Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideal for businesses with variable expenses, as it automatically earns 4X points in your top two spending categories each billing cycle (Terms Apply).
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is designed for business owners who prefer a simple rewards structure, offering unlimited 2X miles on every purchase for travel.
American Express® Business Gold Card Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "111", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Versatile Business Tool" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the American Express® Business Gold Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It automatically adapts to your spending, rewarding your business where it spends the most each month. Terms Apply.
- The card provides spending flexibility that can grow with your business. Terms Apply.
- You’ll get valuable travel and purchase protections for business expenses. Terms Apply.
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.
Pros
- A valuable Welcome Offer is available for new Card Members. Terms Apply.
- Flexible reward redemption options, including point transfers to airline and hotel partners. Terms Apply.
- Access to The Hotel Collection for benefits like room upgrades. Terms Apply.
Cons
- A significant annual fee that requires high spending in bonus categories to offset.
- Airport lounge access is more limited compared to some competitors.
- Adding employee cards comes with an additional cost.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3055", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Travelers", "headerHint": "Zero Transaction Fees"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Spark Miles for Business (See Rates & Fees).
- It offers a straightforward rewards structure that applies to every business purchase without complicated categories.
- You have a lot of flexibility when it comes to redeeming your miles for travel.
- The card is an excellent choice for business abroad, as it has no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Simple, flat-rate rewards structure that earns miles on every business purchase.
- Flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer miles to various airline and hotel partners.
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- An annual fee applies after the first year.
- Lacks some premium benefits, like airport lounge access or extensive bonus categories.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business vs American Express® Business Gold Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Amex Business Gold or Capital One Spark Miles for Business, depends entirely on your company's spending habits and priorities. Each card excels in a different area, catering to distinct types of business owners.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is a versatile business tool best suited for companies with significant and varied business expenses across multiple categories.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: This card is designed for business travelers who want to earn travel rewards on their business spending without worrying about complex categories.
Redemption
American Express® Business Gold Card: This card provides flexible redemption through the Membership Rewards program. Points can be used for a wide range of options, including booking travel, covering card charges, or transferring to airline and hotel partners.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business: The miles earned with this card are designed for straightforward travel redemption. You can use your miles to cover past travel purchases or transfer them to various travel loyalty programs.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
- Test drive credit cards: You can test drive credit cards by simulating your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before committing to an application.
- Personalized recommendations: Get matched with the best card for you based on an analysis of your spending history.
- Detailed approval odds: Understand your likelihood of getting approved for various cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?
The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for established business owners with significant annual spending who need flexibility in their rewards structure. It's particularly valuable for companies with variable monthly expenses, as the card automatically awards 4X points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually (Terms Apply). Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for entrepreneurs who can leverage the bonus categories to easily offset the $375 annual fee and take advantage of its premium travel protections.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Spark Miles for Business?
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card is tailored for business owners who prioritize straightforward travel rewards over complex earning structures. It's an excellent fit for businesses with substantial annual spending, as it offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase without the need to track rotating bonus categories. This card is particularly valuable for frequent travelers who can take advantage of flexible redemption options, the ability to transfer miles to travel partners, and no foreign transaction fees.
Alternatives to Consider
If you've gone through the Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Spark Miles for Business comparison and concluded that neither is the right choice for your company, let's look at a few other options. The perfect card for your business might be one you haven't considered yet.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]
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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most business cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer.
- Know your rewards: Understand how you'll use the points or miles, whether through travel partners or statement credits.
Application Strategy
- Use the right channel: Apply through a trusted source to find the best available Welcome Offer.
- Be patient: Don't accept a lower offer if you believe a better one is available.
- Match your spending: Choose a card that rewards your business's spending style, whether it's automated bonus categories or simple flat-rate rewards.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for a business with unpredictable spending categories?
The American Express® Business Gold Card is often better for fluctuating expenses, as it automatically awards bonus points on the top two eligible categories where you spend the most each month, up to a spending cap (Terms Apply). The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a straightforward flat rewards rate on all purchases, which might be preferable for simplicity.
How do the travel redemption options compare?
Both programs offer flexible travel redemptions through transfer partners, though the specific airline and hotel partners differ. American Express Membership Rewards points can offer excellent value when transferred (Terms Apply), while Capital One miles provide a simple option to redeem for any travel purchase at a consistent rate.
Can I get employee cards with either option?
Yes, both cards allow you to add employee cards to your account to streamline business spending and earn rewards faster. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers employee cards at no additional annual fee, while fees may apply for American Express® Business Gold employee cards (Terms Apply).
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.













.webp)
.webp)



.webp)



