Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Review 2019

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business is best for businesses that spend money in several categories and don’t want to track category bonuses. You will earn unlimited 2% cash back on all spending. This card has no annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter. Its variable ongoing annual percentage rate (APR) is 18.74% .

The best cash back business credit cards that offer fixed-rate rewards pay up to 2% cash back on everyday spending. Some cash back cards offer category bonuses and pay a higher rate of up to 5% cash back. This Capital One business credit card offers the highest fixed-rate cash back return among small business credit cards. However, it offers no interest-free financing. We rate this card 4 out of 5 stars.

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How We Evaluated the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers top rewards among other fixed-rate cash back small business credit cards. In our evaluation, we also considered the card’s introductory rewards, annual fees, and additional features like fraud protection and insurance. This card has an annual fee of $95 but is free for the first year of card ownership.

We considered the following criteria in our evaluation of this business credit card:

• Ongoing rewards: The rewards you’ll earn when you use the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. This Capital One business credit card offers unlimited 2% cash back.
• Introductory rewards: The introductory offer you can earn by reaching a minimum spending requirement. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 within the first three months.
• Additional benefits: Whether the card has additional card benefits and perks. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers card perks, including extended warranty protection, purchase security, car rental insurance, and emergency assistance services.
• Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card every year. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business has an annual fee of $95, which is waived during the first year.
• Introductory APR: Whether the card has an introductory 0% APR period. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business does not offer an interest-free financing period.
• Ongoing APR: How much it will cost to finance purchases on your card. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business has a variable ongoing APR of 18.74%.

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business doesn’t offer an introductory 0% APR period. If you’re looking for a card that offers 0% APR on balance transfers, consider a balance transfer business credit card.

How We Evaluate Cash Back Business Credit Cards

When grading cash back business credit cards like the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, we weight ongoing rewards heaviest. We rate introductory rewards as slightly less important, but it’s still the second biggest factor. We also consider the annual fee, introductory and ongoing APRs, and additional features.

We graded the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business using the following methodology:

Based on our 5-star rating system where 20 points equals 1 star, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business would need to improve its introductory and ongoing APRs to earn 4.5 stars. In cases where cards receive perfect scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating by half a star.

This Capital One business credit card is a solid fixed-rate cash back business credit card. Although it offers top fixed-rate rewards, there are other business credit cards that offer a higher return. For example, the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card pays up to 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, cellular phone, and landline services. That card is beneficial if your business has several office-related expenses.

Who the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Is Right For

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business is best for businesses that have a variety of spending needs and don’t focus spending in one category. You’ll be able to earn unlimited 2% cash back without having to track category bonuses each month.

Alternatives to Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

Compared to the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, other cash back business credit cards offer interest-free financing, lower ongoing APRs, and higher reward payouts. You can even find business credit cards that carry no annual fees.

Three alternatives to the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business include the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card, U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®, and American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card is best for businesses that have big office-related expenses. It offers top category cash back rewards and a substantial introductory reward. Plus, you will have access to a long introductory 0% APR period on purchases, which the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business doesn’t offer. You can learn more about this card’s rewards and value in our Chase Ink Business Cash^SM review.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®

This card is best for businesses that want no-interest financing for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, it offers bonus category rewards and pays up to 3% cash back in multiple spending categories. Its ongoing APR is about five percentage points lower compared to Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. To learn more about this card, our in-depth U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard® review can help.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card

The American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card is best for business owners who want to have a long introductory 0% APR period on both purchases and balance transfers. This card offers an identical fixed-rate return, but the rewards are in the form of points instead of cash back. Our American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card review explains this card’s value and additional perks in detail.

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Costs

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers no introductory 0% APR period and carries a variable ongoing APR of 18.74%. This Capital One business credit card is free for the first year and costs $95 thereafter. There are other cash back business credit cards that don’t charge an annual fee, such as the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card.

Financing costs and fees on this Capital One business credit card include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 18.74% variable, which changes with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $95, which is waived over the first year
• Balance transfer fee: None
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Cash advance fee: $10 or 3%, whichever is greater (cash advance APR is 24.74% variable)
• Late payment fee: Up to $39
• Returned payment fee: None
• Penalty APR: 31.15% variable, which is applied if you make a late payment

The ongoing APR on the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business is relatively high when compared to other small business credit cards.

How to Avoid Paying Interest on the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

To avoid interest on the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, you must pay your entire balance by your due date. Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. Other business credit cards may offer shorter payment windows. For instance, the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card requires you to pay your balance at least 20 days after the close of each billing cycle.

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business pays 2% cash back on all spending. Plus, it offers an introductory reward of $500 after you spend $4,500 within the first three months. There are other small business credit cards that offer the same cash bonus, but a lower minimum spending requirement.

Introductory Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 within the first three months.

We consider the $500 cash bonus provided on the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business to be a top introductory reward offered on cash back credit cards. However, there are business credit cards that have lower minimum spending requirements. For example, Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card offers a $500 cash bonus after spending $3,000 within the first three months.

Ongoing Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business offers 2% cash back on all purchases.

As a fixed-rate rewards credit card, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business provides top ongoing rewards. However, there are other cards that offer better rewards if you want to earn them based on specific spending categories.

If you’re looking to earn miles instead of cash back, Capital One also offers the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business. That card is a similar business credit card with the exception of its reward redemption options. We also believe that card is one of the best business credit cards for travel.

Rewards Restrictions

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business won’t give rewards for the following:

• Cash advances
• Balance transfers
• Checks used to access your account

There is no cap to the number of rewards you can earn. Plus, your rewards don’t expire and are yours for the entire life of your account. If you close your account, you will lose any rewards you have not redeemed.

How You Can Redeem Your Rewards

There are four primary ways to redeem your rewards:

• Statement credit or check: You can get your cash back upon request in the form of a statement credit or a check by mail.
• Redeem for a purchase: You can redeem your rewards for a recent transaction made on your Capital One business credit card.
• Redeem for gift cards: You can redeem your rewards for gift cards at restaurants, retailers, or hotels. Your gift card will arrive within two to three weeks.
• Automatic redemption: You have two options for receiving your rewards automatically. You can receive them at a set time each calendar year or when a threshold has been reached ― $25, $50, $100, $200, $500 or $1,500.

There are other small business credit cards that provide more reward redemption options. For example, the American Express Blue Business® Plus lets you redeem your rewards for your charges, travel, gift cards, Amazon purchases, event tickets, and for some taxis in New York City.

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Additional Features

According to Capital One’s website, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business includes numerous additional card features, such as fraud protection and insurance. Upon approval, you’ll either receive Visa® Signature Business Benefits or Visa® Business Benefits. We spoke to Capital One, and they would not disclose the factors that determine this. However, this shouldn’t be a big factor in your decision to apply.

In our review, we cover Visa® Signature Business Benefits, which include travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and price protection plan in addition to all Visa® Business Benefits.

The additional features included in Visa® Business Benefits are:

• Purchase security
• Extended warranty protection
• Auto collision damage waiver
• Travel and emergency services

The additional features included in Visa® Signature Business Benefits are:

• Purchase security
• Extended warranty protection
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Auto collision damage waiver
• Travel and emergency services
• Price protection plan

Other credit card issuers offer similar additional card features to Visa® Signature Business Benefits, such as American Express. These features can be worth thousands of dollars every year.

Purchase Security

According to Capital One’s website, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business covers purchased items that were either stolen or damaged for the first 90 days after your purchase. Purchase security will replace, repair, or reimburse you up to the original purchasing price. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder.

What’s Covered With the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Purchase Security

You’ll receive coverage on items that were either stolen or damaged within 90 days of the purchase date and paid for entirely on your Capital One business credit card. Other credit cards offer longer coverage windows. For example, the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card provides purchase protection for the first 120 days after your purchase.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Purchase Security Excludes

Purchase protection does not cover the following types of purchases:

• Animals and living plants
• Antiques or collectible items
• Boats, aircraft, automobiles, and any other motorized vehicles and their motors, equipment, or accessories, including trailers
• Computer software
• Items purchased for resale
• Items that are lost
• Items under the care and control of a common carrier
• Jewelry and watches stored in your baggage
• Theft or damage resulting from abuse, fraud, or hostilities of any kind
• Theft or damage resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with property
• Medical equipment
• Perishables or consumables

Some credit cards offer higher coverage levels. For example, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business covers up to $10,000 per claim compared to the $1,000 per claim coverage on the American Express Blue Business® Plus. Purchase security exclusions are common across business credit cards.

Extended Warranty Protection

According to Capital One’s website, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business provides extended warranty protection on warranties of three years or less. Capital One will double the time period of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder.

What’s Covered With the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Extended Warranty Protection

Extended warranty protection covers purchased items with warranties of three years or less. This is a shorter window of additional coverage compared to other business credit cards.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Extended Warranty Protection Excludes

The following purchases are not covered by extended warranty protection:

• Boats, automobiles, aircraft, and any other motorized vehicles and their motors, equipment, or accessories
• Any costs other than those specifically covered under the terms of the original manufacturer’s written United States repair warranty, as supplied by the original manufacturer, or other eligible warranty
• Items purchased for resale
• Computer software
• Medical equipment
• Real estate and items which are intended to become part of real estate including
• Rented or leased items, or items purchased on an installment plan
• Used or pre-owned items

These extended warranty exclusions are similar to what other business credit cards with this protection exclude.

Travel Accident Insurance

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One provides travel accident insurance up to $250,000 when you use the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business to pay for a trip. It covers you, your spouse, and unmarried dependent children. Travel accident insurance is only available through Visa® Signature Business Benefits. The type of benefits you receive will be determined upon approval.

What’s Covered With the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance covers accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech or hearing while riding as a passenger in, entering or exiting any licensed common carrier. Coverage is limited to $250,000. Other cards, such as the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card, provide lower coverage levels. That card offers travel accident insurance up to $100,000.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Travel Accident Insurance Excludes

The travel accident insurance doesn’t cover loss resulting from:

• Emotional trauma, mental or physical illness, disease, pregnancy, childbirth or miscarriage, bacterial or viral infection, or bodily malfunctions
• Suicide, attempted suicide, or intentionally self-inflicted injuries
• Declared or undeclared war, but war does not include acts of terrorism
• Travel between the insured person’s residence and regular place of employment

Travel accident insurance exclusions are common when compared to other small business credit cards and credit card issuers, such as American Express.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One provides lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 ($2,000 for New York residents) if your checked luggage or carry-on baggage are lost due to theft or misdirection by the common carrier. Lost luggage reimbursement is only available through Visa® Signature Business Benefits. The type of benefits you receive will be determined upon approval.

What’s Covered With the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Lost Baggage Reimbursement

To be eligible for Capital One’s lost luggage reimbursement, your entire trip fare must be charged to your Capital One business credit card. This protection covers the value of your checked luggage and carry-on baggage up to $3,000 per trip. Other cash back credit cards don’t offer lost luggage reimbursement, including the Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM credit card.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Lost Baggage Reimbursement Excludes

The following items are not covered by the baggage insurance plan:

• Automobiles, automobile accessories and/or equipment; motorcycles, motors, bicycles (except when checked with the common carrier), boats, or other vehicles or conveyances
• Contact lenses, eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids, artificial teeth, dental bridges, and prosthetic limbs
• Money, securities, credit or debit cards, checks, and traveler’s checks
• Tickets, documents, keys, coins, deeds, bullion, stamps, perishables, consumables, perfume, cosmetics, rugs and carpets, animals, cameras, sporting equipment, and household furniture
• Property shipped as freight or shipped prior to the trip departure date
• Items specifically identified or described in and insured under any other insurance policy
• Losses arising from confiscation or expropriation by any government or public authority or detention by customs or other officials
• Losses resulting from abuse, fraud, or hostilities of any kind
• Business Items, cellular telephones, or art objects

Excluded items here are similar across small business credit cards that provide baggage insurance or lost luggage reimbursement.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One provides an auto rental collision damage waiver in case of damage due to collision or theft. This acts as primary coverage if the car rental is for business purposes, which means you won’t need to use your personal insurance or accept the rental company’s insurance. You may be reimbursed up to the cash value of the vehicle.

What’s Covered With the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

The auto rental collision waiver covers losses due to theft or collision that occurs while the authorized driver is driving the rental car. This coverage is limited to the first 31 consecutive days of the car rental agreement.

This coverage is similar to what other business credit cards that offer primary car rental insurance coverage. Some other business credit card may put a monetary cap on the coverage. For example, the American Express® Business Gold Card limits coverage to $50,000.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver Excludes

The following auto rental collision damage waiver coverage limits apply:

• Expensive, exotic, and antique automobiles
• Certain vans
• Vehicles that have an open cargo bed
• Trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes
• Limousines and recreational vehicles
• Wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or mechanical breakdown
• Any violation of the rental agreement
• Loss or theft of personal belonging
• Confiscation by authorities
• Rental periods that exceed 31 consecutive days
• Leases or mini leases
• Theft or damage reported more than 45 days from the date of the incident

Small business credit cards that offer primary car rental insurance generally have similar exclusions.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One provides travel, emergency, medical, and legal assistance 24 hours a day to the cardholder, their immediate family members, and any business associates. Although it’s free to call, you’ll be responsible for the cost of any actual medical, legal, transportation, cash advance, or other services provided.

Services Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Provides

This card offers the following travel and emergency services

• Record and relay urgent messages
• Transportation assistance home or to the nearest medical facility
• Ticket replacement
• Emergency translation service
• Lost luggage locator service
• Pretrip assistance

This card offers the following medical and legal services

• Medical referral assistance
• Medical prescription assistance
• Referrals for English-speaking attorneys and U.S. embassies

This is a similar additional benefit provided by other small business credit cards. However, cards without annual fees typically offer fewer services. For example, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM charges no annual fee and doesn’t provide referrals for English-speaking attorneys and U.S. embassies.

Price Protection Plan

According to Capital One’s website, the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business price protection plan helps you save money on products when you purchase them entirely on your card. Capital One will refund you the difference if you purchase an item and then see it for a lower price in another store’s printed advertisement within 60 days of purchase. You will receive a refund of the difference up to $500 per item and up to $2,500 per eligible account.

We have reviewed several other business credit cards and have not seen a benefit like this before. This additional feature is unique to Capital One business credit cards. However, price protection is only available through Visa® Signature Business Benefits. The type of benefits you receive will be determined upon approval.

Adding Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Employee Cards

You can issue additional Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business employee card at no additional cost. Most business credit cards offer free employee cards, even if the primary card carries an annual fee. Employee cards are a great way to track employee spending and earn rewards from their purchases.

If your business has $4 million or more in annual revenue and $250,000 or more in annual card expenses, consider a corporate credit card. Corporate credit cards charge no interest because the balance is due in full monthly. Plus, company owners have no personal liability.

What the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Is Missing

The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business doesn’t have an introductory APR period and has a high ongoing APR. This card isn’t right for you if you need to carry a balance or finance a large business-related purchase. If you frequently carry balances, consider a 0% APR business credit card. The best 0% APR credit cards offer introductory 0% APR periods up to 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Reviews

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business user reviews are mostly positive. Cardholders especially enjoy the unlimited ongoing rewards they can earn on all spending and the card’s perks. However, some users complain about the card’s annual fee and the company’s customer service.

How to Apply for the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

You can apply for the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business online. To get a business credit card, you’ll be required to fill out a basic application with your business and personal information. Typically, you will receive a decision immediately. If you don’t receive your decision right away, you’ll receive further details in an email or letter within seven to 10 business days. Once approved, you’ll receive your card within seven to 10 business days.

How to Log Into Your Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Account

You can log into your Capital One account online by providing your username and password. If you run into issues, you can call customer service using the phone number on the back of your credit card.

Other Capital One Business Credit Cards

Capital One offers four other business credit cards, which are best for business owners who want to earn unlimited fixed-rate rewards. You may want to consider one of these cards if the cash back rewards or ongoing APR on the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business doesn’t catch your attention.

The other Capital One business credit cards are:

• Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business: Best for business owners who want to earn unlimited fixed-rate travel rewards. This card is similar to the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business with the exception of how you can redeem your rewards.
• Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for business owners who want an introductory 0% APR period on purchases and earn unlimited cash back on every purchase. This card charges no annual fee.
• Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business: Best for business owners who want to earn unlimited miles on every purchase and have interest-free financing on purchases. This card does not carry an annual fee.
• Capital One® Spark Classic for Business: Best for business owners who want to build their credit with an unsecured credit card. We believe this is the best fair credit business credit card. This card has no annual fee.

For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business® Plus, please click here.