Capital One offers an expansive suite of personal cards, some of which are at the top of our lists, but it also offers a family of cards designed for businesses.
These cards are known as the Spark cards, and they earn cash back.
You can currently apply for three Spark cards: the Capital One Spark Cash Plus, Capital One Spark Cash and the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
With these cards’ similar names and earning rates, let’s dive into the differences and examine the cards and their welcome offers.
Comparison of the Capital One Spark business cards
| Card name | Welcome bonus | Key benefits | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Earn a one-time $2,000 cash bonus, and for a limited time, earn a $500 Capital One Business Travel credit after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year. |
|
$150 |
|
|
Earn a $1,000 cash bonus, and for a limited time, earn a $250 Capital One Business Travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
|
|
Earn a $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
Related: Complete guide to saving money with Capital One Offers
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
If your business spends a lot each month, consider the Spark Cash Plus.
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $2,000 cash bonus, and for a limited time, earn a $500 Capital One Business Travel credit after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year.
Annual fee
This card charges a $150 annual fee.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
- An unlimited 2% cash back on all other purchases.
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Who should apply?
The Spark Cash Plus carries a $150 annual fee. Businesses with high spending should consider this card for its lucrative welcome bonus, which offers unlimited bonus-earning potential in the first year.
Plus, if you spend $150,000 or more in a calendar year, your annual fee will be refunded.
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
If you’d like to earn unlimited cash back for a lower annual fee, the Spark Cash could be a great fit.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $1,000 cash bonus, and for a limited time, earn a $250 Capital One Business Travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee
You’ll have a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then pay a $95 annual fee with this card.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
- An unlimited 2% cash back on all other purchases.
Who should apply?
Those looking to earn cash back and redeem any amount at any time should consider this card, as it lets you recoup your expenses and invest them right back into your business.
While the card doesn’t have many standout benefits, it is incredibly simple to use and ensures you’ll earn at least 2% cash back on all purchases. However, you may have a hard time justifying the card’s $95 annual fee after the first year, unless you’re spending enough to recoup the annual fee in cash back.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash
Capital One Spark Cash Select
For a no-annual-fee business card, the Capital One Spark Cash Select is a solid choice.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee
This card does not charge an annual fee.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
- An unlimited 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
Which Capital One Spark card is right for you?
If you’re deciding between the Capital One Spark cards, consider:
- Whether you want to pay an annual fee
- How many bonus categories you want access to
- Welcome bonus spending requirements
If you can meet a high spending requirement for a welcome offer and don’t mind paying an annual fee, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus could be a great choice.
If you’re willing to pay a lower annual fee and can spend $10,000 on a new card in three months, consider the Capital One Spark Cash.
Finally, if you prefer no annual fee and a lower minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer, you’re a solid candidate for the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
Related: Business cards vs. personal cards: Key differences
Can I have more than one Spark credit card from Capital One?
Yes, you can hold more than one Capital One Spark card at the same time.
It’s important to note that 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
Bottom line
Capital One’s Spark business cards can provide an excellent path for business owners to maximize their rewards strategy. 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 and 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
