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Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash vs Discover it Cash Back
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Capital One Spark Cash is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($800 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the Capital One Spark Cash first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Discover |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash or Discover it Cash Back?
- The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Cash Back's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Discover it Cash Back?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Discover) 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 or the Discover it Cash Back first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.