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.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 5/8/2022
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Last Updated: 5/8/2022

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

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 - $500 Cash Bonus

    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

    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.
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

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.

1

Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders

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

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.
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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

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

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    No Annual Fee

    You pay no annual fee for using this card.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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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?

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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 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 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.

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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.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:
Quick Comparison of Capital One Spark Cash Select
creditCard

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
creditCard1

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.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.