2 Capital One cashback cards: Business 2%, Personal 1.5% [Card names change]
Nov 21, 2013, 2:36 am
#91
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
While an EMV chip would be quite helpful when traveling, almost all the countries still accept swipe and sign. I travel all over the world and only at automated train stations, gas stations and a few other places do I have difficulty with swipe & sign.
Dec 9, 2013, 10:05 am
#92
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2
Should I get the CapitalOne Spark Cash?
I have a small business, and I've had the Southwest Rapid Rewards card for years and have accumulated a ton of points on it. However, I don't travel very much so I'm looking for a card that will be more immediately useful to me. (I have the Penfed Platinum Cash for 5% off gas and the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred for 6% off groceries.)
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
Thanks.
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
Thanks.
Dec 9, 2013, 12:31 pm
#93
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 202
I have a small business, and I've had the Southwest Rapid Rewards card for years and have accumulated a ton of points on it. However, I don't travel very much so I'm looking for a card that will be more immediately useful to me. (I have the Penfed Platinum Cash for 5% off gas and the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred for 6% off groceries.)
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
Thanks.
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
Thanks.
The only reason I would apply for this card is if I was no longer interested in applying for other cards with sign-up bonuses. Since I am still able to sign up for cards and get sign up bonuses, it outweighs the 2% benefit of Spark.
Once I am doine in applying for other cards, I will consider the Spark...especially if I no longet need the travel cost offset. If I am still traveling, I would probably want the 2.2% Barclays Arrival instead.
Dec 10, 2013, 8:15 am
#96
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 146
...
However, I don't travel very much so I'm looking for a card that will be more immediately useful to me. (I have the Penfed Platinum Cash for 5% off gas and the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred for 6% off groceries.)
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
However, I don't travel very much so I'm looking for a card that will be more immediately useful to me. (I have the Penfed Platinum Cash for 5% off gas and the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred for 6% off groceries.)
The Spark Cash gives 2% cash back on everything with no limits. It has an annual fee but I will easily make that much back with the cash back.
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more people mentioning this card so I'm wondering if I'm missing something?
As you noted, you can pretty easily make up the $59 annual fee (relative to a no-annual-fee 1.5% card). Once you spend $11,800 in a year, you've broken even on the annual fee relative to a no-annual-fee 1.5% card; for $11,801+ in spending it's all a net win.
I think you don't hear about it much here because FT is travel oriented.
Dec 10, 2013, 5:22 pm
#97
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: AA Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 64
This card is amazing, especially if you have a small business. You may have to pay it down a few times per month, as the opening credit limit is usually tight, but you'll find that it's totally worth the trouble. Points are great, but 2% cash back (to your name, btw, as opposed to an account credit) is really incredible.
Dec 15, 2013, 7:03 am
#98
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
I have it for my business and it works well. I use the no annual fee 1.5% one. Getting the cash back is simple (you just apply it to your card as a credit whenever you want).
Also, it builds your business credit rating. This is a huge benefit not offered on all business cards (e.g., Amex does not report). Just supply your company’s tax ID number on the application and they'll start reporting to D&B. Will help as your business grows and you potentially need to access more credit or take out a loan.
Also, it builds your business credit rating. This is a huge benefit not offered on all business cards (e.g., Amex does not report). Just supply your company’s tax ID number on the application and they'll start reporting to D&B. Will help as your business grows and you potentially need to access more credit or take out a loan.
Dec 15, 2013, 8:19 am
#99
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: Traveling Around from Country to country
Posts: 62
I have this card, and love it.
I sell most of my miles to a broker, and found that this card gives me the best return on my money without the hassle of needing to sell your miles.
All 5X categories go to Chase. The rest is charged here.
The only problem I have, they gave me 5K credit and don't want to increase it before 6 months. I spoke to numerous people, and they are all stubborn to death. With Chase I have 100K credit, and with them 5K, but I pay off daily, and spend again.
I sell most of my miles to a broker, and found that this card gives me the best return on my money without the hassle of needing to sell your miles.
All 5X categories go to Chase. The rest is charged here.
The only problem I have, they gave me 5K credit and don't want to increase it before 6 months. I spoke to numerous people, and they are all stubborn to death. With Chase I have 100K credit, and with them 5K, but I pay off daily, and spend again.
Dec 15, 2013, 9:51 am
#100
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Cashback offers mediocre value compared to the best miles or points cards because there is no arbitrage. It costs the issuers $0.02 to give you $0.02 in cash, but it costs them less to give you $0.02 in travel value. When you look at the full lifecycle of the card: application bonus, basic spending, category bonuses, threshold bonuses, and retention offers cashback is seldom competitive except for basic spending.
May 27, 2014, 11:32 pm
#102
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 25
Capital One Spark 2% cb
I've searched around but haven't seen much about this card.
I'm looking to transition from points to cash at the moment, and am trying to decide which card to use for my everyday (unbonused) spend.
I already have the 2% Fidelity Amex, but I hate their website/app interface and have heard bad things about FIA/BofA's customer service -- not sure I want to use them in case I might need purchase/return protection, etc. on an item. I usually don't, but you never know.
The CapOne Spark is a business card with:
It's also a Visa, which I see as a big plus for times when I can't use an Amex.
Does anyone have experience with this card, or a better 2% cb card?
(not interested in the JCB/Marukai card, I can't be bothered to mail in an application or payments in 2014!
)
I'm looking to transition from points to cash at the moment, and am trying to decide which card to use for my everyday (unbonused) spend.
I already have the 2% Fidelity Amex, but I hate their website/app interface and have heard bad things about FIA/BofA's customer service -- not sure I want to use them in case I might need purchase/return protection, etc. on an item. I usually don't, but you never know.
The CapOne Spark is a business card with:
- unlimited 2% cb (pro)
- no FTF (pro)
- $59/year AF (con)
- no chip (con)
It's also a Visa, which I see as a big plus for times when I can't use an Amex.
Does anyone have experience with this card, or a better 2% cb card?
(not interested in the JCB/Marukai card, I can't be bothered to mail in an application or payments in 2014!
)
May 28, 2014, 12:40 am
#104
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 25
I have several 5% cb cards, but they don't always apply to the category I need. For example, if I'm shopping at a clothing store that isn't a department store, there isn't a card I'm aware of with a higher than 1% rate.
That's why I want a 2% cb card -- for everyday, unbonused spend.
That's why I want a 2% cb card -- for everyday, unbonused spend.