Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs Chase Freedom Flex
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash Plus comes from Capital One at $150/yr; the Chase Freedom Flex from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,800 more in estimated value) than the Chase Freedom Flex's. Get the Capital One Spark Cash Plus first; revisit the Chase Freedom Flex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash Plus | Chase Freedom Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $2,000 cash bonus | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $30,000 in 3 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Chase |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Chase Freedom Flex
Worth it only if you'll actually activate the rotating 5% categories every quarter. If you won't, the Freedom Unlimited earns more on everyday spend with zero effort.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash Plus or Chase Freedom Flex?
- The Capital One Spark Cash Plus has the bigger bonus, $2,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $2,000, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Flex.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash Plus's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Flex?
- At $150/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Freedom Flex's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash Plus and Chase Freedom Flex?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Capital One Spark Cash Plus or the Chase Freedom Flex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $30,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Freedom Flex: $500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
