The Capital One Spark Cash Select Card is a relatively new addition to Capital One’s lineup of small business credit cards. As the name suggests, it’s a “cash back” card that offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
In this post, everything you need to know about the Spark Cash Select will be covered. We will help you determine if the Spark Cash Select is the right small business credit card for your needs.
How Does Capital One Spark Card Work?
The Capital One Spark Cash Select Card provides unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on eligible card purchases. You earn 1.5% back on all spending without category restrictions.
Rewards show up as redeemable cash back in your account after the billing cycle ends. You can let it accumulate or redeem at any amount over $20 as a statement credit, bank deposit or check.
It works similarly to a personal cash back card but tailored for small business spending. And the unlimited rewards potential allows your earning to grow steadily with higher expenditures month-to-month.
Key Benefits of this Card
Here’s a high-level overview of some of the top benefits of the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card:
- Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back – You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no cap. Cash back can be redeemed at any amount.
- No Annual Fee – There is no annual fee to worry about, which isn’t always the case with cash back business cards.
- 0% Intro APR Offer – Take advantage of a 0% intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 9 months (then a 16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR).
- No Foreign Transaction Fees – Use the card abroad without worrying about extra fees.
- Free Employee Cards – Add employee cards and set individual spending limits for greater accountability.
Fees and Financing Rates
Here is the full rundown of the fees and financing rates associated with the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card:
- Annual Fee: None
- Intro APR: 0% for the first 9 months
- Regular APR: 16.24% – 26.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% ($10 minimum)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
As you can see, there really aren’t any nasty surprise fees beyond the standard balance transfer fee. And no foreign transaction fee is always a nice perk as well.
Eligibility Requirements
The Spark Cash Select Card is designed for small business owners and has fairly accessible eligibility requirements:
- Eligible business entities: Sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, non-profit organizations
- Business annual revenue: Less than $1 million
- Personal credit requirements: Good to Excellent credit
So most small businesses should qualify, unlike more premium cards that require high revenues or excellent credit only.
How to Get the Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card
Getting approved for the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card is relatively straightforward. Here is a step-by-step overview:
- Check Eligibility Requirements
First, double check that your business meets the Spark Cash eligibility:
- Less than $1 million in annual revenue
- Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or non-profit
- Good to excellent personal credit
- Prepare Key Financial Information
Have this information handy when you apply:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your personal and business income/revenue
- Business founding date
- Business address
- Apply Online
The easiest application method is online via Capital One’s website. Complete the online application form with your information.
- Visit: https://www.capitalone.com
- Receive a Decision
In many cases you will receive an instant decision during the online flow. Other times it make take up to 2 weeks.
- Check your email inbox for a decision notice.
And that’s the basic process! It should be straightforward for most small businesses to get approved for the Spark Cash Card.
How It Compares to Other Capital One Business Cards
It always helps to understand how a card compares and contrasts with other options from the same issuer. So let’s discuss how the Spark Cash Select stacks up against Capital One’s two other main small business cards:
Spark® Classic:
- 1% Cash Back (vs 1.5% on Select Card)
- $95 Annual Fee (vs $0 on Select Card)
Spark® Miles:
- 2X Miles Per $1 Spent
- Annual Fee of $95, Waived First Year
As you can see, the Spark Cash Select Card sits nicely between the Spark Classic and Spark Miles cards. It offers better cash back than the Classic but without an annual fee. And more cash back than the Spark Miles that has an annual fee.
So the new Spark Cash Select occupies a nice middle ground option for Capital One.
Pros of the Spark Cash Select Card
Here’s a convenient rundown of some of the top advantages of the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back rate will add up
- No annual fee is always welcome
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Free employee cards and spending limits
- Generous welcome bonus once earned
- No foreign transaction fees
For many small business owners, earning unlimited 1.5% cash back with no annual fee is the perfect combination. And the introductory financing offer doesn’t hurt either.
Cons to Consider
There aren’t too many negatives with the Spark Cash Select Card, but here are a few cons or limitations to factor:
- Regular non-introductory APR is on the high side at over 16% variable
- Redemption starts at a $20 minimum
- 3% balance transfer fee
- Reports to business credit bureaus but not personal
The balance transfer fee and high regular APR are in line with most cards. And the $20 minimum redemption won’t matter too much when earning 1.5% cash back.
Is there a limit on Capital One Spark Cash Select?
No, there is no limit to the amount of cash back rewards you can earn with the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card. It offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. This sets it apart from cash back cards that cap rewards each year.
As long as you pay your bill on time, you can continue earning unlimited 1.5% cash back each billing cycle. Over time, this can really add up for high spending small businesses.
What Credit Score do You Need for Capital One Spark cash?
You can get approved for the Spark Cash Select Card with credit scores generally in the good to excellent range. Exact credit score requirements are not publicly released but you will likely need a FICO score over 670 based on other Capital One cards.
The best approval odds come with a credit score over 700. But even applicants closer to a “good” score of 690 may get approved with sufficient income for the business. Having no recent missed payments also helps offset a lower score.
Check your credit reports and scores first before applying to better understand your approval chances. When you manage your credit well, it makes other application easy.
Is Spark Cash Select a Visa or Mastercard?
The Capital One Spark Cash Select Card is a Mastercard credit card. Where accepted, you will see the Mastercard logo.
Mastercard and Visa credit cards have very wide acceptance worldwide. So merchants that take credit cards will likely accept a Spark Cash Select Card.
Do note that just a small number of merchants only take Visa or Mastercard, not both. But nearly all that accept credit cards will take either card network.
Conclusion
The Capital One Spark Cash Select Card makes earning unlimited cash back with no annual fee a reality for small business owners.
Between its 1.5% earning rate on all purchases and 0% introductory APR offer, it’s a flexible performer. Thus small businesses that spend significant amounts each month should benefit in particular.
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