Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 18.49%-28.49% variable
• Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel, unlimited 1.5% cash back on every other purchase
• Bonus: $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
• Best For: Small businesses that want solid cash back with no annual fee and the flexibility to carry a balance when needed
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select is the no-annual-fee option in Capital One's business card lineup, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase plus 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Unlike the Spark 2% Cash Plus charge card, this is a traditional credit card that allows you to carry a balance, giving businesses more flexibility in cash flow management.

The $500 welcome bonus after $4,500 in spending within 3 months is generous for a no-annual-fee business card and achievable for most small businesses. The 1.5% flat rate, while lower than the Spark 2% Cash Plus, delivers strong value considering there is no annual fee eating into your returns. A business spending $50,000 annually earns $750 in cash back at no cost.

Free employee cards, detailed spending reports, and accounting software integration make this a practical tool for small business owners. The absence of an annual fee makes it a low-risk choice for new businesses or those with moderate spending. For businesses that occasionally need to carry a balance, the credit card structure provides flexibility that the charge card alternative cannot offer.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 18.49%-28.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 18.49%-28.49% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. This card does not offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases.

Benefits Overview

Cash Back Rewards

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
• No caps on cash back earned
• No annual fee

Business Management

• Free employee cards at no additional cost
• Year-end spending summaries for tax filing
• Integration with QuickBooks and other accounting tools
• Customizable spending alerts and controls

Payment Flexibility

• Ability to carry a balance (unlike the charge card alternative)
• No penalty APR for late payments
• Online and mobile payment management
• Autopay options to avoid missed payments

Rewards & Points

• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.5% unlimited cash back on every other purchase

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, check, or to cover recent purchases. There is no minimum redemption amount. Employee cards earn at the same rate and all rewards pool into the primary account.

Welcome Bonus

Earn a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. This is one of the better bonuses for a no-annual-fee business card, and the spending threshold is reachable for most small businesses through normal operating expenses.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Employee Card Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% for promotional, 4% for non-promotional
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Small businesses that want solid rewards with no annual fee
• New business owners who want a low-risk first business card
• Variable cash flow businesses that may need to carry a balance occasionally
• Multi-employee teams that need free additional cards with spending controls

Not Good For

• High-spending businesses that would earn more with the 2% Spark Cash Plus
• Miles collectors who want transferable travel rewards instead of cash back
• Category optimizers who want higher rates on specific business expense categories

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee for a business credit card
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
• $500 welcome bonus is generous for a no-fee business card
• Free employee cards with no additional charges
• No foreign transaction fees
• Flexibility to carry a balance unlike charge cards
• Year-end spending summaries simplify tax preparation
• QuickBooks integration for seamless accounting
• No penalty APR for late payments

Cons

• 1.5% rate is lower than the 2% Spark Cash Plus
• No introductory 0% APR on purchases
• Variable APR up to 28.49% on carried balances
• No travel lounge access
• No rotating or elevated spending categories beyond hotels
• No premium travel protections
• Cash back only, no option to earn transferable points or miles

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

First-year value on $53,000 spend: $1,400 including the $500 bonus and $900 in cash back. With no annual fee, every dollar is pure return for the business.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• Your business wants a no-annual-fee card with solid cash back
• You are a new business owner looking for a low-risk first card
• Your business may need to carry a balance occasionally
• You need free employee cards for your team
• You want simple flat-rate rewards without category complexity
• Your business has international expenses and needs no foreign transaction fees

You Should Skip It If...

• Your business spends heavily and would benefit from the 2% Spark Cash Plus
• You always pay in full and can handle a charge card structure
• You want transferable miles for airline partner redemptions
• You need introductory 0% APR for a major business purchase
• You want premium travel benefits like lounge access

Apply Now

Apply for Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.