Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Review

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card is best for business owners with good credit who want decent rewards and flexible redemption options. While similar no-annual-fee business cash-back cards may offer a better selection of cash back earning categories, the generous bonus and a competitive promotional 0% APR may make this card a contender if you want a low-maintenance card. Plus, since you’re allowed to combine rewards with those from some other Chase cards, your employees can always carry a companion card to earn more on specific types of purchases. 

Pros Explained

• Competitive bonus for new cardholders: The $750 bonus is sizable compared to other offers on flat-rate cash-back cards with no annual fee, particularly since you only have to spend $7,500 in the first three months. 
• Good introductory 0% APR offer: This card’s 12-month 0% deal is longer than many similar cards’ offers, which are often nine months or less. 
• Flexible redemption options: Unlike some cash-back cards, this one gives you a variety of ways to redeem your rewards. Besides statement credits, cardholders can use points to book travel, buy gift cards, or shop online through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Cons Explained

• Better rewards-earning rates exist: While earning 5% on up to $25,000 worth of purchases each year in office supplies, phone, internet, and cable services is very nice, it's a very limited category. 2% on gas and restaurants and 1% on everything else are unremarkable earning rates.
• Foreign transaction fee: If you plan to conduct business abroad, use a card that doesn’t charge for international purchases. This one will charge you an extra 3% on foreign purchases.

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card Bonus for New Cardholders

Spend $7,500 on eligible purchases in the first three months after opening your account and you’ll get a welcome bonus of $750 in cash back. Only a few other business cards with $0 annual fees can match that.

Earning Points & Rewards

You’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 worth of office supplies, cable, internet, and phone service purchases each year as well as 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in purchases at restaurants and gas stations each year. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. This includes purchases made on employee cards that can be added to the account for free. (As a business owner, you can set individual spending limits on your employee cards.) The rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

Redeeming Rewards

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers lots of flexibility with how you redeem your cash. The simplest way is through an account statement credit. You can also request that a deposit be made into an eligible U.S. checking or savings account.

But you can also use your rewards to book flights, hotel stays, or car rentals directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or by calling the Chase Travel Center. Your cash back is used as points in this case, and each point is worth 1 cent when redeemed for travel. There are no restrictions or blackout dates on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel bookings.

If you want to use your points to surprise clients or employees, redeem points for gift cards you can hand out as thank-yous or awards. You can select gift cards from more than 150 brands, including hotels and office supply stores.

Redemption values for other reward options will vary. For instance, you can instantly redeem your available rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders, including tax and shipping, but $1 is only worth 80 cents at checkout.

How To Get The Most Out Of This Card

Besides spending at least $7,500 in the first three months to earn your welcome bonus, shop through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal to earn increased bonuses at certain retailers and services. Also make sure to add employee cards to maximize your earning opportunities.

Make sure to use this card for your phone, internet, and cable services in order to earn as much 5% cash back as you can. If you don't have a better option use it on gas and restaurants as well to earn 2% cash back. Consider pairing it with a card that earns 1.5% or more on all purchases for the rest of your spending.

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card’s Excellent Perks

There aren’t many fancy perks with this card, but there is one benefit deemed excellent by The Balance’s editors:

Primary rental car collision insurance: If you decline the rental company's collision insurance when you charge the entire cost to your card, you can be reimbursed up to the actual cash value of the vehicle in cases of theft or collision. As long as the rental is for business purposes, this coverage is primary, meaning your own car insurance doesn’t have to be exhausted first.

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card’s Other Features 

• Travel and emergency hotline 
• Roadside assistance hotline
• Insurance for stolen or damaged purchases
• Extended warranties
• Purchase protection

Customer Experience

Chase came in fourth out of 11 card issuers in JD Power’s 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, scoring just one point below the average.

Cardholders can manage their accounts using the Chase Mobile app or via their online account, and can get in touch with Chase 24/7 via the number on the back of their card. Also, you get complimentary access to your credit score, credit alerts, weekly score updates and score simulator via Chase’s Credit Journey tool. 

Security Features 

The security features on this card are standard for the industry, including fraud protection and personalized account alerts.

Fees to Watch Out For

Besides the 3% charge on foreign transactions, the fees for this card are comparable to others in the category. It’s worth noting that there is no overlimit fee.