The world of small-business credit cards often lacks premium options, making it difficult for business owners to justify the expense of an annual fee that doesn’t directly contribute to their bottom line. However, there are still great options available for small businesses looking to earn valuable travel rewards without breaking the bank. Two such options are the Capital One Spark Miles for Business and the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. In this article, we will compare these two cards and help you determine which is the right choice for your business.
The annual fee for the Ink Business Preferred is $95, while the Spark Miles for Business has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees). Both cards offer attractive sign-up bonuses, with the Ink Business Preferred offering 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months, and the Spark Miles for Business offering 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the same timeframe. While the Ink Business Preferred has a more impressive welcome offer, the Spark Miles for Business requires less spending and offers a higher value for each mile.
In terms of benefits, both cards offer employee cards at no additional cost and have no foreign transaction fees. The Ink Business Preferred provides various travel insurance and protection benefits, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay insurance. It also offers cellphone protection for up to $1,000 per claim. The Spark Miles for Business, on the other hand, only offers purchase security and extended warranty protection. It does, however, provide a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit of up to $100.
When it comes to earning points, the Ink Business Preferred offers 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on shipping, internet, cable, phone services, advertising purchases with social media sites, search engines, and travel. It also earns 5 times the total points on Lyft rides (through March 2025) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Spark Miles for Business, on the other hand, offers a fixed 2 miles per dollar on most purchases and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. If your business spends a lot in the bonus categories of the Ink Business Preferred, it may be the better choice. However, for a simpler earning structure, the Spark Miles for Business comes out ahead.
Both cards earn transferable points that can be redeemed for travel through their respective travel portals or transferred to airline and hotel partners. The Ink Business Preferred has 14 transfer partners, while the Spark Miles for Business has 15+ partners. Both cards also allow for redemption towards statement credit and gift card purchases, although this provides a lower return on investment.
In conclusion, the Ink Business Preferred is the better choice for small-business owners who can take advantage of its bonus categories and pool points with other Chase cards. The Spark Miles for Business, on the other hand, is ideal for those who prefer a simpler points-earning structure. Ultimately, the decision depends on your business’s spending habits and travel preferences.