Chase Ink Business vs. Capital One Spark: which card is better?

The right business credit card depends on your spending habits, the type of rewards you value, and how much control you want over how those rewards work. Chase Ink and Capital One Spark both target business owners, but they take very different approaches.

Chase focuses on category-based points that can stretch further when redeemed for travel or transferred to partners. Capital One keeps things simple with flat-rate earnings and easier redemptions. One may offer a higher upside by maximizing categories. The other may work better if you want fewer rules.

Comparing Chase Ink Business vs. Capital One Spark business credit cards

Chase Ink is part of the broader Chase for Business portfolio. Launched in 2009, the Ink line was designed to help small business owners earn flexible points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. These cards are best known for offering high-value redemption options, especially for travel.

Capital One Spark cards have been around since 2011, offering flat-rate rewards and simple redemption structures. Spark helped Capital One gain traction in the business credit card space by removing the complexity of rotating categories or redemption limitations. Here’s a quick comparison between the two cards:

Which business card aligns with your core business needs?

Your business needs should shape your card choice, whether you're scaling fast, managing steady spending, or optimizing travel. Chase Ink and Capital One Spark target different priorities and the better fit depends on how your business operates.

If your spending is category-heavy, the Chase Ink card offers more earning power. The Chase Ink Preferred offers 3x points on shipping, digital ads, and telecom to up to $150,000 per year.

That’s ideal if you regularly spend in those areas and want to turn that spend into high-value travel redemptions. If you’re part of the 18% of credit card holders who prefer credit cards with steady travel rewards, you’ll get 3x point benefits on travel too.

The Chase Ink Cash card also offers 5% back on office supplies and internet bills, which is useful if your business is service-based or office-bound.

If your spending is more unpredictable, Spark cards are built for consistency. The Capital One Spark Cash Select earns a flat 1.5% on all purchases. Capital One Miles gives 2x miles on all purchases without any category tracking. If your business expenses vary month to month or don’t fall into Chase’s bonus categories, you will likely earn more from Spark’s flat rate.

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If your business is focused less on points and more on controlling spend across teams, Ramp offers built-in expense policies, automated receipt matching, and real-time alerts. All of these are designed to help you reduce waste without manual oversight.

How limits and eligibility are determined

It can be a bit challenging to get approved by Chase Ink. However, it does reward strong profiles with higher limits. Most approved applicants report personal credit scores of 690 or above, along with steady business income and a clean credit history.

But the bigger hurdle is Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you have opened five or more credit cards (personal or business) across any card issuer in the last 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application, even if your business is doing well, which can impact your ability to apply for the Ink Business Preferred® credit card.

If you clear that bar, the payoff is meaningful. Chase tends to offer larger initial lines of credit, especially for businesses with strong financials. For many cardholders, limits start at $10,000 or more, which can support higher-volume spend or larger purchases.

Capital One Spark offers easier approval but reports to personal credit. Spark cards usually require a business credit score of around 670 or higher. Unlike Chase, Capital One often pulls data from all three credit bureaus, and approvals can come quicker, even for newer businesses. That makes Spark a better fit if you have recently opened several cards or are still building your statement credit, particularly if you are considering the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.

But there’s a tradeoff. Capital One reports your Spark card activity to both business and personal credit reports. If you carry a balance or use a high percentage of your limit, it could affect your personal credit score, which is crucial when applying for cards like the Ink Business Preferred® credit card.

Comparing Welcome offers and how much value you can actually unlock

If you are choosing a card based on the welcome bonus alone, Chase Ink gives you more potential value. Capital One Spark, on the other hand, is easier to qualify for and comes with fewer strings attached. Here's how they compare:

The difference is in redemption value. Spark miles don’t stretch as far as Chase points, and their travel portal does not offer the same travel booking site perks or transfer flexibility.

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If your business doesn’t spend enough to hit high welcome bonus thresholds, Ramp gives you a flat cash back on all spending, with no hoops to jump through. More importantly, it helps reduce expenses by an average of 3.3% by catching wasteful spending early.

Comparing rewards on points, miles, and cash back your card earns

Chase Ink and Capital One Spark take very different approaches to rewards. One gives you more upside if you optimize categories. The other gives you value on every dollar without the complexity.

If you want to earn more by tailoring your spending, Chase Ink gives you the leverage. It is built around category-based rewards. That means you earn more in specific areas like travel, online advertising, and office expenses.

• Ink Business Preferred gives you 3x points on the first $150,000 you spend in select categories each year.
• Ink Business Cash offers 5% back on internet, phone, and office supplies—up to $25,000 per year.

If your business consistently spends in these categories, Chase cards lets you earn faster than a flat-rate card. These points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, where they are worth up to 25% more when used for travel.

For simple and consistent rewards, Capital One Spark is a more manageable option. It offers flat-rate earnings on everything you buy. You don’t need to track spending or worry about caps.

• Spark Cash Select earns 1.5% back on all purchases.
• Spark Cash Plus increases that to 2% back, but it’s a charge card, so you will need to pay in full every month.
• Spark Miles for Business offers 2x miles on all purchases, with the option to redeem for travel or transfer to over 15 airline partners.

For businesses with non-categorized or unpredictable expenses, Spark can actually earn more over time. It’s also a better fit if you want straightforward cash back or basic travel perks without managing multiple redemption rules.

Which card is easier to use for everyday operations

When it comes to daily business use, like issuing employee cards, tracking spending, and staying organized, Chase Ink and Capital One Spark offer similar tools on the surface. But one offers more structure and long-term control, while the other focuses on simplicity and speed.

If you want a fast setup and simple tools, Capital One Spark is a more user-friendly option. You can issue free employee cards and set spending limits right from the dashboard. Virtual cards are included, making it easier to assign cards to team members or use them for online subscriptions without waiting for physical delivery.

Capital One’s mobile app is rated 4.9 stars on the App Store, and the dashboard keeps transaction review and category tagging minimal. This setup works well if your business has a small team, minimal bookkeeping needs, and no plans to expand your finance workflows.

If you need layered controls and integration with accounting tools, Chase Ink gives you more structure. It matches Spark on the basics, such as employee cards and spending controls, but goes further in how it connects to broader financial systems. You can tag transactions by category, automate exports into QuickBooks or Xero, and access a more detailed portal through Chase for Business.

Chase’s mobile app earns 4.8 stars on the App Store and includes features that Spark doesn’t offer, such as easier management of multiple cards from a single login.

So, which is better for everyday operations?

Which card offers better travel perks for business trips?

If travel benefits are at the top of your list, Chase Ink and Capital One Spark offer very different experiences. One focuses on valuable rewards and strong protections, while the other leans into simplicity and lounge access. Your choice depends on how you travel and what perks are most important to you.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card is designed for travelers who want more value from every trip. It offers primary rental car coverage, trip delay and cancellation insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. Your points are also worth 25% more, and can be transferred to top-tier airline and hotel partners, such as United, Southwest, JetBlue, and Hyatt.

That flexibility makes Chase Ink the stronger option if you want to maximize point value or manage bookings across different carriers. For business owners who fly often, it provides more tools to stretch every dollar spent on the road.

Capital One Spark Miles offers ease and lounge access but sacrifices point value. You’ll earn 2x miles per purchase, with no categories to manage. Miles can be redeemed through Capital One Travel or transferred to more than 15 airline partners. But transfer rates vary, and redemptions rarely go as far as Chase’s.

What Spark does better is lounge access. Priority Pass lounge visits have jumped up to 31% in 2024, making Spark a good option for these users. You will get two free visits each year to Capital One Lounges or Priority Pass locations.

That’s something Chase Ink doesn’t include. You also get basic travel insurance, secondary coverage for rental cars booked through Capital business cards, and no foreign transaction fees. But, these are less comprehensive than Chase’s benefits.

Chase Ink vs. Capital One Spark vs. Ramp: Which is better?

When comparing the Chase Ink and Capital One Spark cards, it's worth considering whether either card provides what you actually need, or if you should think beyond points and cash back.

That’s where Ramp comes in. Ramp does not offer traditional rewards. Instead, it focuses on real-time visibility, automated controls, and cost savings that extend beyond surface-level benefits. If you're looking for a finance tool, Ramp may be the better fit, especially if your business is growing fast or managing complex expenses.

Here's how the three business credit cards compare:

Choose based on how you spend, earn, and grow

The right business card is more about alignment. Chase Ink offers more value if your spending falls into high-earning categories and you prefer flexible travel redemptions. Capital One Spark is a better option if you prefer flat-rate rewards, fewer rules, and faster approvals.

However, if you're focused on scaling, controlling costs, or enhancing your team's financial management, Ramp offers a distinct approach. You won’t get points, but you will gain real-time visibility, automated controls, and faster month-end close cycles. Ramp customers report saving 3.3% per month on average and closing books 5 days faster.

Every card has strengths. The best one depends on how your business spends, how you earn, and where you're trying to go next.