All credit cards
Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash Select vs Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash Select comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card from Cardless at $249/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash Select | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $249 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | Not advertised |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | - |
| Issuer | Capital One | Cardless |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash Select
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Editorial take: Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash Select or Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card?
- Neither card has a publicly advertised sign-up bonus today. Watch for limited-time offers from each issuer.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash Select's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash Select is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash Select and Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Cardless) 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 Select or the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash Select: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. 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.