Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Spark Cash Select: Which Is Better In 2026?

Capital One Spark Cash Select Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Spark Cash Select (See Rates & Fees).

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• Its simple, flat-rate rewards structure is ideal for business owners who don’t want to track complicated spending categories.
• It offers valuable business-friendly perks, including free employee cards, purchase protections, and benefits for business travel.

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Pros

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• A simple rewards structure that earns a flat rate of cash back on every business purchase.
• Business-centric features like employee cards with adjustable spending limits and tools for expense tracking.
• A suite of travel and purchase protections, including coverage for rental cars and extended warranties on eligible items.

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Cons

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• The flat cash-back rate is less competitive than some other business cards, and there are no bonus categories for higher earnings on specific expenses.
• It lacks the premium travel perks and benefits often found on higher-tier business credit cards.
• Applicants generally need a good to excellent credit score, which could be a barrier for some business owners.

Capital One Spark Cash Select vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Capital One Spark Cash Select, depends entirely on your business's specific needs and spending habits.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is a versatile tool designed for business owners, especially those with significant and variable business expenses who value flexible rewards.
• Capital One Spark Cash Select: This card is best for business owners who prefer a no-frills approach with simple, flat-rate rewards and don't want to track complex spending categories.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Rewards are earned as points that offer a high degree of flexibility. Cardholders can redeem them for travel by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or use them for other options like gift cards and statement credits.

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Capital One Spark Cash Select: This card provides straightforward cash back rewards on all business spending. You can redeem your cash back at any time with no minimums, typically as a statement credit or a check.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a financial companion tool like Kudos to compare thousands of credit cards and simulate potential earnings.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your earnings with a new card using your actual spending data to see personalized projections before you apply.
• Unlock rewards and guarantees: Earn incentives like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal.
• Analyze approval odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for a new card.
• Discover personalized matches: Find new credit cards that are personally matched to your spending habits to maximize your rewards.
• Monitor your finances: Keep track of your transactions, overall spending, and credit score from a single dashboard.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for business owners with significant annual spending, generally $50,000 or more. It’s an ideal choice for growing companies with variable expenses, as its rewards structure automatically adapts to your top spending areas each billing cycle. Businesses that can maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points on their top two spending categories—on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually—will extract the most value from this card. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Spark Cash Select?

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The Capital One Spark Cash Select is tailored for small business owners and entrepreneurs who value simplicity and straightforward rewards. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer a consistent, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without the need to track rotating bonus categories. Furthermore, business owners who frequently make international purchases or simply want to avoid an annual fee will find this card particularly beneficial.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the pros and cons in our Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Spark Cash Select comparison and found both wanting, you're not out of options. Several other business credit cards offer compelling rewards and benefits that might be a better fit for your specific spending habits.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical requirements for a premium card.
• Plan your spending to comfortably meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the rewards structure to confirm it aligns with your business's top spending categories.

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Application Strategy

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• Confirm your business status as these cards are designed for business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Assess your reward preference to decide between automatic bonus categories or straightforward flat-rate cash back.
• Evaluate card features like spending flexibility and employee card options to align with your operational needs.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for a business with unpredictable spending categories?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is likely better for businesses with fluctuating expenses, as it automatically rewards your top two spending categories each month (Terms apply). The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit offers a flat cash-back rate on all purchases, which is simpler but less rewarding for specific high-spend areas.

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Can I get employee cards with either the Amex Business Gold or the Capital One Spark Cash Select?

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Yes, both cards offer the ability to add employee cards to your account. This allows you to consolidate business spending and earn rewards on employee purchases, though fees and features for employee cards can vary.

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What's the main difference in the rewards structure?

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The Amex Business Gold offers bonus points in specific, automatically-adjusting categories, making it ideal for targeted spending (Terms apply). In contrast, the Capital One Spark Cash Select provides a straightforward, flat-rate cash back on every purchase, prioritizing simplicity.

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