Overview
A strong credit card is vital to any business owner. From freelancers to full-blown CEOs, credit cards are an excellent way to maximize spending, offer flexibility, and maybe even grab a few perks in the process. But no card is the same, and picking the wrong one can be more than frustrating, it could wind up costing your business money.
Chase offers an excellent line of business products, each built for a different kind of business and spending style. Whether you need it to improve cash flow, separate your personal and business expenses, or are building on your points and miles strategy, there’s a card for you.
The Bottom Line
Chase’s businesses are popular for a reason. From high-end luxury cards to freelance-friendly cashback options, they’re an indispensable tool for any type of business. Just make sure you consider your specific situation and check your financials before opening one of the cards.
Chase’s core business cards are a cornerstone of business finance for a reason. The strength of the ecosystem lies in its powerful Ultimate Rewards program and the ability to choose the right card for your specific spending habits. Whether used individually or as part of a multi-card strategy, the combination of generous welcome bonuses, strong earning categories, and the flexibility of the Ultimate Rewards program provides immense value that can be a game-changer for your business finances.
Chase Business Cards
Each card has its strengths and weaknesses, making it the right or wrong choice for any given business owner. Let’s take a high-level look at each of Chase’s business products.
Note: It’s worth remembering that if you already have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can convert your cashback into points, too. If you only have a cashback product, you’re stuck with that.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
This card is an excellent no-annual-fee business card that racks up cashback on several high-value categories.
Who’s it best for?
Office-based business owners will reap the most benefits from this card, thanks to its high-earning bonus categories. The lack of an annual fee can also make it attractive to freelancers who don’t want to fork out for their card. Those with a broader credit card strategy may also find it useful to use this card for office supplies and another card with a strong flat-rate earning scheme on other purchases.
Who shouldn’t get it?
The simplest answer is “anyone who doesn’t have office supply expenses”. It’s the card’s only major earning category, so earnings will be heavily capped. Opting for a card with a flat-rate scheme or more specific categories would be better.
- Best for: Cash Back on Business Expenses
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 17.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
$750 Cash-Back
Offer Details:
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Why we like it
The Ink Business Cash Card pulls attention with its big intro bonus, currently sitting at up to $750 of cash back. The card has no annual fee and reward spending categories like 5% cash back (5x points) on purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (up $25,000 per year).
Also, you can supercharge the Ink Cash’s rewards if you have a companion Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred. You can pool your points and make them more valuable by transferring them to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways and more.
Reward details
5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
Pros & Cons
Pros
$750 welcome bonus
No annual fee
If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can pool your points and make them more valuable. You’ll be able to transfer your points to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott, Air Canada, Southwest, United, and more.
Cons
It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards likes the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with no annual fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Terms Apply
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
This card is a remarkably simple but strong-earning cashback card with no annual fee.
Who’s it best for?
The Ink Business Unlimited is an excellent product that could serve almost any business owner well in the right circumstances. Its flat-rate 1.5% cashback rate takes the complexities out of earning and, combined with its lack of an annual fee, it’s a low-risk, high-reward option. Small businesses and freelancers can maximize their varied outgoings, while bigger spenders with other cards can use it as a sweeper, mopping up bonus points where their other products can’t. Its 0% APR for the first twelve months is outstanding, too.
Who shouldn’t get it?
Honestly, this card could have a place in almost any business owner’s wallet. The only possible exception would be a business with super-specific spending in one category that’s better served with another card.
- Best for: Small Business Owners
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 17.49% - 23.49% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1.5%
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
$750 Cash Back
Offer Details:
$750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Why we like it
The Ink Business Unlimited Card shines with its large intro bonus, currently sitting at $750 of cash back. The card has no annual fee and a simple but strong rewards-earning rate, with 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all purchases. This means you don’t have to worry about tracking any bonus categories and still know that each time you swipe the card you’ll be racking up points.
Even better, if you have a companion Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card, or the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can pool your rewards from the Ink Unlimited and make them more valuable by transferring them to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways, Southwest, and more.
Reward details
1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business
Pros & Cons
PROS
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For small business owners and freelancers it’s one of the best cards for turning spending into valuable rewards. The welcome bonus alone is worth $750 of cash back and you’ll continue to rack up rewards with a solid earning rate that applies to all purchases.
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It has no annual fee.
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If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can pool your points and make them more valuable. You’ll be able to transfer your points to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott, Air Canada, Southwest, United, and more.
CONS
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It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards likes the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with no annual fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition.
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It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Terms Apply
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
This card is a tremendous card for maximizing business travel expenses, as well as other big-spend categories.
Who’s it best for?
Business owners with a lot of travel to do can rack up thousands of points a year thanks to the 3x points per dollar on up to the first $150,000 spent on travel. That earring rate extends to shipping, advertising, and even internet and cable services, making it an incredible all-rounder. Combining it with the Ink Business Unlimited would be an excellent idea, allowing the cardholders to scrape every point possible from their business spending for just $95 a year.
Who shouldn’t get it?
If none of the card’s bonus categories make sense for your business, it’s probably a no-go. Even though they’re broad, it’s still possible you’d be left with just 1x point per dollar on most of your purchases. Even though it has a fee, it’s low on perks and benefits besides purchase protections, so if you have an eye on luxury, you’ll need to upgrade.
- Best for: Business Travel
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 20.24% - 26.24% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
90,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
90,000 Bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Ink Business Preferred Business Card pulls attention with its big intro bonus, currently sitting at 90,000 points. That’s worth in $900 cash back, $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or even more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways and more. But the card shows its real value with its high-earning bonus-spending categories. Freelancers and business owners alike will earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year.
Reward details
3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
1X point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn
Pros & Cons
Pros
Simply put, for small business owners and freelancers it’s one of the best cards for turning business spending into valuable travel. The bonus alone is worth $900 cash back, $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or potentially more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott or Air Canada.
It also offers some stellar protections including a comprehensive reimbursement on damaged or stolen cell phones, and primary rental car coverage.
It has a reasonable $95 annual fee.
If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or even a cash back earning Chase card, you can pool your points and make them more valuable.
Cons
It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with the low fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Terms Apply
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
A pricier card with some strong earning rates on big purchases and an excellent flat-rate earning scheme, too.
Who’s it best for?
If your expenses have increased or you have regular bulk buys over $5,000, the card’s $195 annual fee shouldn’t scare you. With 2.5% cashback on purchases over $5,000 and 2% cashback on everything else, higher spenders will rack up the returns. Those who value simplicity will enjoy the latter. Interestingly, this card is a Pay-in-Full product, so you’ll need to pay back everything each month. It does have an option to make specific purchases flexible with interest, though, just in case you need it.
Who shouldn’t get it?
If you have a specific purchase category that is better served by another card, it’s worth going for that one. There still aren’t any real perks to be found, either. $10,000 in annual spending (not including the 2.5%) is the minimum to ensure the cashback equals the fee. So if you fall below that figure, you’re losing money.
- Best for: Large Business Spending
- Annual Fee: $195
- Variable APR: 18.49% – 26.49%
- Reward Rate: 1X – 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back
Offer Details:
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Ink Business Premier® is built for businesses with big spend. There’s no points transfer like some other Chase cards, but its simple cash-back system make it a powerhouse for business owners looking for maximum returns on their spending. If your business has significant outgoings on a host of business categories that would be pinned down by specific bonuses this card could be for you.
Reward details
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more
2% cash back on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
One of the strongest flat-rate cards available for businesses with large transactions
Huge upfront bonus after $10,000 spend in 3 months.
Elevated earnings on Chase Travel
Flat-rate earnings are simple and lucrative
Solid purchase protection and extended warranty coverage for business expenses.
Cons
Points from this card cannot be transferred to travel partners.
Pay in full format may offer less flexibility for some, despite its helpful features
Terms Apply
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Credit Card
A new high-end card for luxury travel perks and earning on travel or advertising.
Who’s it best for?
Anyone with major travel expenses will be well served by this card. With up to 8x points per dollar on Chase Travel, 4x points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising costs, it could pull huge amounts of points. Throw in the lounge access, travel credits, and the ability to transfer points to outstanding airlines and hotels, and you’ve got the whole package.
Who shouldn’t get it?
A card this good comes with a huge annual fee. $795 to be specific. While it’s easy to recoup that using the card’s benefits and earning potential, those with smaller budgets should be hesitant. It’s important to check that each benefit is useful and that the earnings are worth the annual fee. Of course, the intro bonus is valuable enough to cover it for two years, but it’s still risky for smaller spenders.
- Best for: Business Luxury Travel
- Annual Fee: $795
- APR: 20.24% – 28.74% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X – 8X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Credit Card
200,000 bonus points
Offer Details:
Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Sapphire Reserve® for Business takes everything people love about the personal version and supercharges it for business owners. With its revamped perks, business travelers can unlock more than $3,000 in annual value when maximizing benefits like flexible travel credits, airport lounge access, and robust transfer partners.
Reward details
8x points on all purchases booked through Chase Travel℠
5x points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27
4x points on flights and hotels booked direct with the airline or hotel
3x points on social media and search engine advertising
Pros & Cons
Pros
Points can be worth up to 2 cents each when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® Portal, keeping redemptions simple and lucrative.
Strong lineup of airline and hotel transfer partners, opening up premium travel redemptions.
Business-friendly perks on common business expenses
Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300 lounges and restaurants worldwide.
Annual $300 Travel Credit helps offset the fee immediately.
Cons
Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule
Chase’s once-per-lifetime rule for Sapphire cards applies: if you’ve ever earned a welcome bonus on a Sapphire Reserve, Preferred, or Business, you can’t earn one again on the same product.
The high annual fee is rough unless you can use all the benefits
Terms Apply
The Point
Chase has a comprehensive selection of business cards. Each is designed to slip into the day-to-day workings of different setups, offering the ability to earn cashback or points and even upgrade their travel experiences with lounge access and travel credits. Which one is the right fit for you will depend on your monthly outgoings, personal preferences, and the confidence you have to maximize the card.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
