MoneyGeek’s Take

Capital One Spark Cash Select Review

The Capital One Spark Cash Select credit card is a good option for small business owners looking for an unlimited cash back card without an annual fee or international transaction fees. Its offers and features are impressive, although a few are contingent on your credit score.

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Last Updated: 11/9/2021

The Capital One Spark Cash Select card is for people with excellent credit scores who prefer to earn flat-rate cash back on every purchase they make without paying anything for annual fees or foreign transactions. There are no bonus categories to memorize or spending limits to keep an eye out for.

If you spend $4,500 in your first three months as a cardholder, you will earn an impressive $500 bonus. Your credit score, however, determines your APR. MoneyGeek's Capital One Spark Cash Select review delves into the card's features, advantages, drawbacks and other characteristics to help you determine if it's right for you.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Credit Needed
Good–Excellent

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

Capital One Spark Cash Select at a Glance

Capital One's no-annual-fee Spark Cash Select credit card lets you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You can easily earn a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account setup. All of these benefits are available when conducting international transactions or shopping in foreign currency, thanks to the absence of a foreign transaction fee.

Capital One Spark Cash Select
An excellent unlimited cash back card for small business owners
- Good–ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Gas
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
No annual fee
Flat-rate rewards of 1.5% cash back
No foreign transaction fee
New cardholder offer
Free employee cards
Flexible payment options

Cons
No special reward categories
Purchase APR is dependent on creditworthiness
Penalty APR for late payments
High APR for cash advances and balance transfers
No annual membership fee
Spend $4,500 in the first three months and earn a $500 intro bonus
1.5% flat-rate cash back on all purchases
Linked employee cards earn the same cash back
Set up automatic payments
Zero fraud liability
Year-end itemized summaries for tax and budgeting purposes
Purchase records in multiple formats
Virtual Card Numbers for making safer payments online
Tracking and monitoring of all cards
Purchase alerts for all cards
Lock and unlock cards using mobile app or online banking
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

Capital One's Spark Cash Select card can be appealing for deal-seekers who want to be rewarded with simple cash back. But there are also a few drawbacks that may dissuade you from considering it.

Pros

Benefits
Description
No Annual Fee
You will not pay an annual fee for the card's lifetime. This gives it an edge over competing cards that charge an annual fee.
Flat-Rate Cash Back Rewards
The Spark Cash Select card gives you an unlimited opportunity to earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, without category restrictions or spending caps.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
With no surcharge on foreign transactions, you can make the most of your card while earning points on the go.
New Cardholder Offers
The Spark Cash Select card gives you an introductory $500 cash bonus if you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Flexible Payments
With this card, you can choose your monthly payment due date. You have complete control over when you choose to pay each month.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
No Special Reward Categories
You can't expect high rewards on specific categories with its flat-rate cash back system, as you can with some other business cards. Some competing cards offer up to 5% on purchases in bonus categories.
No Redemption Bonuses
This card’s flat rewards structure does not offer the opportunity to cash in bonus points for special redemptions, as some cards do.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2021?

MoneyGeek ranks credit cards on a monthly basis and revises the lists semi-annually. The Capital One Spark Cash Select card didn’t top any of our lists. However, if you are interested in other small business cards or rewards cards, you should explore our lists to evaluate what works best for you. With your excellent credit score, you might also be interested in one of our best credit cards for people with excellent credit.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

The Capital One Spark Cash Select credit card’s benefits are more than those listed above. Take a look at what else it has to offer.

Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders

The $500 intro cash bonus for spending $4,500 in the first three months is an easy win.

Guaranteed Cash Back Rate of 1.5%

With its 1.5% flat-rate cash back guarantee, you can get money back on all your purchases. This doesn’t include balance transfers or cash advances. This will be a welcome offer for those who don’t want to memorize revolving bonus cash back categories.

Flexible Redemption Program

On request, your cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check. The other option is to set an automatic redemption preference for a specific time of year or when the cash back amount reaches a specified level. You may also use the points to pay off your card purchases, get gift cards and more.

Employee Cards

You are free to add employee cards to the credit account at no extra cost. This helps you earn rewards faster.

Other Features Explained

Besides the Capital One Spark Cash Select card’s benefits, here are a few more features that we found interesting about the card.

Card Feature
Description
Account Managers
You can assign an authorized user to your account and have them manage your account on your behalf.
Automatic Payments
No more missing payments! You can set up auto-pay so you don't have to log in to your account every month for making payments.
Capital One Mobile App
Using the mobile app accessible for both iOS and Android users, you can lock your card or an employee's card if it has been lost or stolen, receive transaction alerts, make payments, manage your rewards, set spend limits for employee cards, view statements and purchase records and more.
Extended Warranty
The card offers an extended warranty on eligible items purchased using it.
Fraud Liability
You are entitled to get a replacement card as well as a cash advance, in case yours is stolen or lost.
Purchase Records
Your purchase records can be downloaded in a variety of formats, including in Excel and QuickBooks.
Roadside Assistance
You're eligible for roadside services, such as jump-starting, tire changing and towing in the event of an auto emergency.
Security Alerts
If Capital One detects potentially fraudulent transactions on your account, you will be warned via text, email and phone.
Virtual Card Numbers
This is an option to pay online without disclosing your credit card number to retailers.
Year-End Summaries
To make budgeting and tax time easier, you can receive an itemized breakdown of your purchases using the card.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

"You’ll be surprised at how fast rewards add up on a 1.5x bonus structure on all purchases. Automate payments and this system becomes an easy, low-cost way to earn some travel rewards." - Alene Laney, Credit Card Journalist

Understanding the Fine Print

Knowing how credit cards work is highly important while you learn the benefits, fees and interest rates of each card. The following table provides fees, interest rates, rewards rates and other information about Capital One Spark Cash Select.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
13.24%–19.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
1.5x
Rewards Rate on Gas
1.5x
Rewards Rate on Dining
1.5x
Rewards Rate on Entertainment
1.5x
Rewards Rate on Online Shopping
1.5x
Rewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1.5x
Rewards Rate on Air Travel
1.5x
Rewards Rate at Hotels
1.5x
Balance Transfer Fee
None
Balance Transfer APR
Unspecified
Late Fees
$39.00
Cash Advance Fee
3%
Cash Advance APR
26.99%
Foreign Transaction Fee
None

MoneyGeek's credit card glossary can help you learn more about common credit card terminology.

No Annual Fee
You pay no annual fee for using this card.
Regular APR
The Capital One Spark Cash Select card carries a reasonable APR on purchases and balance transfers. The APR will be 13.24%, 16.24% or 19.24% based on your creditworthiness. Cash advances have a higher interest rate of 26.99% regardless of your credit score.
Cash Back Reward Rate
Every purchase you make with this card gives you 1.5% cash back. This eliminates the need to memorize reward categories or spending caps.
Foreign Transaction Fee
With no surcharge on transactions made in a foreign currency or outside the United States, you can still earn cash back rewards with no penalties while shopping around the world.
Cash Advance Fee
In addition to the high interest rate on cash advances, expect to pay a fee of $10 or 3% of the transaction amount, whichever is greater.

FINDING YOUR CARD'S RATES AND FEES

To choose a card that is right for you, compare several cards’ annual fees, APRs, rewards, benefits and drawbacks. If you're comparing Capital One's Spark Cash Select card to another one you already possess, look at your most recent monthly statements or visit your credit card company's website or mobile app for more information. You may also check these facts in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's credit card agreement database.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Capital One Spark Cash Select?

Other Considerations for Capital One Spark Cash Select

When applying for a credit card, its benefits, terms and conditions and drawbacks need to be understood. If you're considering Capital One's Spark Cash Select card, you need to keep in mind the following factors. Check out how it works for you, whether this is your only card or an add-on card.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

As your first or only business credit card, Spark Cash Select may be beneficial if you make frequent foreign trips or use this card for big purchases. The $500 introductory cash back bonus after spending $4,500 in the first three months is an excellent offer. As your only card, the 1.5% flat rate for cash back may make more sense than a card with targeted rewards categories.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

Capital One Spark Cash Select may be advantageous as an additional card in your wallet due to its lack of annual fees and cash back limits. MoneyGeek recommends combining it with another rewards card that has bonus categories for improved rewards rates.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek employs a comprehensive rating methodology and review process to rank credit cards and card issuers. The method includes gathering credit card information, standardizing data points, factoring annual and introductory bonuses, analyzing potential cardholder profiles and determining the three-year value for maintaining the cards. The method also includes monthly re-ranking of cards and semi-annual card list updates.

How Capital One Spark Cash Select Compares to Other Cards

The Capital One Spark Cash Select card is a solid option for many small business owners. Shoppers who don't want to be a part of complex rewards programs may love this simple cash back card with no annual fees or spending caps.

Quick Comparison of Capital One Spark Cash Select

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Annual Fee: None
Regular APR: 13.24%, 16.24% or 19.24%
Rewards Rate: 1.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Best for: Small business owners in need of a simple cash back card with unlimited rewards

Chase Ink Business Cash

Annual Fee: None
Regular APR: 13.24%–19.24%
Rewards Rate: 1%–5%
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
Best for: Small business owners who spend a significant amount on office supplies and business services

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

If you have any further questions about the Capital One Spark Cash Select card after reading this review, please look at the questions we have answered below. Further information regarding the card can be found on the Capital One website.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

If you're still on the fence about getting the Capital One Spark Cash credit card, take a look at some of the other cards that offer significant benefits. If you don't want a cash back card, a small business travel or rewards card may be the best option for you.