Capital One Spark Cash Plus Review [2024]: Great for Businesses That Spend a Lot

Card basics

Card type	Business
Star rating	4.4 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p>	Year one earnings: $356 Year two earnings: $356
Annual fee	$150
Welcome offer	Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Reward rate	Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Recommended credit score	Excellent
Foreign transaction fee	None

If you’re looking for a charge card (not a credit card), and your business spends a lot of money, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus(Rates and fees) may be a great option. I love the 2% unlimited cash back on every purchase, every day because you don’t have to mess with categories; you just spend how you normally do and know you’ll earn 2% back.

The annual fee is actually fair for what you get with this card, and if your business spends a lot of money (over $150,000 annually), Capital One will refund this fee every year.

Who should get the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card?

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is an ideal card if your business spends a lot of money. You can earn a generous 2% cash back on every purchase, every day with no limit. The welcome offer alone is worth it — Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.

While I don’t think it’s a reason to get the card, you also earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which is also an elevated reward. So if you travel for business often, and spend a lot of money, you can’t lose with this card, as long as you have excellent credit.

Top benefits and perks

• Generous early spend bonus: Cardholders can earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
• Simple rewards program: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Free cards for employees: Get as many employee cards as you need at no extra cost and earn rewards for purchases they make. You also have the option to set spending limits for employee cards.
• No foreign transaction fee: You can make purchases abroad without any fees. Other cards charge as much as 3% when making purchases outside of the U.S. or in foreign currencies.
• Extended warranty: Visa extends the length of your manufacturer’s warranty for eligible purchases made on your card.² <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.<br></p>
• $0 fraud liability: With this card, you get $0 fraud liability, which offers valuable protection if your card is lost or stolen.² <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.<br></p>
  
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Get help coordinating medical, legal, and travel services when you're away from home.² <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.<br></p>

Earning & redeeming cash back

Finding ways to maximize earnings on the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card is simple. First, use it for hotel and rental car accommodations by booking through Capital One Travel. You’ll earn 5% cash back in both categories.

In addition, use the card for almost any business purchase, including airfare, supplies, equipment, internet, cable, and other expenses as you’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase, every day .

As you probably noticed, you don’t have to worry about tracking categories, so it’s a no-brainer to use your card for as many expenses as possible.

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your earnings can add up with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. To calculate these values, we used estimated spending by businesses in a variety of categories.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

The welcome offer is not included in our year one calculation because the minimum spending requirement is higher than what our model assumes a typical small online business spends. If you can meet the minimum spend, your year-one earnings would be significantly higher.

Year one earnings: $356

Year two earnings: $356

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee.

Maximizing your redemptions

It’s easy to maximize your redemptions with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card because all redemptions have the same value. So whether you choose a statement credit, check, or gift card, you get the same value.

You can also set up automatic redemptions either when you meet a certain spending threshold or for a set time each calendar year. 

FAQ

Other cards to consider

While the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a solid business rewards card, if it doesn't sound like the right fit, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card or the Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card may be worth considering.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express® earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that. Plus, it has a $0 annual fee. The card includes car rental loss and damage insurance coverage, so if you travel often, you can rest assured that you have adequate rental insurance coverage.³ <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>

Learn more in our Blue Business Cash review.

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

If you'd rather earn a higher rewards rate for certain types of spending, The Ink Business Cash Card may be a good option for you. This credit card offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also has a $0 annual fee.

Learn more in our Ink Business Cash review.

Unlimited 2% Cash Back

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.4

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.4

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Apply Now

Why We Like It

Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months

Rates and fees

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See how these cards compare:

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

• $0 annual fee
• 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that
• Flexible spending limit
• See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

• Solid rewards on office supply, telecom spending, gas, and dining
• Generous welcome offer
• Intro APR on purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Valuable purchase and travel protections