If you’re a small business owner looking for a business credit card that has generous bonus rewards for many common business-related purchases, the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card may be just the right card for you.
With no annual fee and a generous $500 cash back sign-up bonus, this card is a solid choice, even if you aren’t necessarily a big spender or own a big business. In fact, you don't even need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to apply. Solo entrepreneurs and side hustlers can take advantage of these perks!
Multiple bonus rewards categories also make racking up points easy, but be aware of spending caps for the most generous bonus rewards. Keep reading this Chase Ink Business Cash review to learn everything you need to know about this powerful business credit card.
Up to 5% Cash Back
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Benefits
- $500 cash back sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- Up to 5% cash back
Drawbacks
- Capped spending on bonus cash back categories
- Has foreign transaction fee
Who should get the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card?
The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card can be an ideal choice if the bulk of your business spending is on office supply stores and internet, cable, or phone services (up to $25,000 combined annually) — categories that offer 5% cash back.
If you want a no-hassle card, this is also a great option. The rewards program is simple and easy to use and points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or other purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Plus, there’s no annual fee for these perks. All in all, this makes this card a great fit for small business owners.
If you have employees, this card offers employee cards for no additional cost. Free employee cards make this card a good fit as a small business credit card.
But if you or your staff travel abroad regularly, a Chase Ink credit card with no foreign transaction fee might be a better option since this card does have a 3% foreign transaction fee you’ll pay when purchasing items outside of the U.S. Big spenders may also wish to look elsewhere due to caps on bonus rewards you can earn. If that sounds like you, then the Chase Ink Business Preferred will be the business credit card for you.
Card basics
| Card type | Business |
| Card issuer | Chase |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Intro bonus | Earn $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months |
| Reward rate | 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, or phone services (up to $25,000 combined annually); 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 combined annually); and 1% cash back on everything else |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Intro APR | 0% for 12 months on purchases |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% |
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card benefits and perks
- Generous welcome bonus: Earn $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months after account opening.
- Bonus rewards: Earn 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, or phone services (up to $25,000 combined annually); 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 combined annually); and 1% cash back on everything else.
- Even more rewards: This card also offers 5% cash back on each dollar spent on Lyft rides, which can be great for frequent business-related travel.
- Intro APR: There are not many business credit cards that offer a low introductory APR, but the Chase Ink Business Cash does. This can help small or new businesses get off the ground and improve your cash flow. If you have a lot of new purchases planned, this is a great perk.
- Additional cards for staff: Employee cards are free, and you can set individual spending limits for workers when you provide them with a card.
- No annual fee: Unlike other business cards that may provide more generous cardholder perks, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card has no annual fee for being a cardmember.
- Primary car rental insurance: When renting a vehicle for business purposes, Chase provides comprehensive auto rental collision coverage. This coverage is primary, which means you don’t have to make a claim with another insurer before Chase covers you. Most cars rented in the U.S. and abroad are covered, as long as you charge the entire rental cost to your card.
Drawbacks of this card
- Foreign transaction fee: If you or your employees will be traveling overseas, then this card may not be a fit for you. It has a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
- Capped spending categories: If you are a larger business, then you may hit the spending limits for the bonus rewards categories. You may need more than one more business credit card or a different card altogether to get the most out of your business expenses.
- Limited spending categories: If your primary business expenses are not in line with the bonus categories for this card, then you won't earn a lot of cash back. So if you spend a lot on social media and marketing, then a card like the Chase Ink Business Preferred may be a better fit.
Earning & redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look how your cash back (or Chase Ultimate Rewards) can add up with the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card. To calculate these values, we used a point valuation of $.01.
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $895
Year two earnings: $395
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at points earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee.
Best ways to earn cash back
This card is a powerful, but straightforward cashback card. You can maximize the cash back earned with your Ink Business Cash Credit Card by shopping at office supply stores, investing in telecommunications services, and using your card at restaurants and gas stations.
The Chase Ink Cash card can also be used as a rewards card. Points can easily be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, not just for cash but also for gift cards, travel, and even merchandise.
Earning categories
| Lyft rides | 5% |
| Office supply stores and internet, cable, or phone services (up to $25,000 combined annually) | 5% |
| Gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 combined annually) | 2% |
| Everything else | 1% |
Maximizing your redemptions
Getting cash back as a statement credit gives you the most flexibility, as your spending rewards can be used to reduce your bill. But Chase Ultimate Rewards also gives you many other redemption options, including redeeming for travel or merchandise.
You can also boost the rewards you’re able to earn by maxing out the bonus categories or adding employees to your card account as authorized users, since their purchases will help you earn cash back as well.
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card FAQs
Does the Chase Ink Business Cash earn Ultimate Rewards?
Though the Ink Business Cash is a cashback credit card, you also have the option to redeem the cash back you earn for travel or merchandise through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
To use Ultimate Rewards: Log into your account, then choose to shop with Apple or Amazon, buy gift cards to nearly 200 stores, book travel, transfer points to travel partners, and more. You can also get up to 150 bonus points when shopping at more than 350 different stores.
What are Chase Ink Business Cash points worth?
Points earned with the Ink Business Cash Credit Card are generally worth $0.01 each, but the value of the redemption options may vary depending on what you use your points for.
What counts as an office supply store to earn bonus rewards for the Chase Ink Business Cash?
Chase defines office supply stores as those that specialize in selling office supplies. Office Max, Office Depot, or Staples likely fit this bill. Stores that sell mostly general goods — even if they also sell office items — likely won’t qualify for the bonus rewards. Department stores or electronics sellers, for instance, fall into this category. Similarly, merchants that specialize in just a few big office necessities, such as office furniture or photocopiers, likely won’t qualify.
How do you redeem Ink Business Cash rewards?
With the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, you have a choice for how to redeem your rewards. You can redeem for cash back as a statement credit applied to your balance, have your cash back deposited directly to most checking and savings accounts, buy gift cards, shop with points at Amazon, or redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What credit score do you need for the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card?
For a business owner to qualify for the Chase Ink Business Cash, you will need a good to excellent credit score.
Which Chase Ink business card is the best credit card?
The answer to which Chase Ink business credit card is the best one really depends on you. Every business owner will have different business expenses and a different lifestyle as well. If you are looking for simple cashback rewards, then the Chase Ink Business Unlimited might be your best choice. If you are looking for purchase protection and travel coverages, then the Chase Ink Business Preferred will be the card for you.
Other credit cards to consider
The bottom line is that the Chase Ink Cash card can provide great value for those who tend to spend heavily in the bonus categories, but it’s always a good idea to compare other cards to make sure you’re getting the most value.
The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business card can be a great alternative if you’d rather have a straight-forward earnings structure instead of predefined bonus categories. You’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase, every day, and new cardmembers can earn a $500 cash bonus after meeting spending requirements. There is an annual fee of $95 (waived first year), so if that’s a deal-breaker for you, you’ll want to keep shopping.
If you’re not interested in paying an annual fee but like the idea of earning a solid rate on every purchase, The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express may be what you’re looking for. You’ll earn 2X Membership Rewards points on business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on purchases after that. Cardmembers will also receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and a 0% intro APR for 12 months, without paying a penny in annual fees.
Up to 5% Cash Back
Special Offer
Earn $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
See how these cards compare:
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The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- 2X Membership Rewards Points on first $50,000 each year
- Global Assist hotline
- No annual fee
- Terms apply
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Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
- $500 cash welcome bonus
- 2% unlimited cash back
- Free employee cards
- No foreign transaction fee