A guide to Capital One's Spark business cards
Capital One offers an expansive suite of personal cards, some of which are at the top of our lists, but the issuer also offers a family of cards made for businesses.
These cards are known as the Spark cards, and they earn cash back or Capital One miles.
You can currently apply for six Spark cards: the Capital One Spark Cash, Capital One Spark Cash Plus, Capital One Spark Cash Select, Capital One Spark Miles for Business (no longer available), Capital One Spark Classic for Business, and Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business (no longer available).
Many of the cards have similar names and earning rates, so let's dive into the differences and examine the cards and their welcome offers.
The information for the Capital One Spark Miles, Capital One Spark Classic for Business and Capital One Spark Miles Select 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.
Comparison of the Capital One Spark business cards
| Capital One Spark Cash | Capital One Spark Cash Plus | Capital One Spark Cash Select | Capital One Spark Classic for Business | Capital One Spark Miles for Business | Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business | |
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Annual fee | $0 introductory annual fee in the first year; $95 thereafter | $150 | $0 | $0 | $0 introductory annual fee in the first year; $95 thereafter | $0 |
Welcome offer | Earn $1,500 cash bonus after spending $15,000 within the first three months from account opening.
| Earn $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first cardmember year. | Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
| None | The Capital One Spark Miles for Business isn't currently available to new applicants. So, you can't apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus. | The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business isn't currently available to new applicants. So, you can't apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus. |
Earning rates |
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Foreign transaction fees | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Benefits |
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Capital One Spark business cards
Capital One Spark Cash
If you're a cash-back fan in search of a card that earns at least 2% on all purchases, check out the Capital One Spark Cash.
Welcome bonus: Earn $1,500 cash bonus after spending $15,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0 in the first year; $95 thereafter
Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
Who should apply? The Spark Cash has no annual fee for the first year, then it carries a $95 annual fee. Those looking to earn cash back and redeem any amount at any time should consider this card, as you can recoup your expenses and invest them right back into your business.
While the card doesn't have any standout benefits, it is incredibly simple to use and ensures you'll earn at least 2% cash back on all purchases.
The Spark Cash card doesn't earn transferable Capital One miles. However, you can convert your cash back to miles if you hold an eligible miles-earning Capital One card like the Capital One Venture X Business, and they are linked under one Capital One login.
The Spark Cash likely won't appeal to travel rewards enthusiasts but can be attractive to those who want a simple yet lucrative card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
If your business spends a lot each month, consider the Spark Cash Plus.
Welcome bonus: Earn $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first cardmember year.
This is the best welcome offer we have ever seen on this card.
Annual fee: $150
Rewards: Earn an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
Who should apply? The Spark Cash Plus carries a $150 annual fee. Businesses with a lot of spending should consider this card for its lucrative welcome bonus, which has unlimited bonus-earning potential in the first year. Plus, if you spend $150,000 or more in a calendar year, the annual fee is waived.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Capital One Spark Cash Select
If a simple cash-back card is in your crosshairs, consider the Spark Cash Select.
Welcome bonus: Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Who should apply? The Spark Cash Select has simple, easy-to-remember earning rates with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Business owners looking to earn at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases should consider this card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Select
Capital One Spark Cash Classic
If your business doesn't qualify for a better business card, the Spark Cash Classic is a decent option for earning rewards on every purchase.
Welcome bonus: None
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Who should apply? The Spark Cash Classic has no annual fee. It is a great starter card for businesses looking to build their credit history. However, if you are a business owner with a more established credit profile, you should opt for another Spark card, as you can earn up to double the cash back this card offers on all purchases.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Travel enthusiasts will want to take a closer look at one of the Spark Miles cards, like the Spark Miles for Business.
Welcome bonus: The Capital One Spark Miles for Business isn't currently available to new applicants. So, you can't apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus.
Annual fee: $0 in the first year; $95 thereafter
Rewards: Earn an unlimited 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Who should apply? Those looking to earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases will be intrigued by this card. The card comes with a statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, which can make airport security a breeze.
With the Spark Miles for Business, you can get great value transferring miles to one of Capital One's 15-plus transfer partners. Additionally, the card comes with extended warranty protection, which can be useful to business owners.
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
If the regular Spark Miles for Business doesn't seem like the right fit for your business, consider the Spark Miles Select instead.
Welcome bonus: The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business isn't currently available to new applicants. So, you can't apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn an unlimited 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Who should apply? The Spark Miles Select has no annual fee and will likely appeal to business owners who frequently travel as the card earns fully transferable miles. If your goal is to pay no annual fee, this is a solid and simple option, but if you have high annual spending, you may be better suited for the Spark Miles for Business.
Which Capital One Spark card is right for you?
When choosing which Spark card is right for your business, you must first ask yourself two questions:
- Do you want to earn cash back or miles?
- Are you willing to pay an annual fee?
Once you answer these questions it is easy to find the right card for you. If you want to earn cash back, opt for a Spark Cash card, and if you want to earn miles, opt for a Spark Miles card.
In regards to annual fees, the Spark cards with annual fees earn at least 2% cash back or 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, whereas the no-annual-fee cards earn at least 1% cash back or 1 mile per dollar. If your business has a lot of annual spending, I recommend opting for the card with the highest earning rates, as you will likely recoup the cost of the annual fee in bonus cash back or miles earned.
Related: Business cards vs. personal cards: Key differences
Can I have more than 1 Spark credit card from Capital One?
Yes, you can have more than one Spark card at the same time. It's important to note you can only apply for one Capital One card every six months. Considering that, make sure to spread your applications out over a long enough time period.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
What is the credit limit for Capital One Spark?
The Capital One Spark Cash does not have a preset spending limit. With the other Spark cards, credit limits can range from $2,000 to $60,000, depending on the specific card.
What kind of card is Capital One Spark?
Capital One Spark cards can be either Visa or Mastercard. It depends on which card product you have.
Does Capital One Spark pull personal credit?
Capital One does look at your personal credit report when you apply for a Spark card. The TPG-recommended credit score for most of the Spark cards is at least 740; however, it is possible to get approved with a lower credit score.
If you're applying for the Spark Classic card, you can get approved with fair credit, as that card is geared toward businesses getting started with business cards. The Spark Miles cards also report to your personal credit profile, but the Spark Cash cards do not.
Related: What credit score do you need for business credit cards?
What is the minimum credit limit for Capital One Spark?
Datapoints show the minimum credit limit for Spark cards is $2,000. We have seen credit limits as high as $60,000 on the Spark Cash and Spark Miles for Business. It is important to note there is no preset limit with the Spark Cash Plus.
Related: How to get a business credit card
Bottom line
As with Capital One's personal cards, you can maximize your rewards strategy by combining two (or more) Spark business cards that offer you the most miles and benefits for your business spending. It can also be a great way to separate business and personal expenses.
If you plan to apply for one or more of these cards, it's generally recommended that you apply for no more than one personal and one business card with Capital One in a 60-day window. If you're denied, you can always call the reconsideration line to try to get your application approved. The Spark business cards can be a great addition to your business as they offer simplicity and flexibility with earning and redeeming rewards.
Related: How to apply for a Capital One 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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