Capital One Spark Cash vs Discover it Miles
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Discover it Miles from Discover 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 is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($550 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Miles's. Get the Capital One Spark Cash first; revisit the Discover it Miles after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Discover it Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $450 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Discover |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash or Discover it Miles?
- The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Miles?
- 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 Miles's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Discover it Miles?
- 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 Miles 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 Miles: $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.
