Capital One Spark Classic for Business Review: A Business Credit Card to Build Credit

Card basics

Card Type	Business
Star ratings	3.8 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	Year one earnings: $253 Year two earnings: $253
Annual Fee	$0
Recommended Credit Score	Fair
Foreign Transaction Fee	None

Who should get this card?

The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is a useful option for small business owners with average or fair credit. Let me warn you that it won’t bowl you over with high-level perks like other small business credit cards, but it benefits business owners with little to no credit. If you haven’t had luck getting approved for traditional business credit cards, this could be your answer.

There’s a $0 annual fee attached to this card, and it offers easy-to-understand cashback rewards. You also don’t have to worry about memorizing special spending categories because you’ll earn an easy 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, including spending on employee cards.

If you’re a business owner looking to improve your credit, with responsible use, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business can help you achieve your goals.

Top features

• Easy-to-track rewards program: Cardholders earn a flat 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. While not the highest rewards rate on the market, there are no spending categories to track or complex point systems to learn.
• Free employee cards: Business owners can get free cards for any of their employees. You’ll earn rewards from all of their purchases and can set individual spending limits for each employee.
• $0 annual fee: Business owners can use the Capital One Spark Classic for Business to cover company expenses with no worries of an added annual fee.
• Travel perks: This isn’t a travel rewards card but offers some nice travel perks, including no foreign transaction fee, and access to Capital One Travel where you can get some of the lowest prices on thousands of trip options, plus earn 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Pick your due date: I like that Capital One puts you in the driver’s seat, letting you choose your bill’s due date. This helps you stay on track with your payments, and potentially helps you build credit faster.
• Roadside assistance: The card offers access to roadside assistance if you experience auto emergencies, such as needing a tow, jump start, or tire change, providing peace of mind for you and your employees.
• Extended warranty: Get access to an additional warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty on purchases made with your card.

Earning & redeeming

Capital One’s Spark Classic for Business keeps earning rewards simple. You earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Unfortunately, there’s no early spend bonus or opportunity to earn extra rewards with this card.

Best ways to earn

The best way to earn rewards with the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is to use it as much as possible for business purchases. I suggest using it for as many of the following purchases as possible:

• Office or shop supplies
• Office equipment
• Fuel
• Travel expenses (book through Capital One Travel for boosted earnings)
• Marketing expenses
• Client entertainment

However, I encourage you to use caution. Try to avoid carrying a balance. If you do, you’ll pay interest charges thanks to the card’s relatively high APR (annual percentage rate) — and any interest costs you pay will eat into your net cashback rewards.

Maximizing your redemptions

Because rewards are cash back, redemptions are simple with Capital One’s Spark Classic for Business. You can request:

• A statement credit
• A check

The good news is that there’s no minimum, so you can redeem anytime you want. This allows you to put cash back into your business.

I suggest taking advantage of the automatic redemptions feature. You can choose either:

• A set time each calendar year to automatically redeem your cash back
• Set a certain dollar threshold at which to redeem your rewards

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your earnings can add up with the Capital One Spark Classic. 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.

Year one earnings: $253

Year two earnings: $253

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.

FAQ

Other cards to consider

If you have average-to-good credit, you may have other more robust business credit card options including the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business and Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card.

Capital One Spark Cash Select

The Capital One Spark Cash Select also has a $0 annual fee, but you’ll enjoy better perks than what the Spark Classic card offers. It comes with the chance to earn a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening and earns up to 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Learn more in our Capital One Spark Cash Select review.

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

Business owners interested in cashback rewards and a hefty welcome bonus should also consider the Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card. You can earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Plus, earn 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. There’s a $0 annual fee, plus a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then 17.99% - 25.99% Variable).

The alternative cards are for business owners who have established good credit and want more out of their business credit card. If you’re looking to build credit or get approved with fair credit, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is still your best bet.

Learn more in our Ink Business Cash review.

No annual fee

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

3.8

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 Classic for Business

3.8

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.

Why We Like It

Unlimited cash back

See how these cards compare:

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

• $0 annual fee
• Automatic earnings on all purchases
• Option to increase earnings by booking travel through Capital One

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