Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins 3-2. High-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome. Bank of America Travel Rewards is still the right call if no-fee travel — 1.5x flat with no fx markup, plus preferred rewards bumps.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Bank of America Travel Rewards | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.5% (general) | 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel) | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Bank of America Travel Rewards
- 1.5x points on every purchase
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards clients (1.5x → 2.625x)
- Points redeem against any travel purchase, no blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Bank of America Travel Rewards for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel). Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.