capital One Spark Cash welcome offer
New Spark Cash cardholders can earn $1,000 after spending $10,000 in the first three months from account opening.
This is one of the better welcome offers we typically see on a cash-back business card. That said, smaller businesses will want a solid strategy to meet the spending requirement.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular Capital One credit cards based on offer history
Capital One Spark Cash benefits
Despite having an annual fee after the first year, the Spark Cash severely lacks standout benefits and leaves much to be desired.
The Spark Cash includes benefits like employee cards at no additional cost and itemized year-end summaries to help you manage your business.
While those benefits aren't eye-popping and are standard on most business cards, they could be useful for lots of small businesses. Beyond that, however, this card doesn't offer much to justify having a $95 annual fee after the first cardholder year.
Related: How to apply for a Capital One business credit card
Earning cash back on the Capital One Spark Cash
Simplicity is the name of the game with earning cash back on the Spark Cash. You'll earn unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases.
Plus, cardholders will earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
This is a decent card to consider for business owners who want to keep their earnings simple. Getting at least 2% back on all purchases is a decent return on your spending.
Related: Capital One miles: How to earn, redeem and transfer rewards
Redeeming cash back on the Capital One Spark Cash
Redeeming cash back on the Spark Cash is simple. Capital One allows you to redeem your rewards for any amount so you can tailor your redemptions to meet your business's needs.
While cash back isn't as lucrative as earning points and miles, many people favor it for its simplicity and straightforwardness. Even if you're a points and miles fan, having a cash back card on hand is useful for times when you don't have a lot of travel planned.
Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card
Which cards compete with the Capital One Spark Cash?
If you want to earn transferable rewards or better benefits and perks, or if you don't want an annual fee beyond the first cardmember year, there are other cards that compete with or even outclass the Spark Cash that you may want to consider.
- If you prefer no annual fee: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns 2% cash back on all purchases (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1% thereafter). Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. To learn more, read our full review of the Blue Business Cash card.
- If you prefer earning transferable points: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases). These Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for outsize value by utilizing Chase's excellent roster of transfer partners. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred card.
- If you want lounge access: The Capital One Venture X Business carries a $395 annual fee and earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, which can redeemed with Capital One's extensive network of 15-plus transfer partners. Cardholders receive great lounge access, a $300 statement credit when booked through Capital One Business Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, and solid travel protections and perks. To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X Business.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best business cards.
Related: Is the Venture X Business worth it?
Is the Capital One Spark Cash worth it?
The Spark Cash is a decent business offering that earns an unlimited 2% cash back. However, with lackluster benefits and an annual fee after the first year, businesses might be better suited with another card, especially considering there are other cards that offer 2% cash back with better benefits without an annual fee.
Bottom line
If you want a business card that offers an easy-to-remember unlimited 2% cash back, the Spark Cash is a solid option. Despite its simplicity, it is limited by its mediocre benefits and an annual fee after the first year.
If you want to earn transferable rewards or higher cash-back rates in broad categories, you might want to consider another business card.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash
Related: Reasons to get a business credit card
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 | New! 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
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- 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.