Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Review 2019

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is best for businesses with less than $2,000 a month in card expenses that want to earn miles to redeem for travel. This card pays 1.5 miles on all spending and offers interest-free financing for nine months on purchases. Ongoing APR starts at 14.74%.

The best fixed-rate travel rewards business credit cards offer up to 2x miles on all purchases. This Capital One business card rewards 1.5 miles, which falls short of some of the best fixed-rate business credit cards. However, it does offer an introductory 0% APR period on purchases for nine months. We rate this card 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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How We Evaluated the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business provides average introductory and ongoing rewards compared with other fixed-rate travel credit cards. In our review, we also took into account the card’s additional benefits and annual fee. This Capital One business card has no annual fee, and we believe it’s one of the best business credit cards for startups.

We considered the following criteria in our evaluation:

• Ongoing rewards: The rewards you’ll earn when you use the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business. This Capital One business card offers unlimited 1.5 miles on all purchases. Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel (SM) using a Spark Miles Select card
• Introductory rewards: The introductory offer you can earn by reaching a minimum spending requirement. The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers a one time bonus of 20,000 points – equal to $200 in travel – after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.
• Additional benefits: Whether the card has additional card benefits and perks. The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers extended warranty protection, purchase protection, rental car insurance, and emergency assistance services.
• Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card each year. Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business charges no annual fee.
• Introductory APR: Whether the card has an introductory 0% APR period. Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business has an introductory 0% APR period on purchases for nine months.
• Ongoing APR: How much it will cost to finance purchases on your card. Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business has an ongoing APR between 14.74% and 22.74%.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is not the best card option if you’re looking to earn top travel rewards. If you want to maximize your travel rewards, consider a card like Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM. That card offers three points for every dollar spent on travel purchases up to $150,000 annually. However, this Chase business credit card carries a $95 annual fee.

How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards

When grading fixed-rate travel rewards business credit cards like the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select 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® Miles Select for Business using the following methodology:

Based on our 5-star rating system, where 20 points equals 1 star, the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business would need to improve either its introductory or ongoing rewards to earn 4 stars. In cases where cards receive perfect scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating.

Other small business credit cards offer stronger rewards than this Capital One business card. For example, the American Express® Business Gold card offers 4x points in the two categories where you spend the most every month. This is a great card for businesses looking to maximize travel rewards.

Who the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Is Right For

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is best for business owners who want to redeem rewards for travel and typically spend less than $19,000 annually. If you have more than $19,000 in annual credit card expenses, you would benefit more from the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business. That card pays 2x miles on all spending but charges a $95 annual fee, which is waived over the first year.

Alternatives to Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

Compared to the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business, other small business credit cards offer more substantial introductory rewards, top-tier additional travel perks, and strong ongoing travel rewards. However, many of the best small business credit cards carry an annual fee.

Three alternatives to the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business are:

Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card

Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM is one of the best business credit cards for new businesses. It’s designed for businesses with travel expenses that want to avoid high annual fees. This card offers a substantial introductory bonus and strong ongoing rewards on travel purchases. You can learn more about this card’s value and additional benefits in our Chase Ink Preferred^SM review.

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card is best for business owners who want to maximize their rewards on travel and other spending categories. You’ll earn top rewards on the two categories where you spend the most each month. This American Express business credit card offers premium travel perks, such as baggage and car rental insurance. You can learn more about these features in our American Express® Business Gold Card review.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards Mastercard® credit card is the best no annual fee credit card for business travelers. This card offers top rewards on travel purchases, including car, hotel, and airline expenses. If you’re looking for a card with no annual fee, our Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® review explains this card’s value in detail.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Costs

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business has no annual fee and offers 0% APR on purchases for nine months. Once the promotional period ends, it has an ongoing APR between 14.74% and 22.74%. The low end of its ongoing APR falls just below the 17% average of other 0% APR business credit cards.

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

• Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for nine months
• Ongoing APR: 14.74% and 22.74%, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: None
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Cash advance fee: $10 or 3%, whichever is greater (cash advance APR is 24.74%)
• Late payment fee: Up to $39
• Returned payment fee: None
• Penalty APR: 31.15%, which is applied if you make a late payment

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business card is not for you if you’re looking to finance a balance transfer. This card only offers an introductory 0% APR period on purchases. If you need to transfer a balance, consider a balance transfer business credit card. Those cards offer up to 12 months of 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers.

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

To avoid interest on the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business, you’re required to pay off your entire balance within 25 days from the close of each billing cycle. Some business credit cards require you to pay off your balance quicker. For example, Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM requires you to pay off your balance within 20 days from the close of each billing cycle to avoid interest.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers unlimited 1.5 miles on all spending. Additionally, you’ll receive a one time introductory bonus of 20,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. If you’d like to earn cash-back rewards instead with a similar card, Capital One also offers the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business.

If you spend more than $19,000 annually, you’ll benefit more by using the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business. Here’s a look at the rewards and annual fee breakdown:

• Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business: $19,000 annually x 1.5% cash back = $285 in rewards
• Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business: $19,000 annually x 2% cash back – $95 annual fee = $285 in rewards

Introductory Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers the following introductory rewards:

• 20,000 bonus miles – equal to $200 in travel – after spending $3,000 within the first three months.

This welcome offer of 20,000 bonus miles is worth $200. If you want to earn a large introductory bonus, you’ll need to consider a card that carries an annual fee. For example, the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business card offers 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within three months of account opening. This card has a $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first 12 months.

Ongoing Rewards

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers the following ongoing rewards:

• 1.5 miles on all purchases.
• Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel (SM) using a Spark Miles Select card

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business ongoing rewards provide a low return when compared to other travel business credit cards. The American Express® Business Gold card pays 4x points on the two select categories where your business spends the most every month. However, that card charges $295 more annually to own the card.

Rewards Restrictions

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

• Interest charges
• Cash advances
• Traveler’s checks
• Purchases or reloading of prepaid credit cards
• Purchases of gift cards
• Person-to-person payments
• Any cash equivalents

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers unlimited rewards that never expire, as long as your account is open. If you or the issuer close your account, you will lose any rewards you have not redeemed. Reward restriction items here are common when compared to other small business credit cards.

How You Can Redeem Your Rewards

There are six primary ways to redeem your rewards:

• Redeem for travel: Book flights, car rentals, or hotels. You’ll need to redeem 100 points for every dollar of travel. For example, if your travel costs $300, you would need 30,000 miles to cover the cost of that travel purchase.
• Redeem for past travel purchases: You can redeem your rewards for past travel purchases made using your Capital One business card. You must redeem your miles within 90 days from the date the travel purchase shows on your account.
• Transfer to a select loyalty program: You can transfer your Capital One miles to 15 select loyalty programs, including Air Canada, JetBlue, AeroMexico, Emirates Skywards, Qantas, and Qatar Airways. Your miles may be worth more in free travel when you transfer to one of these partners.
• Statement credit or check: You can also redeem your points as cash back in the form of a statement credit or a check by mail. Redemption value is one cent per point.
• 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 can receive your miles at a specific time every year or when you reach a set threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500).

When compared to the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, this card offers several more redemption options. With the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, you won’t have the opportunity to redeem your points for travel, past travel purchases, or transfer them to a select loyalty partner.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Additional Features

According to Capital One’s website, the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers several additional features, such as insurance and fraud protection. Upon approval, you’ll receive Visa® Signature Business Benefits or Visa® Business Benefits. We spoke with Capital One, which wouldn’t disclose how it determines the benefits package you’ll receive.

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

The benefits included in Visa® Business Benefits are:

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

The benefits 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

These protections are common when compared to other business credit card providers, such as American Express. If you or your employees travel often, these travel perks can be worth thousands of dollars every year.

Purchase Security

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One will protect your purchased items from theft or damage for the first 90 days after purchase. As stated in the Capital One benefits guide, coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year. There are other business credit cards that offer longer coverage windows.

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

Capital One’s purchase security protects purchased items against theft or damage within 90 days from purchase. It will replace, repair, or reimburse you up to $10,000 per incident. There are other business credit cards that offer more coverage. The American Express® Business Gold card, for instance, offers 120 days of purchase security protection and caps coverage at $10,000 per item.

What the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select 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 the property
• Medical equipment
• Perishables or consumables

Capital One’s excluded items are common across business credit cards that provides similar protection.

Extended Warranty Protection

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One offers extended warranty protection on warranties of up to three years. It will double the length of the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to one additional year. The Capital One benefits guide discloses that coverage is limited to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year. Other small business credit cards offer more substantial coverage.

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

Extended warranty protection on the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business card provides coverage on warranties of three years or less. There are other travel business credit cards that offer more coverage. For example, the American Express Business Platinum Card® covers original manufacturer’s warranties of five years or less. That card will provide up to an additional two years of coverage.

What the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select 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 U.S. repair warranty, as supplied by the original manufacturer or other eligible warranty
• Items purchased for resale
• Computer software
• Medical equipment
• Real estate and items that are intended to become part of real estate
• Rented or leased items, or items purchased on an installment plan
• Used or pre-owned items

These extended warranty exclusions are generally the same on all business credit cards that offer similar protection.

Travel Accident Insurance

According to Capital One’s website, travel accident insurance is one of the few insurances only available through Visa® Signature Business Benefits. If you receive Visa® Signature Business Benefits, you’ll have coverage up to $250,000 for you, your spouse, and unmarried dependent children.

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

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business 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. According to the Capital One benefits guide, this coverage is limited to $250,000. Some other business credit cards don’t offer similar insurance, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM.

What the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select 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 excluded items are typically the same across all small business credit cards.

Lost Baggage Reimbursement

According to Capital One’s website, lost baggage reimbursement is only available through the Visa® Signature Business Benefits. If you receive Visa® Signature Business Benefits, it states it will protect checked or carry-on luggage from theft or misdirection by the common carrier. It also discloses that coverage is capped at $3,000 ($2,000 for New York residents).

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

According to the guide to benefits, lost baggage reimbursement covers the value of your checked luggage or carry-on baggage up to $3,000 per trip. However, New York residents will only receive coverage up to $2,000. Other travel business credit cards offer similar protections, such as the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®. However, Bank of America only discloses coverage details when you receive your card.

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

The following items are not covered by lost luggage reimbursement:

• Automobiles, automobile accessories 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 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 when compared across travel business credit cards that offer baggage insurance.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One offers rental car insurance that protects you against damage due to collision or theft. Additionally, this is primary coverage if you use the rental car for business purposes. This means you won’t need to use your personal insurance or accept what the car rental company offers. As stated in the benefits guide, Capital One may reimburse you up to the cash value of the car.

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

This auto rental collision damage waiver covers losses due to theft or collision for the first 31 consecutive days of a car rental agreement. To be eligible, the authorized driver must be driving the car. Other small business credit cards offer identical coverage. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM provides car rental coverage on rentals of 31 consecutive days or less.

What the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select 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

These excluded items are similar among this Capital One business card and other business credit cards that offer this coverage.

Travel & Emergency Assistance Services

As stated on Capital One’s website, you will have access to a 24-hour hotline that can connect you to travel and emergency assistance services. This service is also available to family members or business employees. You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services provided.

Services Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Provides

This card offers the following travel and emergency services:

• Record and send any urgent messages
• Transportation help home or to the nearest medical facility
• Ticket replacement
• Translation service
• Lost luggage assistance
• Pretrip assistance

This card offers the following medical and legal services:

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

Other small business credit cards offer a similar service, such as Chase Ink business credit cards. However, those cards don’t provide referrals for English-speaking attorneys and U.S. embassies.

Price Protection Plan

When you use your Capital One business card, you’ll receive Capital One’s price protection plan. As stated in the Capital One benefits guide, you can receive a price difference refund if you see a previously purchased item listed at a lower price in another store’s printed advertisement within 60 days. The benefits guide also disclose coverage limits of $500 per item and $2,500 per account.

Capital One’s price protection plan is an additional feature that you can only receive through Visa® Signature Business Benefits. Additionally, we’ve reviewed dozens of business credit cards and have not seen a similar feature among other issuers.

Adding Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Employee Cards

With a Capital One account, you can issue Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business employee cards at no additional cost. It’s common for issuers to offer free employee cards, even when the primary card charges an annual fee. Employee credit cards are an easy way to give your employees access to business funds.

If your business has $4 million or more in annual revenue and at least $250,000 in annual credit card expenses, consider a corporate credit card. A corporate credit card offers many of the same employee spending controls, and company owners have no personal liability. It’s important to note that these cards are charge cards and are due in full every month.

What the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Is Missing

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business does not offer the best introductory or ongoing rewards when compared to other business credit cards. If you want to earn stronger rewards, you may need pay an annual fee. For example, Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM offers up to three points on travel and 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within three months. That card has an annual fee of $95.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Reviews

Online reviews for the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business are generally positive. Users say they love how easy it is to use their points and that customer service is always quick to respond. Some users complain about receiving a low credit limit. According to Capital One’s application terms, credit limits can be as low as $2,000. If you need to access to a larger limit, consider a high limit business credit card.

How to Apply for the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

You can apply for the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business online. To get a business credit card, you’ll be asked to provide your basic business and personal information. Typically, you’ll receive a decision immediately. If you aren’t approved right away, Capital One will send details in an email or letter within seven to 10 business days. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your card within seven to 10 business days.

How to Log In to Your Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Account

You can log into your Capital One account online by entering your username and password. If you need additional assistance, you can call customer service through the phone number on the back of your credit card.

Other Capital One Business Cards

Capital One offers four other business credit cards, which are designed for businesses that want to earn unlimited fixed-rate rewards. It may be a good idea to consider another card if you spend more than $19,000 annually, want cash-back rewards, or want a larger introductory bonus.

The other Capital One business cards are:

• Capital One® Spark Cash® for Business: Best for businesses that want to earn fixed-rate cash-back rewards. Plus, it pays a higher return when compared to Capital One business cards that don’t charge an annual fee.
• Capital One® Spark Miles® for Business: Best for business owners who want to earn fixed-rate miles to redeem for travel. It also offers a higher return rate than the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business card.
• Capital One® Spark Cash® Select for Business: Best for companies that have low annual spending and want unlimited cash back. This card has no annual fee and pays a lower return rate compared to cards with annual fees.
• Capital One® Spark Classic for Business: Best for business owners who have fair credit and want cash-back rewards. This card has no annual fee, and we believe it’s one of the best fair credit business credit cards.

For rates and fees on the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.