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Our take: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card‘s cash-back rate is hard to beat, particularly for no annual fee. Those who spend a lot in the bonus categories this business card features will find a lot to love about it.
Plus, there’s a promotional 0% introductory APR for 12 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.99%–23.99%) offer—perfect for those who need to finance the purchase of office equipment or supplies and don’t want to incur interest charges.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
Annual fee | $0 |
Regular APR | 17.99%–23.99% variable |
Pros
- Sizable welcome bonus
- Appealing rewards on categories businesses use
- No annual fee
Cons
- No premium travel perks
- Bonus categories have a spending limit
Chase Ink Business Cash: Overview
For those with good credit, the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card could be a useful credit card for business expenses. It provides up to 5% cash back on common business spending categories like internet service, and you can get additional cards for your employees at no extra charge.
The Chase Ink Business Cash Card has some valuable added benefits despite a $0 annual fee. For example, if you have to travel for work, the card includes perks like an auto rental collision damage waiver. You can also score extended warranty protection for purchases.
The downside? This card charges foreign transaction fees, so if you travel internationally for work, that can be an expensive drawback. Using another card without foreign transaction fees, such as the United Business Card or American Express Gold Card, may be a better choice if your travels tend to take you abroad.
Chase Ink Business Cash: Rewards
With the Chase Ink Business Cash Card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend in combined purchases in select categories each year. Eligible categories include:
- Office supply stores
- Internet, cable, and phone services
You’ll also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. On all other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
For a limited time, cardmembers also earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025.
Does the Chase Ink Business Cash Card offer a bonus?
As a new Chase Ink Business Cash cardmember, you can earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
How to redeem Chase Ink Business Cash rewards
As you earn rewards with the Chase Ink Business Cash Card, you can redeem them in the following ways:
Gift cards
Through the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform, you can redeem your points for gift cards from major retailers, including office supply and electronics stores. When you redeem rewards for gift cards, each point is worth one cent. However, some retailers, such as Staples, provide added value; for example, you can get a $15 Staples gift card with just 1,350 points.
Pay with points
At retailers like Amazon or Apple, you can redeem your points at checkout to pay for some or all of your purchases. However, this redemption method will give you less value for your points; each point is worth $0.008, so 100 points will give you 80 cents in redemption value.
Statement credits and electronic deposits
You can redeem your points for statement credits to reduce your credit card bill or request electronic deposits to a checking or savings account.
Travel
Redeem your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards to book business travel, including airfare or hotel accommodations.
Transfer to another card
If you have another eligible Chase card, you can transfer your points to that card. Transferring your points can be advantageous because some cards offer higher redemption values when you book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, when you redeem points with the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card, your rewards redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth 25% more.
Additional benefits
For a business credit card with no annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has some valuable benefits:
- Free employee cards: You can get additional cards for employees at no additional cost and set spending limits on each card.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: If you’re traveling for business and need to rent a car, this benefit provides coverage against theft or collision damage as long as you pay for the rental with the card and decline the rental company’s insurance.
- Travel and emergency assistance: If you’re traveling outside of the U.S. and become ill or have another emergency, the travel and emergency assistance helpline can connect you with referrals to medical and legal services. However, you’re responsible for the cost of any services provided.
- Roadside dispatch: If your car breaks down, you can use the roadside dispatch benefit to get a towing service, gas delivery, or a tire change. However, you’re responsible for the cost of any services provided.
- Purchase protection: Use your card when buying equipment or supplies, and your purchase is covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended warranty protection: On items with warranties of three years or less, the extended warranty benefit adds an additional year to the product’s warranty.
Credit cards similar to Chase Ink Business Cash
The Chase Ink Business Cash Card may only fit some business owners. Depending on your business’ size, revenue, and your spending habits, one of the following cards may be a better fit:
To view rates and fees of the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page
American Express Blue Business Plus vs. Chase Ink Business Cash
For small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express may be a better fit than the Chase Ink Business Cash Card. It has no annual fee, and you can earn 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x point per dollar thereafter).
The card is best for those who don’t have to travel for work since it doesn’t provide common credit card benefits like travel insurance. But it does have perks like extended warranty and purchase protection.
To view rates and fees of the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page
Capital One Spark Cash Select vs. Chase Ink Business Cash
Business owners who value simplicity and ease may prefer the Capital One Spark Cash Select to the Chase Ink Business Cash Card. It doesn’t have an annual fee, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
. The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and you can get additional cards for employees at no added cost.
Is the Chase Ink Business Cash Card right for you?
Despite a $0 annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is best for business owners with established businesses and relatively high expenses. You’ll need to spend at least $3,000 within the first three months to qualify for the bonus, which may be too high of a threshold for freelancers or microbusinesses. Plus, you only earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year, so smaller companies may get less value.
However, established companies with several employees can take advantage of the card’s higher cash-back rate, and employees can get additional cards at no cost, helping your business earn rewards faster. The card provides practical benefits like extended warranty protection, so it can be a sound choice if you’re buying expensive equipment or electronics for the office.
On the other hand, if you don’t have eligible business expenses and need a consumer credit card, check out our list of best credit cards for 2024 instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fee for the Ink Business Cash Card?
The Chase Ink Business Cash Card’s annual fee is $0, so there is no cost to add the card to your wallet.
What is the credit limit for the Ink Business Cash Card?
The credit limit for this card depends on the credit history of you and your business, but the minimum is $3,000. Some cards can have limits as high as $25,000, but higher limits may require additional information.
What credit score do I need for the Ink Business Cash Card?
When you apply for the Ink Business Cash Card, Chase will review your business and individual credit history. You generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, so you’ll likely need a score of 670 or higher to get approved.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date but are subject to change at any time at the issuer’s discretion. Before applying, please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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