For small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, managing expenses and maximizing every dollar is crucial. The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card stands out as a powerful tool in this endeavor, offering robust cash back rewards on everyday business spending categories, all with no annual fee. This card is designed to help businesses, from sole proprietorships to established companies, turn their operational costs into valuable savings and flexible rewards. Understanding its benefits and how to apply can significantly impact your business’s financial health.
Key Features and Benefits
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a cornerstone for many small businesses due to its attractive reward structure and accompanying cardholder perks.
1. Generous Cash Back Rewards
The primary allure of the Ink Business Cash card is its tiered cash back earning structure, which focuses on common business expenditures.
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at:
- Office supply stores
- Internet, cable, and phone services This category is incredibly lucrative for businesses that frequently purchase supplies, or have significant telecommunications expenses. Maxing out this tier alone can yield $1,250 in cash back annually.
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants For businesses with employees on the road, frequent travel, or those entertaining clients, this category provides substantial savings.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases: For every other business expense, cardholders earn a standard 1% cash back, with no limit on the amount you can earn.
2. Attractive Welcome Offer
New cardholders can often take advantage of a substantial welcome bonus. While offers may vary, it typically involves earning a significant amount of bonus cash back after meeting a specified spending threshold within the first few months of account opening. For example, a common offer might be earning $350 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, and an additional $400 when you spend a total of $6,000 on purchases in the first six months. This bonus can provide a quick infusion of capital back into your business.
3. No Annual Fee
One of the most appealing aspects of the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is its $0 annual fee. This means you can enjoy all the robust earning potential and benefits without an recurring cost, making it an excellent long-term card for any business.
4. Introductory APR on Purchases
The card often comes with an introductory 0% APR period on purchases for a specified number of months (e.g., 12 months). This can be a significant advantage for new businesses or those planning a large purchase, allowing them to finance expenses interest-free for a considerable period and preserve cash flow. After the introductory period, a variable APR applies.
5. Flexible Redemption Options with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
While advertised as a cash back card, the rewards earned with the Ink Business Cash are actually Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. This is a key benefit, as Ultimate Rewards points are highly flexible. You can redeem them for:
- Cash back: Redeem points at a value of $0.01 per point (e.g., 10,000 points = $100 cash back).
- Gift cards: Often at a value of $0.01 per point.
- Travel through Chase Travel℠: Points can be worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel℠portal if you also hold a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This allows for an effective higher redemption value.
- Transfer to travel partners: If you also hold a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Ink Business Preferred®), you can transfer your points 1:1 to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g., United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, Marriott). This is where the true maximum value of Ultimate Rewards points can be unlocked, potentially yielding significantly more than $0.01 per point.
This ability to pool points with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards makes the Ink Business Cash a powerful component of a broader Chase credit card strategy.
6. Business-Friendly Protections and Features
- Employee Cards at No Additional Cost: You can get employee cards for your team members without any extra fees, allowing you to track spending more easily and accumulate rewards faster. You can also set individual spending limits for each employee card.
- Fraud Protection: Zero Liability protection means you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Purchase Protection: Covers eligible new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days from the purchase date, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Provides primary coverage when you rent a car for business purposes and charge the entire rental cost to your card. This means you can decline the rental company’s often-expensive collision insurance.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: While not insurance, this service provides assistance with medical and legal referrals, and other emergency services when you’re traveling.
Is the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Right for Your Business?
This card is an excellent fit for a wide range of businesses, particularly those that:
- Spend significantly on office supplies and telecom services: If these are major expense categories, the 5% cash back offers unparalleled value.
- Have substantial gas and restaurant expenses: Fleet vehicles, employee meals, or client entertainment make the 2% category valuable.
- Are looking for a business credit card with no annual fee: This keeps costs down while still earning rewards.
- Want to earn flexible rewards: The ability to redeem for cash back or transfer points to travel partners (especially when paired with other Chase cards) offers immense versatility.
- Are small to medium-sized businesses: The $25,000 annual cap on bonus categories is typically sufficient for many small businesses. Larger enterprises with higher spending may hit these caps quickly and might consider other Ink cards like the Ink Business Preferred® or Ink Business Unlimited®.
- Are sole proprietors or have a side hustle: You can apply for this card using your Social Security Number (SSN) as your Tax Identification Number (TIN) if you don’t have an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
How to Apply for the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Applying for the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a straightforward process, primarily done online through the Chase website. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Determine Your Eligibility
Before applying, ensure your business and personal credit profile are suitable. Chase generally looks for:
- Good to Excellent Credit: A personal credit score of 700 or higher is typically recommended for approval for Chase business cards.
- Business Type: This card is suitable for a wide range of business structures, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. Even if you have a side hustle or freelance gig, you may qualify.
- Chase’s 5/24 Rule (Important!): Chase has an unwritten rule, often referred to as “5/24,” which generally means they will deny your application for a new card if you have opened 5 or more personal credit card accounts across all banks in the last 24 months. While business cards generally don’t count towards your 5/24 limit (they don’t appear on your personal credit report), being over 5/24 can often lead to a denial. It’s crucial to check your personal credit report for recent card openings before applying.
2. Gather Necessary Information
You will need to provide detailed information about both yourself (as the business owner) and your business. Have the following ready:
- Personal Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Current residential address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Total annual household income
- Business Information:
- Legal business name (if you are a sole proprietor, this can be your full legal name)
- “Doing Business As” (DBA) name, if applicable
- Business address and phone number
- Type of business (e.g., Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, Corporation)
- Tax Identification Number (TIN): This will be your Social Security Number (SSN) if you are a sole proprietor, or your Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have one.
- Industry type
- Number of employees
- Annual business revenue (even if it’s currently low or projected)
- Number of years in business
- Estimated monthly business spending
3. Visit the Official Chase Website
Go to the official Chase.com website. Navigate to the “Business Credit Cards” section and locate the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.
4. Start the Online Application
Click on the “Apply Now” or “Apply Online” button. You will be directed to a secure online application form.
5. Complete the Application Form
Fill out all the required fields accurately and completely. Be truthful about your business’s revenue and spending, as Chase may ask for verification. For sole proprietors, remember that your personal income and assets can be considered when evaluating your application, so you can often list your personal income as your business income if your business revenue is limited.
6. Review and Submit
Before submitting, carefully review all the information you’ve entered. Read the terms and conditions, including the interest rates, fees, and other disclosures. Once you are confident everything is correct, click the “Submit” button.
7. Application Decision
You may receive an instant decision. If not, Chase will typically inform you that your application is under review. You might receive a decision via email or postal mail within a few business days or weeks. Sometimes, Chase may request additional documentation or a call to verify information.
8. Receive and Activate Your Card
If approved, your Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card will be mailed to your business address, usually within 7-10 business days. Once you receive it, follow the activation instructions provided to begin using your card and earning rewards.
Important Tips for Applicants:
- Don’t Inflate Income/Revenue: Be honest with your financial information. Chase has sophisticated systems to detect discrepancies.
- Understand Business vs. Personal Credit: While the Ink Business Cash is a business card, Chase will typically do a hard inquiry on your personal credit report, and your personal credit history is a significant factor in approval.
- Consider Other Ink Cards: If your spending patterns differ or you prefer travel rewards, also look into the Chase Ink Business Preferred® (for higher travel rewards and a higher annual fee) or the Ink Business Unlimited® (for flat-rate 1.5% cash back on all purchases).
By leveraging the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card strategically, small businesses can turn everyday expenses into significant savings, whether through direct cash back or by maximizing the value of Ultimate Rewards points for travel.
