Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card review: Straightforward cash-back rewards for business owners
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 7:11 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023
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For those who don’t have time to stay on top of revolving bonus categories or spending caps, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers a simple 1.5% cash back on purchases. Plus, it has a lucrative welcome bonus for new cardholders.
Editor’s note: This article contains updated information from a previously published story.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Introduction
Business owners who want a simple, flat cash-back rewards program will find just that in a Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card. It doesn’t require you to strategically plan purchases around revolving or tiered bonus categories.
Plus, its current welcome bonus offer is its most appealing feature. New business cardholders can earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. New cardholders also can access a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 18.49% to 24.49% variable APR applies to purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
However, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited rewards program is fairly vanilla as far as business rewards cards go. It offers a similar rewards rate and benefit features that you might expect from a no-annual-fee card class at 1.5% cash back on purchases. Although that’s better than a meager 1% cash-back program, there are more exciting options on the market. The foreign transaction fee also puts a damper on this card for anyone planning on using this card when traveling abroad or for international purchases.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited basics
- Annual fee: $0.
- Welcome bonus: $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Rewards: 1.5% cash back on purchases.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 18.49% to 24.49% variable APR applies to purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Short list of other meaningful perks/benefits: High-value welcome bonus, employee cards at no extra charge, rewards can be combined with other eligible Chase cards.
- Does the issuer offer a pre-approval tool? No.
- Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited other details
Chase Ink Business Unlimited rewards
Chase’s Ultimate Rewards® program uses “points” as its currency. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on purchases using your Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card. However, transactions like balance transfers, fees, and gambling activity won’t earn you points.
Points can be redeemed as cash back via an electronic deposit into an eligible account, or as a statement credit. They can also be redeemed for travel through Chase’s travel booking portal, gift cards, or used to purchase products and services through “Pay with Points” at participating third-party merchants.
Outside of the welcome bonus, you can maximize your rewards earnings with Shop through Chase. It offers special bonus rewards promotions when you use Chase’s URL to shop at a merchant online. Additionally, if you have another Chase credit card that participates in Ultimate Rewards, you have the option of combining your points for an even higher redemption.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited rewards potential
We gathered government and other publicly available data to calculate the rewards potential of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card. We found that a typical household in the market for this card earns an annual income of $84,352. Of that amount, $25,087 would be allotted toward expenses that might be charged to a credit card.
Based on these assumptions, we estimate that the rewards potential for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card is approximately $376.30 per year.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited APR details
New Chase Ink Business Unlimited cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 18.49% to 24.49% variable APR applies to purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited pros
- High-value welcome bonus: Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This is one of the highest welcome bonuses among small business credit cards.
- No-cost employee credit cards: You won’t pay an additional fee for issuing an employee their own business credit card. This can help you track and limit individual employees’ spending on the business account.
- No annual fee: There’s no upfront cost to open and maintain the card.
- Rewards can be combined: Rewards can be combined with another eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards card that belongs to the company owner. Being able to pool your rewards between cards adds additional redemption flexibility.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited cons
- No regular bonus rewards categories: For seasoned rewards credit card holders, Chase Ink Business Unlimited’s 1.5% cash back on purchases might feel uninspired.
- Foreign transaction fee: International purchases incur a fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars on top of the purchase amount. These days, it’s not uncommon to find competing business credit cards offering zero foreign transaction fees.
- Balance transfer fee: Business owners who want to take advantage of the card’s introductory APR promotional offer will face a balance transfer fee of: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater..
Other cards to consider instead of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card * The information for the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The no-annual-fee American Express Blue Business Cash Card (terms apply, ) is a simple business cash-back card that lets you earn slightly higher rewards, compared to Chase Ink Business Unlimited.
You can earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (automatically rewarded via statement credits), up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% using The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card * The information for the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
All information about The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Like the Chase Ink Business Unlimited, the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard doesn’t charge an annual fee, and it offers 3 points per $1 on car, hotel or airline travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 on other purchases. Those who are eligible for Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program could see even greater rewards of 25% to 75% more points per dollar spent.
It also doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees which could present savings for businesses that regularly transact abroad.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus * The information for the Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you need borrowing flexibility, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card might be a solution. There is no APR because the balance is due in full every month. If the bill is paid late, a 2.99% late fee will be charged each month.
It charges a $150 annual fee, and earns an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You’d have to spend at least $7,500 (without any travel bookings through Capital One) each year to break even with the annual fee. Those who spend upwards of $150,000 annually on the card will receive a refund of the $150 annual fee each year they meet that spending threshold, which can easily justify the annual fee.
Should you get the Chase Ink Business Unlimited?
Business owners who want to earn cash back through a flat, no-frills rewards program might appreciate Chase Ink Business Unlimited. It’s also a useful and convenient option if you need to issue individual business cards throughout your team, and set custom card limits for each employee.
However, if your goal is to squeeze as much rewards potential from your business spending, you might earn more through a credit card with tiered or revolving bonus categories that center on the areas where you typically spend the most. It also isn’t a practical option if you or your team needs a card for international use due to its high foreign transaction fees.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited summary
| CHASE INK BUSINESS UNLIMITED DETAILS | |
|---|---|
Annual fee
| $0
|
Rewards
| 1.5% cash back on purchases
|
APR
| 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 18.49% to 24.49% variable APR applies to purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies
|
Welcome bonus
| $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
|
Foreign transaction fee
| 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
|
Major perks and benefits
| Generous welcome bonus, unlimited cash-back earning, complimentary employee credit cards, travel and purchase coverage protections
|
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, applying for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card involves a hard credit check. The bank will review your business’ credit and financial information, as well as your personal credit.
Business customers who have a Chase Ink Business Unlimited card earn a flat 1.5% cash back on purchases.
Rewards points earned through Chase Ink Business Unlimited can be redeemed as an electronic cash-back deposit into a deposit account, a statement credit, travel, gift cards, and more.
For rates and fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card * The information for the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. please visit this .
All information about The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.
*The information for the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card, Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus and The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
