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Capital One Spark Cash Plus
vs. Capital One Spark Cash Select
Updated: October 23, 2024
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The Capital One Spark Cash Plus and the Capital One Spark Cash Select will appeal to those looking to turn business purchases into rewards. But which card is the best match for your needs?
MoneyGeek compared the two Capital One small business cards by analyzing certain factors like rewards programs, annual fees, early spend bonuses and more. For example, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus has a $150 annual fee, whereas the Capital One Spark Cash Select has none.
Comparison Overview: Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. Capital One Spark Cash Select
- Capital One Spark Cash PlusCapital One Spark Cash Select
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Capital One Spark Cash Plus At a Glance
One thing to note is that the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a charge card, which means it has no preset spending limit. This feature could benefit business owners who need flexibility in spending. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on every purchase and up to a $1,000 cash bonus.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Generous flat-rate cash back on business expenses
- 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
- None (charge card)APR
- $150Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- High flat-rate cash back on all spending
- Bonus cash back on select travel purchases
- Generous one-time cash bonus
- Comprehensive suite of business tools
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No option to carry a balance
- Annual fee with lower spending
Introductory Offers
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 after spending $30,000 in the first three months.
- Receive an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent in the first year, with no limit on how many times you can earn this bonus.
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no category restrictions.
- Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a spending limit that adapts to your business needs, with no preset limit based on your spending behavior and credit profile.
- Empower your team with free employee and virtual cards, and earn rewards from their transactions.
- Automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software.
- Spend $150,000 annually to get your $150 annual fee refunded.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- The Spark Cash Plus card requires you to pay your balance in full each month, as there is no APR.
Capital One Spark Cash Select At a Glance
The Capital One Spark Cash Select is great for small business owners who want an unlimited cash back card without paying any annual or foreign transaction fees. You earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase and a $500 cash bonus when you spend $4,500 within the first three months of account opening.
- Capital One Spark Cash Select
A great no-annual-fee business card with 1.5% cash back
- 1.5% — 5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 18.49% – 24.49% variableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Bonus cash back on travel booked through Capital One Travel
- Generous sign up bonus
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free employee cards
Cons
- Flat-rate cash back could be higher
- No intro APR offer
- No options to redeem points for travel
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $500 bonus after spending $4,500 in the first three months.
Rewards
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One Travel.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Perks & Benefits
- Free employee cards.
- Track and monitor all cards.
- Access business reporting options, including year-end itemized summaries for taxes and purchase records in multiple formats.
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek examined the differences between the Capital One Spark Cash Plus and the Capital One Spark Cash Select to help you choose the best business credit card for your wallet.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Cash Back Reward | Both cards let you earn unlimited cash back. The Capital One Spark Cash Plus allows you to earn 2% cash back for your business on every purchase without any limits or category restrictions. Meanwhile, the Capital One Spark Cash Select gives you flat-rate rewards of 1.5% cash back on all your purchases. Winner: Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
Early Spend Bonus | Capital One Spark Cash Plus cardholders can earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus — $500 when you spend $5,000 in the first three months and another $500 when you spend $50,000 in the first six months from account opening. On the other hand, cardholders of the Capital One Spark Cash Selects can earn a one-time $500 cash bonus when they spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Winner: Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
Annual Fee | The Capital One Spark Cash Plus has a $150 annual fee, which is high compared to other cards in the same category. Meanwhile, the Capital One Spark Cash Select has no annual fee. Winner: Capital One Spark Cash Select |
APR | The Capital One Spark Cash Plus has no monthly APR. This means you have to pay your balance in full every month. If you can’t, a 2.99% late fee will be charged to your outstanding balance. On the other hand, the Capital One Spark Cash Selecthas a variable APR of 17.99% to23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Winner: Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
Which Card Should You Get?
It’s essential to consider your small business spending needs and situation before choosing between the Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
Who Should Consider the Capital One Spark Cash Plus?
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is an attractive option for small business owners who want a simple rewards program. You can earn unlimited 2% cash back on all your purchases everywhere using this card.
Business owners who require flexibility in their spending habits can take advantage of having no predetermined spending limit with this card.
High-spending business owners who can pay their balances in full every month will have no problem keeping this card.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Capital One Spark Cash Select?
Small business owners who want to earn decent rewards without paying annual or foreign transaction fees will appreciate the Capital One Spark Cash Select. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase anywhere.
Business owners who don’t want to pay an annual fee for their credit card.
Business owners who don’t want to keep track of a card’s earning rates or spending categories will enjoy this card’s simple rewards structure.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
If you’re spending a significant amount of money on a consistent basis, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card will be a great fit for you and your business. If you spend inconsistently or make modest purchases, the Spark Cash Select will easily help you earn solid cash back without the pesky annual fee.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Choosing the right card for your business can be tricky. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision when selecting the Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. Capital One Spark Cash Select credit card.
Is the Capital One Spark Cash Plus better than the Capital One Spark Cash Select?
The best card depends on your needs and financial habits. If you want better rewards and an annual cash bonus, then the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the card for you. But if you’re more likely to carry a balance every month, the Capital One Spark Cash Select is the better option.
Can you get the Capital One Spark Cash Plus if you have the Capital One Spark Cash Select?
Yes you can.
Can you transfer points from Capital One Spark Cash Plus to Capital One Spark Cash Select?
Neither card earns points.
Can you switch from the Capital One Spark Cash Plus to the Capital One Spark Cash Select?
Yes, you can switch from the Capital One Spark Cash Plus to the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
What’s harder to get, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus or the Capital One Spark Cash Selects?
Both cards are easy to get as long as you have an excellent credit score.
How much do you have to spend for the Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. the Capital One Spark Cash Select to get the welcome bonus?
For the Capital One Spark Cash Plus, you have to spend $5,000 in the first three months and $50,000 in the first six months to receive the $1,000 cash early spend bonus. Meanwhile, you have to spend $4,500 within the first three months of account opening to get the $500 cash early spend bonus offered by the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
If you’re still on the fence about getting either the Capital One Spark Cash Plus or the Capital One Spark Cash Select, take a look at some of the other cards in the cash back or rewards categories to see if those options are a better fit for you.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Capital One. "Capital One Spark Cash Plus." Accessed October 23, 2024.
- Capital One. "Capital One Spark Cash Select." Accessed October 23, 2024.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.