Chase offers some of the most valuable travel credit cards for everyday consumers like the *chase sapphire preferred* and the *chase sapphire reserve*. But if you're a small business owner (and trust us, you might have a small business and not even realize it), the bank also has an unparalleled suite of business credit cards that can help you earn even more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
They're the Chase Ink Business credit cards. And there are four to pick from.
Each card in the Ink Business portfolio provides something a little different in terms of earning cash back (or points) and the extra benefits it provides. But the best part is, there's nothing limiting you to only having one of these cards. And depending on which Chase cards you've got, you can turn the cashback you'd normally earn into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Let's take a closer look at the suite of Chase Ink Business credit cards: breaking down the welcome bonus offers, annual fees, and how you can earn additional points to maximize your business spending.
Chase Ink Business Credit Cards Overview
| Ink Business Unlimited | Ink Business Cash | Ink Business Preferred | Ink Business Premier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| Sign-Up Bonus | *ink unlimited bonus_miles_full* | *ink cash bonus_miles_full* | *ink preferred bonus_miles_full* | *ink premier bonus_miles_full* |
| Earn Rate | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases | 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants | 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and on advertising purchases with social media and search engines | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM. 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more. 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | 3% on every foreign transaction | 3% on every foreign transaction | None | None |
Chase Ink Business Credit Card Portfolio
Chase has four different Ink Business credit cards: the *chase ink preferred*, the *ink unlimited*, the *ink cash*, and the *ink premier*.
Each card is a bit different, from annual fees to sign-up bonuses and even how you earn points or cash back. But unlike the Sapphire cards, Chase doesn't restrict you from having multiple Ink Cards. That means it could easily make sense to carry more than one, depending on how much (and where) your business is spending.
Exactly which version(s) make sense for you and your small business likely depends on how and where you are spending most.
But remember: Credit cards are serious business. You should never apply for a credit card if you're already in debt, and never charge more to a credit card than you can afford to pay off immediately. That's especially true when looking at business credit cards, as the spending required to earn a big bonus is often much higher than what you will find on normal, personal credit cards.
Here's a breakdown of all four cards and exactly what the Chase Ink cards offer.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The *chase ink preferred* is the top dog in the Ink credit card portfolio, if you ask us. If your end goal is travel, it's the only Ink card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly.
To start, you can currently earn 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first three months of card membership. It really can't be overstated just how great this limited-time offer is. No other card on the market (business or personal) offers this big of a bonus, with an annual fee under $100.
If you're just getting started with Ink Cards, this is where you should begin.
Chase Ink Preferred: Full Benefits
- bonus_miles_full
- Earn 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards for every dollar spent on travel, shipping, phone, internet, cable, and online advertising with social media sites and search engines, up to $150,000 in combined yearly purchases.
- Earn 1x Chase Ultimate Rewards for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Travel Protections: With the card's trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per person ($10,000 per trip) for pre-paid non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to a covered event.
- Rental Car Insurance: Get primary rental car coverage when you're renting for business purposes and pay for your rental with the Chase Ink Preferred.
- Purchase Protection: Cover your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Cell Phone Insurance: Get up to $1,000 per claim in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay for it with your Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Annual Fee: $95
Learn More about the *chase ink preferred*
Who is the Chase Ink Preferred Best For?
With a low annual fee of just $95, the Ink Preferred packs a huge punch with both the 120,000-point sign-up bonus offer as well as its ongoing benefits.
Since you can redeem the Chase Ultimate Rewards points the card earns through the Chase Travel Portal at a rate of 1.25 cents each, the 120,000-point sign-up bonus offer is worth at least $1,500 towards travel.
But you can also transfer those points to the stable of Chase transfer partners to potentially get even more value.
Since you earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on every dollar you spend on travel, online advertising with social media sites and search engines (like Meta & Google) on up to $150,000 in combined yearly purchases, and shipping, phone, internet, and cable purchases, it's a great card if your business spends a lot on those categories.
Plus, with all of the ongoing travel benefits like primary rental car insurance protection, and trip delay and interruption coverage, it's a great option if you (or your employees) travel frequently.
Read more: A Full Review of the Chase Ink Preferred: 100K Points and a Low Annual Fee
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The *chase ink unlimited* is a no-annual-fee business credit card that technically earns cash back instead of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. But if you hold it alongside the *chase ink preferred*, or even the *chase sapphire preferred* or *chase sapphire reserve*, you can combine that cashback and turn it into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
The Ink Unlimited starts with a welcome bonus of $750 cash back (or 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership. That's a really great bonus for a card with no annual fee!
For your ongoing spending, you'll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every dollar you spend with the card.
Chase Ink Unlimited: Full Benefits
- Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
- The Ink Business Unlimited card has no annual fee
- 1.5x points (1.5% cash back) on all purchases made for your business
- Primary rental car collision and damage waiver coverage
- Lost luggage insurance of up to $3,000 per person per trip
- Foreign transaction fees are not waived
- Add employee cards at no additional cost
Learn more about the *chase ink unlimited*
Who is the Chase Ink Unlimited Best For?
With no annual fee, the Ink Unlimited Card is a great entry point to the Chase Ink ecosystem. And since it earns 1.5% back (or 1.5x points), it's also a great option if your business has a lot of spending that would otherwise earn only 1x point or 1% cash back from other cards – including other Chase Ink cards.
But if you frequently travel internationally, you may want to have a different card in your wallet for purchases abroad. Since the card doesn't waive foreign transaction fees, you'll be on the hook for a fee of 3% of the amount of the purchase price for any transactions you make abroad.
Still, it's a great card that can work especially well in tandem with other Chase Ink or Sapphire cards.
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The *ink business cash* is another no annual fee business card in the Ink portfolio. And it's very similar to the Ink Unlimited.
Again, it technically earns cash back instead of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. But if you hold it alongside the *chase ink preferred*, or even the *chase sapphire preferred* or *chase sapphire reserve*, you can combine that cash back and turn it into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points to use towards travel.
The Ink Unlimited isn't the only no-annual-fee Chase business card currently offering a big sign-up bonus. With the *chase ink cash*, it's broken up into two tiers: You can earn $350 (or 35,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 (or 40,000 points) after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
But it's the bonus categories for your ongoing spending that set this card apart. With the Ink Unlimited, you'll earn 5% back (5x points) on office supply purchases, internet, cable, and phone service purchases on your first $25,000 of combined spending in these categories each year. Additionally, you'll earn 2% back (2x points) at restaurants and gas stations on your first $25,000 of combined spending in these categories each year.
Chase Ink Cash: Full Benefits
- Welcome Offer: *ink cash bonus*
- 10% Relationship Bonus: Chase Ink Cash cards opened between March 17 and Nov. 17, 2024, can get a 10% bonus on all rewards earned in the first year (sign-up and referral bonus points are ineligible). In order to be eligible for the one-time bonus you also need to have a Chase Business Checking account open on your cardmember anniversary date.
- 5x points (5% cash back) on office supply purchases; internet, phone and cable service charges (up to $25,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year).
- 2x points (2% cash back) at restaurants and gas stations (up to $25,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year).
- 1x points (1% cash back) on all other eligible spending
- Primary rental car collision and damage waiver coverage
- Lost luggage insurance of up to $3,000 per person per trip
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Annual Fee: None
Learn more about the *Ink Cash*.
Who is the Chase Ink Cash Best For?
With no annual fee, the Ink Cash Card is another great entry point to the Chase Ink ecosystem. And if your business spends a lot on the categories that earn 5% or even 2% cash back, it's a no-brainer for your business.
But like the Ink Unlimited, if you frequently travel internationally, you may want to have another card in your wallet for purchases abroad. Since the card doesn't waive foreign transaction fees, you'll be on the hook for a fee of 3% of the amount of the purchase price for any transactions you make abroad.
With both the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited cards, it likely makes sense to pair one (or both) of them with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points like the Ink Preferred or either of the personal Chase Sapphire cards.
Read More: Chase Ink Cash vs Chase Ink Unlimited: Which Option is Best for Your Business?
The Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
The *chase ink business premier* is a relative newcomer to the Chase Ink business credit card portfolio. It first launched way back in December 2021 but was only available to existing Chase business customers. That changed a couple of years back, when Chase made applications available to the general public.
At $195, the card has the highest annual fee in the Chase Ink card portfolio. But with that comes another big welcome bonus: You can earn $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
You'll also earn an unlimited 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and an unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases. Finally, you'll earn 5% cash back on purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
But there's one crucial difference with the Ink Premier card: Unlike the other cards on this list, there's no way to turn that cash back into Chase points – even if you've got other Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards. Cash back is your only option.
There was a brief moment last year where Ink Premier cardholders could transfer to Chase Ultimate Rewards, just like you can with both the Ink Cash and Unlimited cards, but that opportunity has since closed – and it doesn't appear that Chase has any plans to open it back up anytime soon.
Chase Ink Premier: Full Benefits
- bonus_miles_full
- Earn an unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more
- Earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Earn an unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Add employee cards at no additional cost
- Annual Fee: $195
Learn more about the *chase ink premier*
Who is the Chase Ink Premier Best For?
The Ink Premier is a good choice for business owners that spend a lot of money – and more importantly, a lot of transactions of $5,000 or more – but the fact that the cashback can't be transferred to Ultimate Rewards is a huge drawback.
Since the card has a $195 annual fee, you also need to make sure your business is spending enough for the annual fee to make sense. With the Ink Unlimited Card earning 1.5% cashback on all purchases, your business would need to spend at least $39,000 per year to be worth it.
If your business spends a lot, the card can certainly make sense. And that is exactly who Chase seems to be targeting with the Ink Premier.
Which Chase Ink Business Card is Best For You?
Beyond the welcome bonuses you can earn, each of the Chase Ink Business Credit Cards offers something a little bit different for your ongoing spending. Remember: Chase doesn't restrict you from having more than one Ink card so that is always an option.
In terms of what Ink card to use where, here's what you need to know:
- The Ink Business Preferred charges a moderate annual fee and is a great option for online advertising spending, and shipping, phone, internet, and cable expenses as you'll earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent in those categories.
- The Ink Business Unlimited is a great “everything else” card. You'll earn an unlimited 1.5% back (or 1.5x points) on all spending made for your business.
- The Ink Cash is a great option for office supplies and phone service purchases. You'll earn 5% back (5x points) on up to $25,000 spent in these categories each year.
- The Ink Premier is the best fit for businesses that spend a lot of money each year. You'll earn 2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% back on all other eligible purchases.
Are You Eligible for a Chase Ink Business Credit Card?
To open a business credit card, you don’t need a full-time business with employees or six-figure revenues.
While that situation would obviously qualify you to open a business credit card, you can also get approved for a small-business credit card with a part-time side hustle, a freelance job, a gig economy job, or even by selling goods on online marketplaces like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and more. In fact, many Americans have what the banks would consider a small business and don't even realize it.
Do you have any income from freelance work, or plans to start freelance work? You have a business. Have you ever sold an item on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or other platforms, or have plans to do so in the future? You have a business.
If you are selling any goods or services, or contracting with a company to do so in an attempt to make a profit, you have a small business and thus are typically eligible to apply for a small business credit card. That makes it possible for just about anybody to apply for a business credit card.
Just keep in mind: You should never lie or attempt to mislead a bank when applying for a business credit card. It's important to have a legitimate business, even if that business is just your own.
Read more: Are You Eligible to Open a Business Credit Card?
The Chase 5/24 Rule
Another wrinkle to be aware of with the suite of Chase Ink Business credit cards, and all Chase credit cards for that matter is something called the Chase 5/24 rule.
If you're not familiar, the 5/24 rule is a hard-and-fast restriction rolled out years ago in order to limit card applicants from opening credit cards for the sole purpose of earning bonus points. If you've heard of the phrase “churning,” that's exactly what this rule is designed to crack down on.
This same rule applies to Chase Ink business cards … just in a slightly different way. Here's what it boils down to:
- If you have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months from any bank credit card issuers (not just Chase cards), you will not be approved for Chase credit cards, regardless of your credit score or history with Chase bank.
- The rule does not count credit inquiries, but rather new cards you have applied for and been approved.
So if you have opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months, you will likely not be approved for Chase credit cards that are subject to the 5/24 rule. And Chase isn't just looking at your history with Chase cards to make this determination: Personal credit cards from any bank will add to your 5/24 count.
But with the Ink Business cards, it works a bit differently. To get approved for a Chase business card, you'll need to be underneath the 5/24 rule to get approved and earn a points bonus … but that approval will not add to your 5/24 count.
For example, let's say you want to apply for the *chase ink preferred*. If you've opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months, you'd likely get denied. But let's say you've opened four credit cards over the last two years. You could get approved … and if you do, you'd remain at 4/24 under this rule.
All that said, there have been reports that people who are above 5/24 have been approved for Chase Ink business cards lately. So it may be worth a try if you're willing to risk a denial – getting denied for a credit card isn't the end of the world, anyway.
In general, most business card approvals do not count toward your 5/24 total. That includes business cards from American Express, Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and more. The reason? Business credit card accounts typically don't show on your personal credit report.
Bottom Line: Chase Ink Business Credit Cards
There's a lot to know about the suite of Chase Ink business credit cards. But if you can get approved for small business credit cards, they are critical to maximizing your spending to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points to travel more for less.