Capital One Spark Miles for Business review: Excellent first-year value
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business value can be excellent for small businesses who want flexible rewards — especially the first year. This card is best for business owners who don't want to deal with rewards bonus categories, as well as those who want the option to redeem their miles for travel.
The card comes with an annual fee of $0 intro for first year; $95 after that, so you have a full 12 months to try out this card's benefits and rewards before you commit.
Is the Capital One Spark Miles for Business worth it?
First Year Savings
$1,220 ?
We estimate that the average cardholder can earn around $1,220 in rewards in the card's first year. While the sign-up bonus is worth $500 in travel alone (and potentially more with partners), the $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck adds even more value. Capital One airport lounge visits also come with a retail value of $65 each, so that added perk is worth $130 per year if you can use it.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business comes with a lucrative new cardmember offer: Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
While the bonus is worth $500 in travel statement credits, you can also transfer your Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners for even more value.
This bonus is about average among business credit cards for travel. Also be aware that some other business cards with similar annual fees offer much higher bonuses, albeit with a much higher spending requirement. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card lets you Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
What it's worth: $500 in travel statement credits through Capital One
Who's eligible to earn this offer?: According to Capital One, this sign-up bonus may not be available for existing or previous Spark cardholders. Capital One also has an unpublished rule that says you can only get approved for one new card bonus every six months.
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Earn 2X miles on every purchase
One major benefit of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business is the fact you earn 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere, although you do earn a higher rate of 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One.
Capital One miles are worth $0.01 each when redeemed for travel statement credits. This means the Capital One Spark Miles for Business earns the equivalent of 2% back for travel on everything you buy.
As you compare business credit cards, you'll notice that some cards offer a higher rewards rate in bonus categories along with a lower flat rate on regular purchases. Also note that some rewards points are worth more than Capital One miles on average.
Average rewards earned per $1 spent
$0.038
American Express® Business Gold Card
$0.033
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
$0.023
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
$0.022
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
$0.02
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
$0.02
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
$0.02
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
$0.015
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
We estimated an earning rate for the average consumer on multiple rewards credit cards based on U.S. Bureau of Labor data. From there, we multiplied that figure by the value of each card’s points or miles.
What are Capital One Spark Miles for Business miles worth?
While cardholders earn 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere spent with the card, the value of these miles can vary depending on how you redeem them. However, each mile is worth $0.01 each when you redeem them to cover travel purchases charged to your card.
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Redeem miles easily
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is known for the flexibility of the rewards you earn. After all, you can charge any travel purchase to your card then redeem your miles to cover all or part of the purchase at a rate of $0.01 per point. You can also use miles to book travel through Capital One, which can include flights, hotels and rental cars.
Transferring your miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners often brings greater rewards value, although this depends on how exactly you redeem your rewards in the end.
Non-travel redemption options include purchases made through Amazon.com or PayPal, as well as gift cards and cash back. The chart below shows how much value you get based on how you redeem your miles, and you can easily see that travel redemptions give you more bang for your buck.
Redemption option | Mile value |
|---|---|
| Cover select travel purchases (including vacation rentals) | $0.01 |
| Redeem with PayPal | $0.008 |
| Shop with Amazon | $0.008 |
| Get gift cards | $0.008-$0.01 |
| Redeem for cash back | $0.005 |
| Transfer your rewards to travel loyalty programs | Depends on the transfer partner and ratio |
| Book a trip through Capital One travel | $0.01 |
| Transfer your rewards to another Capital One account | $0.01 |
Savvy traveler tip: The Capital One Spark Miles for Business only gives you $0.005 per mile redeemed for cash back. If you want a simple card that earns the same amount on every purchase, you may be better off with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, which gives you unlimited 2% Cash Back on every purchase; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
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Capital One transfer partners
As mentioned, Capital One lets you transfer miles to a variety of hotel and loyalty programs. You can often stretch your miles further this way, especially since you can now transfer miles at a 1:1 ratio to most partners.
Capital One's list of partners isn't as robust as Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Amex Membership Rewards. (Capital One lacks a partnership with a major U.S. airline, for one thing.) However, this option can still be very fruitful if you're able to use your rewards to book a high-value redemption, such as a night in a pricey resort or international flights in a premium cabin. Also, some of these airlines belong to airline alliances (such as the Star Alliance), allowing you to book flights outside their flight networks via their partner airlines.
Here is a list of current Capital One transfer partners and transfer ratios:
- Accor Live Limitless (2:1)
- Aeromexico Club Premier (1:1)
- Aeroplan® (1:1)
- Asia Miles (1:1)
- Avianca Lifemiles (1:1)
- British Airways Executive Club (1:1)
- Choice Privileges (1:1)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1)
- Etihad Airways Guest (1:1)
- Eva Air Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5)
- Finnair Plus (1:1)
- Flying Blue (1:1)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1)
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go (1:1)
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (1:1)
- Virgin Red (1:1)
What credit score do you need for the Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
Applicants need 660 - 850 credit to qualify for this business credit card
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Other Capital One Spark Miles for Business benefits
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers several cardholder perks that increase its value.
Cardholders with the Capital One Spark Miles for Business get two free lounge visits to Capital One airport lounges each year. Unfortunately, only one Capital One lounge at the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is open for now. Two more lounges are slated to open at the Denver International Airport (DEN) and at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C. in 2022.
Cardholders also qualify for a fee credit of up to $100 toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. This benefit is renewable every four years.
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees when you use it for purchases abroad. That makes this card a good option for international travel.
Finally, note that you get free employee cards for anyone who works for you. You can also set customized spending limits for each authorized user card.
How does the Capital One Spark Miles for Business compare to other cards?
While the Capital One Spark Miles for Business should be on your list if you want to earn flexible rewards for each dollar your business spends, there are other business cards to consider as well — including options from Capital One.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business vs. Capital One Spark Cash Plus
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Verdict: A better option for cash back, as well as no preset spending limit
For business owners who want a straightforward cash back card, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the better choice. While the card charges a higher $150 annual fee that is not waived the first year, it rewards you with 2% Cash Back on every purchase; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel — a much better return than the Capital One Spark Miles' rate on cash back.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is unique because it's a charge card, meaning you have to pay your balance in full each month. However, it also comes with no preset spending limit and adapts to your needs based on spending behavior, payment history and credit profile.
Cardholders can also earn an annual rewards bonus of $200 when they spend $200,000 on their card within a year or more.
How does it compare?
- Annual fee: $150 (Worse)
- Welcome bonus: Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening (Better)
- Rewards earned/$1 spent: $0.02 (Same)
- Other benefits: Free employee cards, no preset spending limit, no foreign transaction fees (Worse)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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On Capital One's Secure Website
Verdict: A good option for consumers who want a higher bonus with similar rewards and perks
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is worth considering if you want a rewards credit card for personal expenses instead of a business credit card. This card offers the same rewards structure of 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One.
You also get similar perks, including a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership, two free Capital One airport lounge visits, and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also earn flexible rewards that can be used for travel statement credits, transfers to airline and hotel partners, and more.
How does it compare?
- Annual fee: $95 (Worse)
- Welcome bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.(Better)
- Rewards earned/$1 spent: $0.02 (Same)
- Other benefits: Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, two free visits to Capital One airport lounge visits per year, travel accident insurance, extended warranties, and more (Better)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business vs. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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On Chase's Secure Website
Verdict: A better option for businesses who can meet a big spending requirement upfront
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a superior travel rewards card that offers a better sign-up bonus and more valuable rewards and travel benefits than the Capital One Spark Miles card. The card's unique rewards structure favors businesses that spend a lot on travel and certain business purchases.
Cardholders Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases—with no limit to the amount you can earn.
The card is part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which is known for its value, flexibility and superior transfer partners.
How does it compare?
- Annual fee: $95 (Worse)
- Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (Better)
- Rewards earned/$1 spent: $0.023 (Better)
- Other benefits: Free employee cards, primary rental car coverage when you rent a car for business purposes, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cell phone protection, roadside dispatch, extended warranties, purchase protection and more (Better)
Should you apply for the Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
If you're looking for a business credit card that lets you earn flexible rewards with no annual fee the first year, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business could be for you. The same can be said if you want a few basic travel perks like Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership or airport lounge visits, or if you want to earn miles that transfer to airline and hotel partners.
Even so, it never hurts to check out other business credit cards so you know for sure. Make sure to compare all your options based on their rewards, perks, and fees before you decide.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to American Express® Business Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply to American Express credit card offers. See americanexpress.com for more information.