IHG One Rewards Premier vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus

IHG One Rewards Premier
VS
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
The short answer: The IHG One Rewards Premier delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

IHG One Rewards PremierCapital One Spark Cash Plus
Annual fee$99$150
Welcome offerUp to 185,000 IHG One Rewards Points$2,000 cash back
Advertising3%2%
Shipping3%2%
Office supplies3%2%
Phone & internet3%2%
Travel5%2%
Everything else3%2%
Est. yearly rewards*$1,530$900
Points typeLocked to IHG One RewardsPools with Capital One → transferable
NetworkMastercardMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of business spending, the IHG One Rewards Premier earns about $1,530 a year in rewards and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus about $900, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The IHG One Rewards Premier charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Capital One Spark Cash Plus charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the IHG One Rewards Premier delivers more total value, about $681 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the IHG One Rewards Premier stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Capital One Spark Cash Plus if you will use travel transfers, the IHG One Rewards Premier if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the IHG One Rewards Premier if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the IHG One Rewards Premier or the Capital One Spark Cash Plus better?
On typical business spending, the IHG One Rewards Premier comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $681 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Capital One Spark Cash Plus can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the IHG One Rewards Premier and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the IHG One Rewards Premier or the Capital One Spark Cash Plus?
As of June 2026, the IHG One Rewards Premier offers up to 185,000 ihg one rewards points and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers $2,000 cash back. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.