Key facts
Built for small business owners that want to earn rewards for travel without keeping track of all sorts of bonus categories, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card delivers with 2X on all purchases and no bonus categories to keep track of, although you can also earn 5X miles on hotels and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.
Annual Fee:
$95 $0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $95Min. Credit Score for Approval:
670-739 * GoodOngoing APR:
25.74% VariableBalance transfer fees
$0 at the Transfer APRForeign Transaction Fee:
0%There are so many transfer bonuses to Avios, many 30% – 40%, that I don’t think you need to speculatively transfer on this one unless Capital One Miles are your only transferable point and you regularly use Avios anyway (meaning you know how you’ll use them in advance).
Otherwise, my usual thoughts apply:
Despite past shortfall domestic sweet spots evaporating, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 9,500 miles (up from 6,000 but still cheaper than BA). And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline including Finnair.
Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business – hello, sweet spot!
BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. Beware their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.
Reward multipliers
You’ll earn 2X miles (with no cap) on all of your everyday business purchases, plus 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Otherwise, your travel purchase will earn 2X miles.
Estimated Rewards Value: 8%
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Otherwise, your travel purchase will earn 2X miles.
Estimated Rewards Value: 8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 3.2%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Price Protection
Price Protection helps you save money on many products when you purchase them entirely with your Spark Miles card.
If you buy an eligible item with your card in the USA and then see it available for less in another retail store’s printed Advertisement within sixty (60) days of the Date of Purchase, you can file a claim for the difference, up to $500 per eligible item for price drops within 60 days of purchase (max $2,500 in annual claims).
Earns Transferable Points
This is a great business card for frequent travelers because the rewards earned are intended to use to book yourself free travel. You’ll earn Capital One Miles which have a redemption value of at least one cent per point on travel purchases or the ability to transfer miles to Capital One’s wide range of airline and hotel partners.
Some of my favorite ways to leverage Capital One transfer partners include redemption options to fly in Business and First class around the world.
With Capital One’s transfer partner Turkish Miles&Smiles, you’ll find the best deal in business class from the US to Europe at just 45,000 miles. That’s just one example. If you find a coach award flight on United.com for anywhere in North America that is marked as “Saver,” you can book that same award on Turkish for just 7,500 miles. There is no shortage of other great transfer partners. You can use Air Canada’s stellar Aeroplan program to book an award with a stopover en route to your final destination for just 5,000 additional miles. Aeroplan is also unquestionably the best program to book a lap infant, with a cost of just $25 Canadian where most other programs charge 10% of the adult fare!
These are Capital One’s current transfer partners:
Capital One Miles | ||
---|---|---|
Transfer Ratio | Expected Transfer Time | |
Air Canada (Aeroplan) | 1:1 | Instant |
Air France / KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
Avianca Lifemiles | 1:1 | Instant |
Aeromexico | 1:1 | Instant |
British Airways Avios | 1:1 | TBD |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Nearly instant |
Choice Hotels | 1:1 | 1 day |
Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
Etihad Guest | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
Finnair | 1:1 | Instant |
Qantas | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
TAP Air Portugal | 1:1 | TBD |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | TBD |
Wyndham Rewards Hotel Program | 1:1 | Instant |
EVA | 2:1.5 | 1-2 days |
Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Hotel Program | 2:1 | 1-2 days |
Virgin Red | 1:1 | TBD |
You can read more about Capital One Miles in our Guide to Capital One Miles.
Primary Car Rental CDW Waiver
You’d never know it, as Capital One doesn’t advertise it, but this Visa Signature Business credit card comes with Primary CDW as long as you are renting for business purposes. Of course, limitations on countries, vehicles, and coverage maximums apply. You can see the benefits guide here.
Airport Lounge Access
While this business card doesn’t come with Priority Pass, you’ll get two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounge locations or 100+ lounges through the Capital One Partner Lounge Network.
After those complimentary visits, cardholders have access to a special entry rate of $45. Currently, the only Capital One branded lounges open are at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Washington Dulles (IAD) but additional locations are coming soon.
Note: Effective January 1, 2025, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will no longer receive complimentary lounge access. You will have 2 complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges to use by December 31, 2024. Venture and Spark Miles cardholders can access Capital One Lounges at a special rate of $45 for themselves and their guests.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Reimbursement
You can get a statement credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® when you charge the fee to your Spark Miles card.
Extended Warranty
The extended warranty policy offered on the Capital One Spark Miles business card doubles the time period of the original manufacturer’s written U.S. warranty up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less. The maximum coverage amount per item is $10,000 and $50,000 per year.
Purchase Protection
Should an item you purchase on your card be stolen or damaged within 90 days after purchase, you may be eligible to have it replaced, repaired or reimbursed. This benefit is also capped at $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per card holder.
No Fees for Authorized Users
Order free employee cards. You can get your employees their own Capital One Spark Miles cards plus track and limit their spend with ease – all at no additional fee.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
You won’t be charged a foreign transaction fee when you make purchases in a foreign currency with the Capital One Spark Miles card (or any Capital One card).
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- Two free airport lounge visits per year (until Dec 31, 2024)
- Earns 2X Capital One Miles on all purchases
- Global Entry ($120) / TSA PreCheck ($85) Reimbursement every four years
- $95 annual fee after the first year
- Can only use the miles towards travel. There is no way to convert miles to cash
- Lacks unlimited airport lounge visits (capped at 2 free visits per year)
Our review
The Spark Miles is a uniquely simple small business credit card.
With 2X Capital One Miles earned per dollar spent on all eligible purchases (plus the option to earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel), you can really rack up the miles fast.
And while Capital One Miles used to simply be worth a penny each towards travel, that’s changed entirely since Capital One made their miles transferable.
Many small business owners don’t worry about bonus categories, but they do want as many rewards points for their business spend as possible. And they want, on top of that simplicity, to know they are getting a top end rate of return on spend.
The Spark Miles accomplishes both goals. 2X miles on everything with no limit is among the best options among all small business credit cards. While the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express also earns 2X points on purchases, it is capped at $50,000 in spend per year whereas the Capital One Spark Miles has no limit.
And then for redeeming your points, you can simply spend them for travel at a penny a point, or you can use the airline and hotel transfer partners.
As for card benefits, the card comes with Primary Car Rental CDW coverage, as long as you are renting for business purposes and also carries extended warranty and purchase protection benefits, provided by Visa Business Signature. Some of these benefits don’t even display on the Capital One marketing pages, but they are on the guide to benefits.
Overall, it’s a super simple card that is an excellent choice for small business owners that love to travel on their time off.
Need to Know: Capital One generally will make an credit inquiry with all three credit bureaus. Your card and revolving balance will also be reported to your personal credit file. That likely doesn’t bother you unless you’re maxing out the card, but if it does, you can browse other credit cards that do not report the credit line to your personal credit profile.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card have an annual fee?
$0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $95
Does the Capital One Spark Miles card get you into airport lounges?
You’ll get two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounge locations or 100+ lounges through the Capital One Partner Lounge Network. After those complimentary visits, cardholders have access to a special entry rate of $45.
Is it hard to get the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card?
You’ll probably need at least a 670 FICO or better to have the best chances of approval.
Is it worth getting the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card?
It’s a nice and easy 2X miles per dollar on all purchases, so on that alone, it’s going to be worth it to a lot of small business owners.
How do I earn points with the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card?
You’ll earn 2X miles (with no cap) on all of your business purchases, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Is there a better credit card than the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card?
It all depends on what you are looking for! If you aren’t sure, try toggling the features and benefits that you want in our interactive Card Explorer.
Does the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, you will never pay a foreign transaction fee with a Capital One credit card
Does the Capital One Spark Miles card have car rental coverage?
You’d never know it, as Capital One doesn’t advertise it, but this Visa Signature Business credit card comes with Primary CDW as long as you are renting for business purposes. Of course, limitations on countries, vehicles, and coverage maximums apply.
Does the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card offer extended warranty?
The extended warranty policy offered on the Capital One Spark Miles card doubles the time period of the original manufacturer’s written U.S. warranty up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less. The maximum coverage amount per item is $10,000 and $50,000 per year.
Does the Capital One Spark Miles card offer purchase protection?
Should an item you purchase on your card be stolen or damaged within 90 days after purchase, you may be eligible to have it replaced, repaired or reimbursed. This benefit is also capped at $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per card holder.
Does the Capital One Spark Miles card offer trip protections?
Only the primary rental car coverage (CDW) and Lost Luggage Insurance.
What credit score do I need to get the Capital One Spark Miles card?
A 670-700 FICO or better will probably be optimal, though approval is never guaranteed.
What can I do with the points earned for spending on the Capital One Spark Miles card?
You’ll earn Capital One Miles which have a redemption value of at least one cent per point on travel purchases or the ability to transfer miles to Capital One’s wide range of partner airlines and partner hotel programs.
Does the Spark Miles Card have Price Protection?
Price Protection helps you save money on many products when you purchase them entirely with your eligible Visa card. If you buy an eligible item with your card in the USA and then see it available for less in another retail store’s printed Advertisement within sixty (60) days of the Date of Purchase, you can file a claim for the difference.
Does the Capital One Spark Miles card have Cell Phone Protection?
This is a benefit that the Spark Miles card does not have. You can view other credit cards with cell phone protection.