Capital One Spark 1% Classic Review

Reviewed By:
Sep 23, 2024
6 minute read

Editorial and Partnership Disclosure

Capital One Spark 1% Classic is an excellent business credit card for business owners with a fair credit score (ranging from 580 to 669). This unsecured small business credit card can help you build and strengthen your credit when used responsibly. Additionally, it allows you to earn fixed-rate rewards on all business-related purchases while paying $0 annual fees.

If you wish to compare one card over another, select a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to Compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.

Intro APRN/A
Regular APR29.99% variable
Annual Fee$0
Credit NeededFair

How We Evaluate Fair Credit Business Credit Cards

When grading business credit cards like the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business, we first consider the annual fee and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs). We also take into account the card’s ongoing rewards, introductory APR, and any other fees.

Grading CriteriaCard ScoreHighest Possible Score
Annual Fee2525
Ongoing APR1325
Ongoing Rewards810
Introductory Rewards010
Other Fees1010
Introductory APR010
Additional Features1010
Total Score66100

Who the Capital One Spark 1% Classic Is Best For

  • Those with credit scores between 580 and 669: You only need a fair credit score to qualify, and it can help build both personal and business credit with responsible use.
  • Those who want unlimited rewards: You’ll earn unlimited cash back with no expiry if your account is open and in good standing.
  • Those who don’t want additional fees: It doesn’t charge annual, foreign transaction, or balance transfer fees.

Check out our recommended alternatives below if this card is not a suitable option.

Capital One Spark 1% Classic Rewards

  • 1% cash back on every purchase for your business, with no minimum to redeem
  • 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel

Rewards Calculator

Find out how much you can earn from the Capital One Spark 1% Classic based on your estimated monthly expenses. Our rewards calculator will compute your potential rewards—just enter your expected monthly spending, and our calculator will do the rest.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Calculator

Your potential annual reward earnings are:

Estimated Annual Rewards Earned:$0

How to Redeem Rewards

Cashback is available upon request as a statement credit or through a check sent by mail. You can also set up an automatic redemption preference, including setting a time each calendar year or when a specific threshold has been met. Note that rewards don’t expire so long as your account is active.

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Capital One Spark 1% Classic Features

Service & Protection

  • $0 fraud liability: Get an emergency replacement and cash advance if your card is lost or stolen. Plus, you’ll not be held liable for any unauthorized transactions made with your card.
  • Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty and protection on eligible items purchased with your business credit card.
  • Fraud and security alerts: Receive email or text message alerts if Capital One detects a potential mistake or suspicious charge on your account.
  • Roadside assistance: Access services to help you during auto-related emergencies, including jump-starting, tire changing, and towing.

Account Management

  • Transaction details: Stay on top of your purchases by finding merchant information, such as an address, logo, phone number, and map, when made available.
  • Recurring transactions: Check out Capital One’s list of merchants that charge your business card monthly, such as for subscriptions and bills.
  • Free employee cards: Create multiple employee cards, track employee spending, and customize spending limits while earning rewards from their purchases.

Other Benefits

  • Automatic payments: Set up AutoPay in the Capital One mobile app so that you won’t have to worry about missed or late payments.
  • Flexible payments: Choose your monthly due date so you can control when to pay your balance based on your company’s cash flow trends.
  • Year-end summaries: Access an itemized report of your spending to simplify both budgeting and tax time.
  • Purchase records: Download all purchase records quickly and securely in multiple formats, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®.
  • Capital One Travel: Access the best prices on thousands of trip options, even after booking, with the flexibility to pay with your rewards, card, or both.

Capital One Spark 1% Classic Fees

APR

  • Introductory: None
  • Ongoing for purchases and balance transfers: 29.99% variable—changes with the prime rate
  • Cash advance: 30.74% variable—changes with the prime rate
  • Penalty: 34.65% variable—changes with the prime rate and will be applied to your account if you make a late payment

Fees

  • Annual: $0
  • Balance transfer: $0
  • Cash advance: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Foreign transaction: $0
  • Late payment: Up to $39

Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle.

How To Make Payments

  • Capital One Mobile: Use the app to ensure you pay your balances in full each month.
  • Phone: Call (800) 227-4825 or the number on the back of your credit card.
  • Online: Log into your Capital One account and select “Make a payment.”
  • In-person: Visit the nearest Capital One branch.
  • Mail: Send a check by United States mail using this address:

Capital One
Attn: Payment Processing
PO Box 71083
Charlotte, NC 28772-1083

  • Overnight: When sending overnight, use this address:

Capital One
Attn: Payment Processing
6125 Lakeview Rd., Ste. 800
Charlotte, NC 28269

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Capital One Spark 1% Classic Alternatives

Emburse Spend Card

Emburse Card Sample

Emburse Spend Card

BEST FOR: Earning Unlimited Cash Back Rewards

Spending LimitLoad Limit
  • You can set spending restrictions depending on your business needs.
  • Deposits to Emburse Spend are limited to a maximum of $100,000
Costs
  • No additional costs for using Emburse Spend and issuing virtual and physical cards
Read our review of the Emburse Spend Card

The Emburse Spend Card is a business prepaid card, which means a personal credit check is not part of the approval process. This is great if you have enough cash to use as working capital for your businesses as you need to load funds on the card before using it. It lets you earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, regardless of spending categories. Plus, it charges $0 annual or monthly fees.

Ramp Card

Intro APRNone
Regular APRNone
Annual Fee$0
Credit NeededPoor to Excellent

This corporate charge card provides up to 20x more credit limits than ordinary business credit cards, ideal for companies with significant credit needs. It offers up to 1.5% cash back on purchases and over $350,000 in partner rewards. Also, it charges $0 annual and foreign transaction fees. However, you have to pay your balance in full each month and should have at least $25,000 in cash in any US business bank account linked to your application to qualify.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the Capital One Spark 1% Classic for Business report to any credit bureaus?

Yes, the card reports your card activities to both personal and business credit bureaus.

How do I apply for the Capital One Spark 1% Classic for Business?

You can apply for the Capital One Spark 1% Classic for Business in three ways:

  • Online: This is considered the fastest and most straightforward way to apply. Note that decisions are instantly made when applying online. Note that you will need to fill in a form with relevant information.
  • Phone: You can call (800) 227-4825 and follow the prompts that will lead you to a representative
  • In-person: Go to the nearest Capital One branch to apply for the Capital One Spark 1% Classic for Business.

Bottom Line

Capital One Spark 1% Classic is best for business owners who need a card that will help them build both personal and business credit without making a security deposit. It lets you earn unlimited cash back that won’t expire for the life of the account. However, it comes with a high APR, so it’s best to pay off your balance each month to avoid costly interest charges.

Fit Small Business has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fit Small Business and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Benilyn Formoso

Benilyn Formoso-Suralta is a staff writer at Fit Small Business focusing on finance, accounting, and Small Business Loans. She brings with her 12 years of experience as a banking officer with the Bank of the Philippine Islands with expertise in consumer banking, real estate sales, and foreign exchanges.

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