Spark Cash
Capital One and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Capital One. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
How we calculate effective rate →
The Spark Cash from Capital One earns up to 2% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $95. New applicants may see: Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months..
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 2%
- Annual fee
- $95
Worth a look for dining spend if you need a business card and can use cash back the way you redeem today. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
What does the Spark Cash earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 2% effective value (2% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 59% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Spark Cash compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
Dining is the strongest category at 2% effective value (2% back). That dining rate ranks higher than about 59% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Spark Cash compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2% back | 2% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2% back | 2% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 2% back | 2% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 2% back | 2% |
| Other General everyday spend | 2% back | 2% |
Madeen values cash back at about 1 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
Who should get the Spark Cash?
The Spark Cash fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Spark Cash fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 59% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Mostly a flat base earn card without strong category bonuses.
Worth a look for dining spend if you need a business card and can use cash back the way you redeem today.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 2% effective (2% back).
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
- Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
Cons
- $95 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
- Business card — rewards and liability rules differ from consumer cards.
What is the Spark Cash welcome bonus?
In Madeen's catalog snapshot, the Spark Cash welcome offer is Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change — confirm on the issuer application page before applying.
- Offer
- $1,000
- Terms (catalog snapshot)
- Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months. First-year annual fee waived.
- Minimum spend
- $10,000
- Window
- 3Months
Does the Spark Cash have an annual fee?
The Spark Cash has an annual fee of $95 and a foreign transaction fee of None. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $95
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
What benefits come with the Spark Cash?
The Spark Cash includes Car Rental Insurance, Extended Warranty, Global emergency services in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
Extended Warranty
$10,000/yrGet free additional warranty and protection on eligible items that you purchase with your card.
Microsoft Advertising
$300/yrGrow your business and attract more customers with $300 in advertising credit after spending only $150 with Microsoft Advertising. Offer expires on 7/31/2026.
Mastercard Transit Benefit
$200/yrSave when you tap and go with your eligible Mastercard and receive a $2.50 statement credit when you spend $10 or more each month at participating transit systems.
Melio
$100/yrPaying your business bills has never been simpler — or more rewarding. Get up to $100 in fee credits when you pay with Melio. Offer expires on 7/31/2027.
Roadside Assistance
$50/yrOur business cards offer services to help you during auto-related emergencies, such as jump-starting, tire changing and towing.
Car Rental Insurance
$10/yrReimbursement for covered physical damage and/or theft of a rental vehicle with primary protection: 1-800-MASTERCARD.
Global emergency services
$10/yrCall 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
HealthLock
$10/yrEnroll in HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
Instacart Business
$10/yrFuel your business with same-day delivery of snacks, supplies and more. Enjoy $0 delivery fees* with three free months of Instacart+ and $20 off your second order each month. Offer expires on 1/31/2027.
Intuit® QuickBooks® Online and QuickBooks Online Payroll
$10/yrSave 30% on QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Solopreneur or QuickBooks Online Payroll for 12 months.
Intuit® TurboTax®
$10/yrSave 20% on the TurboTax solution that best fits your small business needs and can help get your best possible tax outcome.
Luminary
$10/yrSave 30% on an annual or monthly Luminary membership to access Luminary’s global professional education and networking platform. Offer expires on 11/30/2027.
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the Spark Cash
What credit score is needed for a Sparks card?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Excellent for the Spark Cash. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification.
Does the Spark Cash have an annual fee?
The Spark Cash carries an annual fee of $95 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the Spark Cash?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Spark Cash at about 2% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the Spark Cash charge foreign transaction fees?
The Spark Cash does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees.
What is the Spark Cash welcome bonus?
The Spark Cash welcome offer in our snapshot: Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.
Is the Spark Cash annual fee worth it?
Whether the $95 annual fee pays off depends on how much you spend in dining and whether you use the card's benefits. Compare effective rates across the cards you already carry in Madeen.
How does the Spark Cash compare to similar cards?
Compare the Spark Cash against Pottery Barn Key Rewards Visa (4% on Dining, $0 fee); SavorOne Dining Rewards (4% on Dining, $95 fee); The Key Rewards Visa (4% on Dining, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Spark Cash This card | Dining | 2% | $95 |
Capital One | Dining | 4% | $0 |
Capital One | Dining | 4% | $95 |
Capital One | Dining | 4% | $0 |
Capital One | Dining | 4% | $0 |
Side-by-side comparisons
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
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Capital One and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Capital One. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
Madeen compares cards you add to your wallet using published catalog rules — no bank login required. Issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice. Apply links are temporarily hidden on madeen.app. Affiliate disclosure