The Capital One Venture X Business is our top overall pick for business owners who travel frequently, with premium travel perks and long-term value that can easily outweigh its annual fee. But if your business spending primarily goes toward everyday purchases, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is our top pick for cash back, offering strong earning potential for high-spending businesses.
If you’re a small business owner — whether you’re running a growing company or managing expenses as a freelancer — a Capital One business credit card can be a powerful tool to simplify your finances and earn valuable rewards. Capital One offers a lineup of cards that make it easy to separate business and personal spending while earning either cash back or travel miles on every purchase.
Some cards even skip the annual fee, while others pack in premium perks that can deliver serious value if you spend or travel often. Just keep in mind that a few cards in the lineup are charge cards, meaning the balance must be paid in full each month, while others allow you to carry a balance as needed.
| Scenario | LendingTree’s recommendation |
|---|---|
| I want to earn generous cash back on every purchase | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
| I want a card with no annual fee and cash back | Capital One Spark Cash Select |
| I want a low annual fee and cash back | Capital One Spark Cash |
| I want a card for building business credit | Capital One Spark Classic for Business |
| I want a business card for premium travel | Capital One Venture X Business |
| I want a business travel card with no annual fee | Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business |
| I want to earn travel rewards on a budget | Capital One Spark Miles for Business |
To help you compare your options, the table below outlines the main features of each Capital One business credit card, including annual fees, sign-up bonuses and rewards structures. Every card offers rewards — either cash back or miles — and most are designed for business owners with good to excellent credit, though one option is available for those with fair credit.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture X Business
|
Overall winner and premium travel
|
2X - 10X Miles
| 400,000 miles
Earn 400,000 bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 months
| $395 | |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
|
Overall winner for cash back
|
2% - 5% Cash Back
| $2,000 cash back
$2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year
| $150 | |
Capital One Spark Cash Select
|
No annual fee and a sign-up bonus
|
1.5% - 5% Cash Back
| $750 Cash Back
$750 Cash Back once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
| $0 | |
Capital One Spark Cash
|
4.7
Low annual fee and cash back
|
2% - 5% cash back
| $1,000 cash back
Earn $1,000 Cash Back once you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
| $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | |
Capital One Spark Classic for Business*
|
Cash back and building credit
|
1% - 5% cash back
| N/A | $0 | |
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business*
|
Travel with no annual fee
|
1.5X Miles
1.5 Miles per $1 on every purchase
| 50,000 miles
One-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $0 | |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
|
Travel rewards on a budget
|
2X - 5X Miles
| 50,000 miles
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.
| $0 intro for first year; $95 after that |
We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best Capital One business credit cards. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:
We calculate the rewards earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonus and annual bonuses (including annual free night certificates). We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum redemption thresholds, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits — such as purchase protections, travel protections, elite status benefits and travel credits — against benefits from other cards.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best rewards credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $2,000 cash back
Earn $2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus stands out as the top cash back card because it offers unlimited flat-rate rewards with no bonus categories or spending caps to keep track of. It’s ideal for companies that do a large volume of spending since there are no spending limits, and reaching certain milestones can activate perks like a refunded annual fee or an additional cash bonus. Just be mindful that this is a pay-in-full card, which means you cannot revolve a balance.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Cash Plus
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $750 Cash Back
Earn $750 Cash Back once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
For smaller businesses looking for a no annual fee cash back card with the flexibility to carry a balance from time to time, the Capital One Spark Cash Select is a good choice. While the flat rate of 1.5% isn’t stellar, earnings are simple and unlimited, and the sign-up bonus is generous. If you take the occasional business trip, consider booking hotels and rental cars via Capital One’s travel booking site for bonus cash back. Additional employee cards are free and the primary cardholder can set spending limits.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Cash Select
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: $1,000 cash back
Earn $1,000 Cash Back once you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Mid-size businesses that want a stronger cash back rate may find this low annual fee card worthwhile. It has a slightly higher cash bonus than the no-fee version of the card, and there are no limits to the amount of cash back you can earn. Additional benefits like an extended warranty and free expense management tools give the card additional value.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Cash
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: N/A
The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is one of the few cards accessible to small business owners who have fair credit, and there’s no annual fee. While there are no bells and whistles, with good account behavior, you can strengthen your business credit to move on to higher-earning products in the future. In the meantime, you can earn a moderate 1% cash back on all purchases.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Classic for Business
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: 400,000 miles
Earn 400,000 bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 months.
For those who do a good amount of business travel and spending, the Capital One Venture X Business offers a multitude of benefits that make paying the annual fee worth it. For example, if you earn the annual travel credit and anniversary bonus, the fee is already covered. Cardholders also enjoy VIP-like benefits like airport lounge access, and you can make your miles go further by transferring them to over 15 travel partner programs. To get the top rewards rate, though, you have to book travel through Capital One’s business travel portal.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Business
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus details: 50,000 miles
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Business travelers get to access flexible redemption and flat-rate earnings without an annual fee. This can be a good choice for smaller businesses that do not do a high volume of spending but would like to offset some of the expense for their occasional business trips. You can get some elevated earnings if you book hotels or rental cars via Capital One’s business travel portal, and get an automatic status upgrade with Hertz for being a card member.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus details: 50,000 miles
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a solid, mid-tier card that has an elevated earnings rate for a moderate fee, which is waived in the first year. Between that and earning the sign-up bonus, you get a lot of upfront value. Then, if you take advantage of ongoing perks like the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit and upgrades if you book with a Capital One Lifestyle Collection property, you can maximize the card even further.
→ Learn more about the Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Whether you manage large monthly expenses, travel regularly or are building credit, there’s a Capital One credit card that can match your business’s needs. Here’s a quick look at the type of business owner who could benefit most from each card:
Profile: You’re an established business owner who manages high monthly expenses and has a healthy cash flow that allows you to pay your balance in full each month. You may also have several employees who make purchases on behalf of the company, and you want to earn rewards from their spending as well.
→ Best card: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Profile: You’re a newer business owner who wants to keep things simple by earning flat-rate cash back on every purchase without an annual fee. You also want to earn a generous sign-up bonus that can help offset the cost of early business expenses.
→ Best card: Capital One Spark Cash Select
Profile: Business trips are fairly common in your line of work, so you’re looking for a card with flexible and transferable travel rewards to help offset the cost of transportation and lodging.
→ Best card: Capital One Venture X Business or Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Profile: You run a smaller business that doesn’t require a tremendous amount of spending, so a no-annual-fee card that offers moderate rewards for your everyday business purchases is sufficient for your needs.
→ Best card: Capital One Spark Cash Select or Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
Profile: Your credit isn’t perfect, so you’ll need a card that may have less stringent qualification requirements. And if you’re able to earn some cash back as you build your credit, even better.
→ Best card: Capital One Spark Classic for Business
Now that you’ve identified the Capital One cards that fit your business profile, it’s time to weigh the finer details. Consider these factors to make sure you choose the card that delivers the best value for your business.
If your expenses are substantial, a more premium card with a higher rewards rate and larger sign-up bonus may be worth it. But if your business spending is more modest, a no-annual-fee card with a slightly lower earning rate could offer better long-term value.
If the majority of your spending occurs across multiple everyday categories, a cash back card provides simple, flexible value that can be reinvested into your business. But if you or your employees travel regularly, a travel card that earns miles for every purchase can help offset the cost of flights, hotel stays and rental cars.
Annual fee cards often offer higher earning potential and more perks, making them worthwhile. But if your business spending is lighter or you occasionally carry a balance from month to month, a no-annual-fee card may make more financial sense.
While there are options available for good and fair credit, most Capital One business credit cards are intended for those with excellent credit. It’s important to know where you stand before applying, since your personal credit will play a key role in approval. You can check your credit score for free with LendingTree Spring.
All Capital One business cards offer employee cards at no additional cost. This helps make it easy to track company spending in one place while earning rewards on all team purchases.
Capital One, like most issuers, requires a personal guarantee for its business credit cards. This means that as part of the cardholder agreement, the applicant understands they are personally responsible if the account is not paid. In other words, if your business goes under or can’t meet its financial obligations, you’re still required to pay any remaining debt on the card.
This reduces the risk for the lender but also gives small business owners access to financing and the opportunity to build business credit before the company is fully established.
Limited vs. unlimited personal guarantees
In order to qualify for a Capital One business credit card, you’ll need to be able to meet minimum requirements involving both your personal credit history and your business status. Here’s what Capital One typically looks for when evaluating applications:
Once you’ve gathered the necessary information, you can usually apply for a Capital One business credit card online in less than 10 minutes. Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1. Gather your personal information
Step 2. Gather your business information
Step 3. Submit your application online
After you enter the necessary info and review it for accuracy, you can submit the application. In some cases, you may be asked to verify specific details before a decision is made.
Step 4. Get a decision
Once you submit your application, you may receive a response within minutes. But if Capital One needs to verify additional information, it could take a few business days to receive a final decision.
Step 5. Receive your card
Once approved, your physical card should arrive in the mail within seven to 14 business days.
While Capital One offers a strong lineup of business cards, it may be worth it to compare options from other major issuers to see which best suits your needs. Competing cards from American Express and Chase, for example, may offer higher bonus rewards in specific business categories — such as travel, shipping or advertising — or a richer suite of perks and statement credits.
Here are some popular business credit cards you may want to consider:
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card*
|
$95 | 1X - 3X points
| 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
| ||
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | 1% - 5% cash back
| 750 dollars
Earn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
|
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
|
$895 | 1X - 5X points
| 200,000 points
Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
| ||
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
|
No annual fee | 1% - 2% cash back
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%
| $250 statement credit
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
|
No. All Capital One business credit cards require a personal guarantee, meaning that the primary cardholder is personally responsible for any debt on the account.
Most Capital One business credit cards are recommended for those with good to excellent credit, which FICO considers to be a credit score ranging from 670 to 850. However, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is designed for business owners with fair credit, which FICO describes as a credit score ranging from 580 to 669.
No. Capital One business credit cards require applicants to apply with their personal information and Social Security number as well as their business information.
Yes, most Capital One business cards report account activity to personal credit bureaus. But for its two charge cards (Capital One Spark Cash Plus and Capital One Venture X Business), only late payments, missed payments or other defaults on your account may be reflected on your personal credit report.
Yes, it is possible to get multiple Capital One business credit cards. Just be aware that Capital One you may not be eligible for a card offer if you’ve applied for a Capital One credit card two or more times in the last 30 days, or if you have five or more cards open with Capital One.
No, Capital One does not have a secured business credit card. However, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is specifically designed for business owners who don’t have stellar credit. Applicants who have scores in the “fair” range and meet other eligibility criteria may be able to qualify.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, Ramp Visa Corporate Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.