Capital One Spark Miles Review: Rewards That Are Easy to Earn, Redeem
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on most everything, with no bonus categories, no limits on how much you can earn and no blackout dates or restrictions on when or how you travel. You can also transfer miles to travel partners.
Paul Soucy leads the credit cards and travel rewards content teams at NerdWallet. He was an editor with the Des Moines Register, USA Today and Meredith/Better Homes and Gardens for more than 20 years, then built a successful freelance writing and editing practice. He edited the USA Today Weekly International Edition and received the highest award from ACES: The Society for Editing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration.
Personal Finance Expert | budgeting, banking, family finances, money savings strategies, ways to maximize your credit card rewards, how to boost your credit score
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She has been featured on the "<a href="https://www.today.com/video/how-to-save-money-on-your-vacation-this-summer-1257358915885?v=a">Today</a>" show and in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/financial-independence-30s.html?">The New York Times</a>. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and “Generation Earn.” Previously, she was a money editor at U.S. News & World Report and AARP. Kimberly's work also appears at <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/?trk=US_bio">NerdWallet Canada</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:kpalmer@nerdwallet.com">kpalmer@nerdwallet.com</a>. Twitter: <a href="//twitter.com/KimberlyPalmer">@KimberlyPalmer</a>.
Paul Soucy leads the credit cards and travel rewards content teams at NerdWallet. He was an editor with the Des Moines Register, USA Today and Meredith/Better Homes and Gardens for more than 20 years, then built a successful freelance writing and editing practice. He edited the USA Today Weekly International Edition and received the highest award from ACES: The Society for Editing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration.
Personal Finance Expert | budgeting, banking, family finances, money savings strategies, ways to maximize your credit card rewards, how to boost your credit score
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She has been featured on the "<a href="https://www.today.com/video/how-to-save-money-on-your-vacation-this-summer-1257358915885?v=a">Today</a>" show and in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/financial-independence-30s.html?">The New York Times</a>. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and “Generation Earn.” Previously, she was a money editor at U.S. News & World Report and AARP. Kimberly's work also appears at <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/?trk=US_bio">NerdWallet Canada</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:kpalmer@nerdwallet.com">kpalmer@nerdwallet.com</a>. Twitter: <a href="//twitter.com/KimberlyPalmer">@KimberlyPalmer</a>.
Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain. Email: <a href="mailto:kyoung@nerdwallet.com">kyoung@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain. Email: <a href="mailto:kyoung@nerdwallet.com">kyoung@nerdwallet.com</a>.
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So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
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appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Paul Soucy leads the credit cards and travel rewards content teams at NerdWallet. He was an editor with the Des Moines Register, USA Today and Meredith/Better Homes and Gardens for more than 20 years, then built a successful freelance writing and editing practice. He edited the USA Today Weekly International Edition and received the highest award from ACES: The Society for Editing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration.
Personal Finance Expert | budgeting, banking, family finances, money savings strategies, ways to maximize your credit card rewards, how to boost your credit score
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She has been featured on the "<a href="https://www.today.com/video/how-to-save-money-on-your-vacation-this-summer-1257358915885?v=a">Today</a>" show and in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/financial-independence-30s.html?">The New York Times</a>. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and “Generation Earn.” Previously, she was a money editor at U.S. News & World Report and AARP. Kimberly's work also appears at <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/?trk=US_bio">NerdWallet Canada</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:kpalmer@nerdwallet.com">kpalmer@nerdwallet.com</a>. Twitter: <a href="//twitter.com/KimberlyPalmer">@KimberlyPalmer</a>.
Paul Soucy leads the credit cards and travel rewards content teams at NerdWallet. He was an editor with the Des Moines Register, USA Today and Meredith/Better Homes and Gardens for more than 20 years, then built a successful freelance writing and editing practice. He edited the USA Today Weekly International Edition and received the highest award from ACES: The Society for Editing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration.
Personal Finance Expert | budgeting, banking, family finances, money savings strategies, ways to maximize your credit card rewards, how to boost your credit score
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She has been featured on the "<a href="https://www.today.com/video/how-to-save-money-on-your-vacation-this-summer-1257358915885?v=a">Today</a>" show and in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/financial-independence-30s.html?">The New York Times</a>. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and “Generation Earn.” Previously, she was a money editor at U.S. News & World Report and AARP. Kimberly's work also appears at <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/?trk=US_bio">NerdWallet Canada</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:kpalmer@nerdwallet.com">kpalmer@nerdwallet.com</a>. Twitter: <a href="//twitter.com/KimberlyPalmer">@KimberlyPalmer</a>.
Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain. Email: <a href="mailto:kyoung@nerdwallet.com">kyoung@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain. Email: <a href="mailto:kyoung@nerdwallet.com">kyoung@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Overview
SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information about Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
The bottom line:
A great option for small-business operators who prize simplicity in a travel rewards program, or whose spending doesn't fit neatly into the bonus categories of other travel cards.
Credit card details
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
24.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Rewards rate
2x-5x
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account. Unlimited 5X per dollar miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site.
Miles
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Intro offer
50,000
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.
Miles
Pros & Cons
Pros
High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®
Annual fee waived for first year
Cons
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
Does not include lounge access or automatic elite status
More details from Capital One
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
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
For business owners who travel frequently, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a simple but valuable choice.
You'll earn double miles on your purchases, and that rate increases for hotel and rental car bookings made via Capital One's travel portal. Those miles are easy to redeem, too. You can use them toward various kinds of travel purchases — flights, hotels, vacation packages and more — or you can opt to transfer your miles to more than a dozen travel partners.
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
Sign-up bonus: 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.
Ongoing rewards: Earn double miles on every purchase.
Redemption options:
Miles are worth a penny apiece when you:
Use Capital One's travel portal to book travel.
Book travel with your card elsewhere, then use your miles to get reimbursed via a statement credit against your travel purchase. Unlike the points or miles in programs tied to a specific airline or hotel chain, these rewards allow you to book how you want, with no blackout dates or exclusions. You can redeem miles for all or just part of a travel expense within 90 days of it posting to your account.
You can also transfer miles to one of more than a dozen airline and hotel programs, but not always at a 1:1 ratio. (More on that below.)
🤓
Nerdy Tip
You can redeem miles for gift cards, cash back and more, but usually at a lower value per point, and we don't recommend it. If you expect you'll want cash back, consider a cash-back credit card.
APR: The ongoing APR is 24.99% Variable APR.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits:
Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit.
Employees receive free cards and earn rewards from their purchases; you can customize spending limits on employee cards and see all transactions.
Year-end itemized report of spending and easy to download purchase record.
Why you might want the Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Simple, generous rewards
Unlike some other travel rewards cards with a tiered points system, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card is much less complex. Its flat rewards rate — double miles on everything — makes it ideal for a business whose expenses are all over the map or don't easily fit into the typical bonus categories for business credit cards. And if you use the card for working capital, it can really supercharge your earning. Put $10,000 a month in inventory purchases on the card, for example, and you're looking at 240,000 miles at the end of the year — good for $2,400 worth of travel.
Flexibility in redemption
You can redeem miles for any airline, hotel or vacation package purchase at a rate of a penny per mile, and there are no blackout dates or restrictions on when or how you travel. But you can also transfer miles to one of more than a dozen travel partners. This can be especially useful for international travelers, although it's important to note that the transfer ratio is not always 1:1.
Full list of Capital One transfer partners
Airlines
Aeromexico (1:1 ratio).
Air Canada (1:1 ratio).
Air France-KLM (1:1 ratio).
Avianca (1:1 ratio).
British Airways (1:1 ratio).
Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio).
Emirates (1:1 ratio).
Etihad (1:1 ratio).
EVA (2:1.5 ratio).
Finnair (1:1 ratio).
Japan Airlines (2:1.5 ratio).
JetBlue (5:3 ratio).
Qantas (1:1 ratio).
Qatar Airways (1:1 ratio).
Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio).
TAP Air Portugal (1:1 ratio).
Turkish Airlines (1:1 ratio).
Virgin Red (1:1 ratio).
Hotels
Accor (2:1 ratio).
Choice Privileges Hotels (1:1 ratio).
I Prefer Hotel Rewards (1:2 ratio).
Wyndham Rewards (1:1 ratio).
A HEFTY sign-up bonus
The introductory offer can potentially take a chunk out of your travel budget if you spend enough to earn it. 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.
No foreign transaction fee
Many credit cards tack on a fee of 3% on every overseas purchase. If you frequently travel internationally with your business, or if you buy inventory while abroad, that could get expensive for both yourself and your employees. But like all Capital One cards, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business doesn't charge this fee.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business vs. other Spark cards
Capital One business credit cards are split into two categories: cash back and travel. Among the two travel cards, Spark Miles offers higher rewards than Spark Miles Select, along with an annual fee after one year. (See
At an effective rewards rate of 2% for most purchases, this card will pay for its annual fee with $4,750 a year in purchases. If you just can't stomach an annual fee, however, consider the no-fee "Select" version of this card — the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business. It earns only 1.5 miles back on all purchases, but its annual fee is $0. Looking for the break-even point between the two cards? If you spend above $19,000 a year, the rewards you'd earn at a 2X rate would top a 1.5X rate, even taking into account the annual fee on the Capital One Spark Miles for Business. (See
You could also consider The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. It earns 2% cash back on eligible purchases, but only up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year (1% back after that). The annual fee is $0. Terms apply ( see rates and fees ).
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card comes with an annual fee, but it has a tiered rewards structure: You earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Those business categories include shipping; internet, cable and telephone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. If your spending aligns with those categories, your points could add up quickly. Points are worth a penny each when redeemed for cash, and more more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
There's no 0% intro APR period
If you’re looking to finance business purchases upfront, you’ll also want to turn to another card. The aforementioned The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good pick. It offers an intro 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-27.24% Variable APR. Terms apply.
To learn more about business credit card options, see NerdWallet's list of the best credit cards to have.
Should you get the Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
If you’re a small-business owner looking for a flexible and straightforward travel rewards card, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business could be a great fit. But if you routinely spend more in specific categories, other cards can be more rewarding. And if you're more interested in cash back, this is not the right pick for you.
To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page.
