Capital One Spark Cash Select Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Capital One Spark Cash Select business card is one of six Spark cards, but it is not one we recommend. Its welcome offer provides $500 cash back rather than miles, which limits its overall value. You can convert those cash back rewards into transferable miles only if you already have an eligible miles‑earning Capital One card. If you don’t, you’ll want to start with a miles‑earning option — our top picks are the Capital One Venture X or Venture Rewards cards. This business card does not count against your 5/24 limit. However, even if you’re nearing that limit, there are other Capital One business cards we’d recommend over this one.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
This card simplifies rewards with:
- $500 cash back after spending $4,500 in the first three months
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase, everywhere, with no category restrictions—helping you earn more cash back while working toward your sign‑up bonus
- No annual fee
- Roadside assistance
- Extended warranty protection on eligible items purchased with this card
At first glance, this might suit a small business just getting into points and miles. However, we generally prefer miles and points for travel deals over cash back. You can transfer these cash back rewards to miles by moving them to an eligible miles‑earning Capital One card. If you plan to do that, you might as well choose the Spark Miles Select Business card, which offers identical bonuses in miles instead of cash.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You prefer miles instead of cash. While you can transfer cash rewards to an eligible miles‑earning Capital One card, you can skip that extra step by choosing a miles‑earning card from the start.
- You don’t mind canceling a card after the first year to take advantage of a more lucrative card with an annual fee that’s waived in the first year. Several Spark cards offer that feature.
What to Know About Capital One Miles
Capital One is a flexible point system we use for travel items that other systems don't cover
- Car Rentals, cruises, and vacation home rentals top our list of uses for Capital One Miles
- Partner transfers are niche airlines and hotel brands, making the points less attractive
- Point redemptions are so similar to cash that they can be less satisfying for the hobbyist
- Capital One is particularly attractive to businesses with large spends
How The Capital One Spark Cash Select Credit Card Fits In The Capital One Miles Ecosystem
Five of the six Spark Business cards share similar sign‑up bonuses and benefits. This card and the Spark Miles Select are nearly identical — one pays out in cash, the other in miles — and both require the same spending thresholds and multiplier rates.
The next tier includes the Spark 2% Cash and Spark 2% Miles cards. The cash card requires $7,500 in spending within three months to earn a $750 cash back bonus. The miles card requires $4,500 in spending within three months to earn a 50,000‑mile bonus. Both carry a $95 annual fee, waived in the first year. There is also the Spark Classic card, which earns 1% cash back and comes with no sign‑up bonus or additional benefits; we recommend it only if your credit is limited and it’s your only approval option.
The outlier is the Spark Cash Plus business card, which offers the highest sign‑up bonus: $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 within three months. If your business has high spending, you can earn an additional $2,000 for every $500,000 spent in the first year. If you’re considering this card, also compare it to the Capital One Venture X Business card. The Venture X likewise requires $30,000 in spending within three months for its 150,000‑point bonus, but it includes a suite of additional benefits and perks.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 | $4,500 | 1.1 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$600
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Miles on every purchase | 5/24 |
Spend Categories
1.5X points
1.7¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5.5¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5.5¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends Yes
Travel Partner Transfers
Capital One Miles Outside Point System
Transfers Out To
1:1 127% value retained
1:1 127% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
2:1.5 82% value retained
1:1 109% value retained
1:1 109% value retained
1:1 109% value retained
1:1 118% value retained
1:1 109% value retained
1:1 127% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
Capital One Spark Cash Select Application Rules
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
