Which of the two no-annual-fee business cards, Chase Ink Business Cash or Chase Ink Business Unlimited, is the better choice?
Two of the best no-annual-fee business credit cards are the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. Both cards offer a valuable welcome bonus, cash back rewards, and an intro-APR period.
CNBC Select offers a comprehensive guide to small business credit cards, allowing you to choose the ideal card for your business needs.
Annual fee
Neither the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card nor the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card comes with an annual fee.
Welcome bonus
After obtaining an Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, you will receive $750 in bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The New Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a tiered spending requirement for earning a welcome bonus of up to $750.
- You receive $350 in cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Upon reaching a total spending of $6,000 in the first six months of account opening, you will receive an extra $400 in cash back.
Both cards require the same amount of spending to earn $750 cash back, but the Ink Business Cash offers an additional three months to meet the requirement and also provides the chance to earn a bonus even if you don't reach the full $6,000 threshold.
You can earn a 10% relationship bonus with Ink Business Cash Card if you open the card between March 17 and Nov. 17, 2024, and have an eligible business checking account with Chase on your first card anniversary. Additionally, you can earn an additional 10% bonus based on the cash back you earned from spending your Ink Business Cash card that year. However, the card's welcome bonus does not qualify for the 10% relationship bonus.
Rewards
Both the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offer competitive cash back rates, but they excel in different spending categories.
The Ink Business Cash rewards office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services with cash back. Additionally, it earns a solid return at gas stations and restaurants. Maxing out the bonus categories can earn you $1,750 cash back annually, but these categories are capped, and after the annual limit is reached, the return drops to 1% cash back.
The Ink Business Unlimited offers a higher return on all purchases, with no cap, compared to the Ink Business Cash Card's 1.5% on all purchases. This is a 50% increase in return. If your business expenses fall outside of the Ink Business Cash's bonus categories or exceed their spending limits, the Ink Business Unlimited provides a higher return.
Redemption options
Both the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card provide the same redemption options.
These business cards offer cash-back rewards, but you earn them as Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem these points for gift cards, statement credits, travel (through Chase TravelSM), and more. The maximum value you'll receive is usually one cent per point.
If you have a Chase credit card, you can increase its value by pairing it with another Chase credit card. If you also have a card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can instantly increase the value of your points by 25% for travel booked through Chase TravelSM. Additionally, you can transfer your points to all of Chase's partner travel programs at a 1:1 ratio, including Emirates Skywards, World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and more.
Benefits
Business owners will be thrilled to know that both the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offer a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening. After the intro APR expires, a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49% applies.
Both cards offer the same insurance perks.
- Rental car collision coverage
- Travel and emergency assistance services
You can add employee cards to your account at no extra cost using either card.
Which card is right for you?
The decision on which cards to choose will depend on where your business spends the most.
If your business frequently purchases office supplies, gas, food, and internet, cable, and phone services, the Ink Business Cash may be a better fit. However, for all other purchases, the Ink Business Unlimited offers at least 1.5% cash back on every transaction.
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