Card basics
Card Type | Business |
Star rating | |
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: $880
Year two earnings: $380 |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Early Spend Bonus | Earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months |
Recommended Credit Score | Excellent |
Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
It’s not easy to find a business rewards credit card without paying a hefty annual fee, but the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is a rare exception. While the $0 annual fee is an amazing perk, I also love that you can earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 1.5X miles on all other purchases made with all cards associated with the account. Not having to track categories is a major plus in my book.
Who should get this card?
Because the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has a $0 annual fee, business owners can’t go wrong with it. If you don’t like tracking categories, this card offers a slightly elevated reward on almost anything. In my book, it’s a great trade-off for not having to track categories.
Although, if you frequently travel for business, you are an even better fit for this card because it pays 5X miles per dollar spent on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel. In addition, if you travel frequently, you can redeem rewards for flights, hotels, and vacation packages or transfer points to one of their 15 travel partners, including:
Accor Live Limitless | Etihad Airways |
Aeromexico | EVA Air |
Air France | Finnair |
Air Canada | Qantas |
Asia Miles | Singapore Airlines |
Avianca LifeMiles | TAP Air Portugal |
British Airways | Turkish Airlines |
Choice Hotels | Virgin Red |
Emirates Skywards |
Top features
- Solid early spend bonus: You can earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months.
- Simple rewards rate and miles that don’t expire: You don’t have to do math to maximize your rewards with this card since there's a simple rewards program for earning and redeeming. Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 1.5X miles on all other purchases made with all cards associated with the account. Plus, your miles don’t expire, so they’re ready whenever you are.
- Flexible reward redemptions: Since your miles aren’t tied to one airline or hotel brand, you have the option to redeem your miles for most travel purchases, including with travel partners.
- Free employee cards: You don’t need to pay more for employees to get business cards, and you get to reap their rewards as you rack up miles for their spending.
- Rental collision coverage: If you pay for a rental car with your Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, you get coverage for any damage or theft that occurs to the rental car.
- Roadside assistance: You’re eligible for immediate help with roadside emergencies, such as needing a tow, tire change, or jump-start.
- Extended warranty: Receive an extended warranty beyond the manufacturer’s warranty on any products purchased with your Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business card.
Earning & redeeming
Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look at how your earnings can add up with the Capital One Spark Miles Select. 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: $880
Year two earnings: $380
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.
Best ways to earn
I highly recommend that you take advantage of the welcome offer from Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business. Earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months. For most businesses, it’s not a stretch to spend enough to qualify for the welcome offer.
After the welcome bonus, you’ll maximize your earnings by using it for hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel where you earn 5X miles per dollar spent.
In addition, paying for all other purchases with your Capital One card earns 1.5X miles per dollar spent. As long as you don’t carry a balance, it’s the best way to get valuable rewards just for spending what you’d normally spend on your business.
Maximize your redemptions
The best way to maximize your redemptions is to redeem your miles for travel. Here are a few great ways.
You can redeem your miles to cover past travel purchases (posted in the last 90 days to your account) at a rate of one cent per mile. Simply book travel as usual and use your card to pay, then log into your Capital One account to redeem your miles for the cost. You’ll receive a statement credit to cover your travel expenses.
You can also book travel directly through the Capital One site at a rate of one cent per mile. Booking options include flights, hotels, and rental cars.
Additionally, you can transfer your Capital One miles directly to more than a dozen airline partners. However, miles transfer at a 2:1.5 ratio for most airlines, so you may lose some value with this option. That said, if you can find a killer deal on a flight, this could be a useful redemption method.
FAQ
What are Capital One Spark miles worth?
Redeeming your miles for travel via the Capital One site or to cover past travel purchases offers a value of one cent per mile. If you transfer miles to airline partners, the exact worth of your miles depends on the transfer ratio and the price of the flight you book.
How do I use my Capital One Spark miles?
You can redeem miles on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more travel-related expenses. You can also redeem for cash or gift cards, but the redemption rate might be lower compared to travel rewards.
What kind of credit do I need to qualify for the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business?
You need good-to-excellent credit to qualify for this business credit card. If you’re worried about getting approved, check out these easy-to-get business credit cards.
How often does Capital One increase your credit limit?
Your credit limit is determined by a credit check and a review of your application. The minimum credit line is $2,000. Cardholders can request a credit limit increase, which requires providing information like your total annual income.
Can I use Capital One miles on Southwest?
Southwest is not one of Capital One’s travel partners, so miles can’t be transferred to Southwest. However, travel can be booked with Southwest using the Capital One card and then you can redeem miles for a statement credit to cover that purchase within 90 days of it posting to your account.
How do I redeem miles to cover travel purchases with the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business?
After you’ve booked your travel as you normally would and pay using your card, head to capitalone.com or call the Capital One Rewards Center to redeem your miles for an account credit to cover the purchase cost. You’ll need to do this within 90 days of the original purchase to get your credit.
Other business cards to consider
If the Capital One Spark Miles Select doesn’t feel like a good fit, there are other options including The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express card and the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
This card also comes with a $0 annual fee (terms apply). It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then 17.49% - 25.49% Variable.
This card offers 2X Membership Rewards points on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on eligible purchases after that, which is higher than the basic rewards rate on the Capital One Spark Miles Select card.
Learn more in our Blue Business Plus Credit Card review.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card offers 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars and booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on every purchase, every day. However, you’ll pay for that added earning potential with an annual fee of $95 (waived first year).
The early spend bonus is just as good as Capital One Spark Miles Select, with the chance to earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months from account opening. If you’re looking for higher rewards than the Capital One Spark Miles Select offers, this could be a good option.
Learn more in our Capital One Spark Miles for Business review.