Capital One Spark Miles Select Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
You can pass on the Capital One Spark Miles Select business credit card unless you already have one of the Capital One Venture cards (either Venture X or Venture Rewards). Even then, you should only look at this card if you are at or near Chase’s 5/24 rule and have already exhausted business card options from Chase and American Express. For that small group, this card offers a solid opportunity to collect the 50,000-mile sign-up bonus without worrying about an annual fee or increasing your 5/24 count. However, note that if you've opened either of the Venture cards within the past six months, Capital One's rules prohibit you from being approved for this or any other Capital One card.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Capital One Spark Miles Select business card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles, a notable amount for a card without an annual fee. To earn this bonus, you must spend $4,500 in the first three months. Beyond the initial bonus, you'll earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, with an even greater reward of unlimited 5 miles per dollar when booking hotels and rental cars through the Capital One travel portal.
Additionally, the card provides travel protections such as rental collision coverage and roadside assistance, along with extended warranty protection for eligible purchases.
Since this is a Spark Miles card, you can transfer miles to over 15 of Capital One’s travel partners, which generally offers greater value compared to booking through the travel portal. Although redemptions through transfer partners usually provide better returns, the "purchase eraser" feature is another valuable perk available with Capital One cards. This allows you to use miles at a 1:1 rate to reimburse travel expenses that aren't typically bookable with miles, including vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- Other business cards, such as the Capital One Spark 2X Miles for Business and the Capital One Spark 2% Cash Business cards, offer superior sign-up bonuses and spending multipliers. Both of these cards carry annual fees, but those fees are waived during the first year.
- Many competing business cards from other banks also provide better offers, so it’s worth exploring these alternatives unless you're specifically focused on earning Capital One miles.
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 Miles Select Credit Card Fits In The Capital One Miles Ecosystem
Capital One issues six Spark business cards and limits you to one approval every six months.
- Capital One Spark 1% Classic: No welcome bonus or spending multipliers — generally not worth considering.
- Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select: Same structure as this card (Spark 1.5x Miles Select), but rewards post as miles or cash.
- Capital One Spark 2% Cash and Capital One Spark 2x Miles: The 2% Cash card offers $750 (75,000‑mile equivalent) after $7,500 in spending; the 2x Miles card gives 50,000 miles for $4,500 in spending. Both cards have better rewards.
- Spark 2% Cash Plus and Capital One Venture X Business: Both require $30,000 of spending in three months to unlock sizable bonuses, but Venture X Business layers on premium travel perks the Cash Plus card lacks.
If your business spends heavily, weigh the two premium options. Otherwise, the Spark 1.5x Miles Select remains a niche choice — best for collecting a no‑fee sign‑up bonus while you navigate the 5/24 rule.
My Experience, No Filter
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 Miles Select Application Rules
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
