Pros and cons
- Pros:
- No annual fee
- High 5% cash-back rate in important business categories
- Good welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months
- Cons:
- Spending caps on bonus categories
- It has a 3% foreign transaction fee
- You need another Chase card to get the most out of the rewards
Overview
The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card is a favorite among small business owners. It offers some of the best cash-back rates for common business expenses, and it does it all with no annual fee. This card is for businesses that want to get the most back on their spending without paying for a premium card. If your business spends a good amount at office supply stores or on utilities, you should look at this card.
This card works well for many businesses, from freelancers to small companies. You can get employee cards at no extra cost, which makes it simple to keep all your spending in one place and earn rewards more quickly. The sign-up bonus is also quite good for a card with no annual fee. It gives new cardholders a nice chunk of cash right away.
Welcome offer
The Chase Ink Business Cash has a sign-up bonus of $750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. this is a great deal for a card that costs nothing to own. It’s a solid return on your initial spending. It can help with startup costs.
Key benefits and perks
Besides the rewards, the Ink Business Cash has some useful benefits. You can get employee cards for free. This is a great feature for business owners who want to make expense management easier. You can set a spending limit for each employee card. This gives you more control.
The card also gives you purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Purchase protection covers new items for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim. The extended warranty adds an extra year to a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty. these benefits are quite helpful, especially for a card that has no annual fee.
If you travel for business, the card offers a primary auto rental collision damage waiver. You can decline the rental company’s insurance and still be covered for theft and collision damage. This is a nice perk that can save you real money on rental cars.
Earning rewards
This is where the Chase Ink Business Cash is a winner. You 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 year.
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year.
- 1% cash back on everything else, with no limit.
The 5% cash-back rate is one of the best you can get in these categories. If your business spends a lot on office supplies or utilities, the rewards add up fast. The 2% on gas and dining is a good bonus too. The spending caps are a downside, but for many small businesses, they are high enough.
Redeeming rewards
You can get your rewards as a statement credit or a direct deposit. Simple. But the real secret of this card is pairing it with a premium Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. Think of the Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve.
When you do this, you can turn your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points. The ratio is 1:1. So your 5% cash back becomes 5 Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar you spent. Experts value Ultimate Rewards points at about 2 cents each, so that’s like getting a 10% return on your spending. This is an amazing value. It’s why It is worth noting to pair the Ink Business Cash with another Chase card.
Transfer partners
The Chase Ink Business Cash card itself has no transfer partners. But, as mentioned, you can move your points to a premium Chase card. Then you can transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners. The list is long. It includes partners like Hyatt, Southwest, and United.
Here are some of them:
- Aer Lingus, AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Emirates Skywards
- Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
Competing cards
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: This card costs $95 a year, but it earns 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping, and advertising. It’s the perfect partner for the Ink Business Cash.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: This card has no annual fee and lets you pick your own 3% cash-back category. It’s a solid choice if your spending doesn’t fit the Ink Business Cash’s bonus categories.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: This card gives you a simple 2% cash back on all purchases. It’s an easy and rewarding card for businesses with varied spending.
Who should get this card?
The Chase Ink Business Cash is a smart pick for small business owners who want high rewards on their spending without paying an annual fee. It’s really good for businesses that spend a lot at office supply stores or on utilities. If you already have a premium Chase card, getting this card is a no-brainer to earn more Ultimate Rewards.
But, if your business spends a lot on travel or in other categories, you might want a different card. The foreign transaction fee also makes it a bad choice for international trips.
Bottom line
The Chase Ink Business Cash is one of the top no-annual-fee business credit cards available. Its high earning rates and useful perks make it a great fit for many businesses. When you pair it with a premium Chase card, it becomes a powerful way to earn and use rewards.
Related reading
Looking for a better option?
Lovie combines company formation, banking, and virtual cards in one platform. No personal guarantee, 1.5% cashback on everything.
