Full Review
For entrepreneurs who would rather worry about their business than their credit card rewards program, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
from Chase keeps it simple. The card has an annual fee of $0
, offers an unlimited 1.5
% cash back on all purchases and has a long intro APR period. A hefty sign-up bonus doesn’t hurt, either: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
But business owners aiming to squeeze the most juice out of their business card might find even greater rewards from a different option in the Chase business credit card lineup. The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is best for small-business owners who:Want to earn a big sign-up bonus.
Are planning for a big purchase and want a 0% APR intro period.
Prefer a flat cash-back rate to managing bonus categories.
Don’t want to pay an annual fee.
You might prefer the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
instead if: Your business expenses are relatively low, but concentrated on office supplies or internet, cable and phone services. That card earns up to 5% back in those categories on up to $25,000 spent. Its 2% cash back on restaurants and gas stations (again, up to $25,000 spent) also tops the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
’s flat 1.5
% rate. Read our review ofthe Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. You might prefer the Chase Ink Business Preferred
instead if: You’re a frequent business traveler. That card earns up to 3 points per dollar on travel purchases. It also boasts an even bigger welcome offer than the Unlimited: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Key features of the
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards: Unlimited 1.5%
cash back on all purchases. APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
Foreign transaction fees: 3
%. Why you might want the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
No cap on cash-back rewards
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is true to its name, delivering 1.5%
cash back with no caps or restrictions. While other cards deliver higher rewards — anywhere from 2% to 5% — almost all limit how much you can earn, either with annual spending caps or the use of bonus categories. Rewards come in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, worth 1 cent each when redeemed as cash back. You can get that cash back in the form of a statement credit or a direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Points can also be redeemed for: Gift cards (1 cent per point).
Travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (1 cent per point).
Amazon purchases (0.8 cents per point).
It’s also possible to move your rewards to other Chase accounts that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, potentially getting more value for travel.
Easy-to-understand rewards
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
doesn’t require you to remember any spending categories — you’ll just get a flat rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent. That may make this card a good choice for solopreneurs and owners of very small businesses who are juggling lots of competing priorities. Even freelancers, gig workers and side hustlers can apply for a business credit card; you don't need to be incorporated or have a formal business structure, like an LLC or partnership.
Big welcome offer, long intro APR period
If your business has a large purchase on the horizon, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
delivers a double-whammy of benefits. First, you can get a massive welcome offer for your spending: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Then, you can pay off that balance without accruing interest — this card offers 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
. Those are great perks for a business credit card, especially one with an annual fee of $0
. Why you might want a different card
You spend lots in specific categories, like gas or office supplies
A cash-back rewards rate of 1.5%
on everything is simple, to be sure. But if you have higher spending in certain categories, such as travel or office supplies, you might be better off with a cash-back business credit card that offers a higher rewards rate on those spending categories. For example, elsewhere in the Chase lineup is the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
, which offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on Internet, cable and phone services each year. Plus, it earns 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants annually, in addition to an unlimited 1
% cash back on all other card purchases. It also has an annual fee of $0
. You often travel abroad
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
charges a foreign transaction fee of 3
%, which will hurt if you travel abroad or buy inventory from overseas vendors. The Capital One Spark Cash Select
has no foreign transaction fee and delivers the same unlimited 1.5
% rewards as the Ink Business Unlimited (see rates and fees). But frequent international travelers might prefer a business travel rewards card, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
. It earns up to 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases and has no foreign transaction fees, but does charge a $95
annual fee. You want an even higher rewards rate
There are even higher cash-back rewards rates out there — though they may come with limits. The American Express® Blue Business Cash Card
, for example, earns 2% back on the first $50,000 in spending per year, then the rate falls to 1%. And while you can earn unlimited 2% cash back with the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
or Capital One Spark Cash Plus
, both cards are charge cards and have an annual fee. (See rates and fees.) Should I get the
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
?The simplicity of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
could be a fit for entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with cumbersome bonus category terms. And its generous sign-up bonus and introductory 0% APR period on purchases are a boon for those planning to make a major purchase and pay it down over time. To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page.