The Ink Business Cash Card
A No-Fee Cash Back Contender for Savvy Entrepreneurs
In an era where small business owners juggle razor-thin margins and endless administrative hurdles, the right credit card can feel like a secret weapon. Enter the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, a no-annual-fee powerhouse that rewards strategic spending in everyday business essentials—provided you're willing to play the points game like a pro. Long overlooked amid flashier travel rewards options, this card's Ultimate Rewards ecosystem offers outsized value for those who optimize it, but it demands effort that casual users might find daunting.
The Ink Business Cash shines for small business owners who can maximize its 5% cash back categories on office supplies, internet, cable, and cell phone services (up to a combined $25,000 annual cap), alongside 2% on dining and gas (another $25,000 cap). With a $900 sign-up bonus and the ability to convert earnings into transferable Ultimate Rewards points for premium redemptions, it can deliver effective returns exceeding 10% in key areas when paired with a Chase Sapphire card. However, foreign transaction fees and the need for category optimization make it less ideal for international spenders or those seeking simplicity. For disciplined users, it's a gateway to elite rewards; for others, flat-rate competitors like the American Express Blue Business Cash may suffice.
Card Overview
The Ink Business Cash is designed for sole proprietors and small teams, earning flexible Ultimate Rewards points disguised as cash back. While it lacks the glamour of airline perks, its structure allows points to be pooled with other Chase cards for enhanced value, turning a straightforward cash card into a high-yield engine.
Key Card Features
- Sign-Up Bonus (and Limited-Time Offers if Applicable): Currently offering a $900 cash back bonus (90,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $6,000 in the first three months. This deal is active without an explicit end date, but issuers can alter terms anytime; apply soon if interested.
- Annual Fee: $0, making it accessible for budget-conscious businesses.
- Has Foreign Transaction Fee?: Yes, a 3% fee applies, which could erode value for global operations—stick to domestic spending or pair with a no-fee alternative for overseas use.
- Has Access to a Travel Portal for Redemption?: Yes, points redeem through the Chase Travel portal at 1 cent per point for cash back or travel bookings. Pairing with a premium card boosts this to 1.25 cents (Sapphire Preferred) or 1.5 cents (Sapphire Reserve).
- Has Access to Transfer Partners for Better Value on Points Redemption?: Not directly, but points can be transferred to another Ultimate Rewards-earning Chase card (like the Ink Business Preferred) to unlock 1:1 transfers to 14 airline and hotel partners, potentially yielding 2.05 cents per point or more through strategic bookings.
Spending Categories
Earning rates focus on business staples, with caps to prevent unlimited exploitation:
- 5% cash back (5x points) on the first $25,000 spent annually in combined purchases at internet, cable, and phone service providers, plus office supply stores.
- 2% cash back (2x points) on the first $25,000 spent annually in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations.
- 1% cash back (1x points) on all other purchases.
These categories align well with small office needs—think Staples runs or monthly Verizon bills—but the shared caps mean high-volume spenders in one area (e.g., heavy office supplies) could hit limits early.
Effective Earnings
Valuing Ultimate Rewards points at The Points Guy's benchmark of 2.05 cents per point for travel redemptions (achievable via transfers with a paired premium card), the Ink Business Cash's effective returns soar for optimized users:
- 5x categories (office supplies, internet/cable/phone): Up to 10.25% effective return before the $25,000 cap.
- 2x categories (dining/gas): Up to 4.1% effective return before the $25,000 cap.
- 1x everywhere else: 2.05% effective return.
At face value (1 cent per point for cash back), earnings drop to 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively—solid but unremarkable. The key unlock: Transfer points to a Sapphire or Ink Preferred card to hit those elevated valuations, potentially doubling or tripling baseline returns.
Card Benefits
Beyond earnings, perks keep costs low and protections high:
- Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Covers damage or theft on rentals paid with the card—rare for a no-fee business card and a boon for road warriors.
- Free authorized user cards for employees, with spending limits customizable per user.
- Standard purchase protection (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account for damage/theft within 120 days; 90 days for New York residents) and extended warranty (adds one year to eligible warranties of three years or less).
- No preset spending limit, based on creditworthiness and payment history—ideal for fluctuating business expenses.
No standout travel credits or lounge access, but the zero-fee structure amplifies everyday utility.
Expert Tip: For streaming services, Netflix codes as "internet/cable" for 5x earnings, per user reports. YouTube TV doesn't qualify directly, but purchase Google Play gift cards at office supply stores (5x) to fund it—a clever workaround for cord-cutters.
Expert Tip: Maximize the 5x office supply category by buying Visa/Mastercard gift cards at stores like Staples or Office Depot. These can be used anywhere for effective 5% back on non-bonused spend (e.g., Amazon or groceries). Businesses routinely buy gift cards for clients or incentives, so this isn't unusual—Chase permits it, but monitor for policy shifts.
Application Rules
Chase's infamous approval hurdles apply, though data points vary—take these with a grain of salt and share your experiences for community insights:
- 5/24 Rule: Denied if five or more new personal cards (from any issuer) appear on your credit report in the past 24 months.
- Chase 2/30 Rule: No more than two approvals from Chase (personal or business) in a 30-day window.
- Chase 5/6 Rule: Limited to five Chase cards total (personal/business) approved in the last six months; business cards don't report to personal credit, preserving 5/24 slots.
Sole proprietors can apply using an EIN or SSN; expect a hard pull on personal credit.
Points System(s)
The Ink Business Cash earns Ultimate Rewards points, Chase's versatile currency redeemable flexibly but best leveraged ecosystem-wide.
- Travel Point Value: 2.05 cents per point via transfers; 1 cent through the portal standalone, up to 1.5 cents with Sapphire Reserve.
- Cash Value: 1 cent per point as statement credit or check.
- Gift Card Value: Up to 1 cent per point, with occasional portal promotions.
Points pool instantly across linked Chase accounts. Transfer to a spouse (one-time phone setup required; then online) for household optimization—friends ineligible.
Transfer Partners
Unlock via a premium card (e.g., Sapphire Preferred): 1:1 ratios to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Iberia Plus, IHG One Rewards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Marriott Bonvoy, Southwest Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt.
Related Cards in the Same Points System
- Chase Freedom Flex/Unlimited/Rise: No-fee personal cards; Flex adds rotating quarterly bonuses.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve: $95/$550 fees; enable transfers and portal boosts.
- Ink Business Preferred/Unlimited: Business siblings; Preferred ($95 fee) unlocks transfers directly, earning 3x on travel/advertising ($150,000 cap).
Card Comparisons
Against flat-rate rivals, the Ink Cash demands strategy but rewards it handsomely. Using a sample small-business spend profile ($50,000 annual: $9,000 office supplies, $6,000 Amazon, $7,000 electronics, $4,000 Costco, $3,000 dining, $25,000 misc.), baseline net rewards (at 1 cpp) yield ~$792—trailing the American Express Blue Business Cash Card (2% unlimited up to $50,000, then 1%; $950 rewards, $0 fee) and Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Rewards Card (2% unlimited; similar ~$950, $0 fee).
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Earnings | Sample Rewards (1 cpp) | Transferable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash | $0 | 5x select ($25k cap), 2x dining/gas ($25k cap), 1x else | $792 (baseline); up to $1,584+ with transfers/gift card optimization | Yes (via pooling) |
| Amex Blue Business Cash | $0 | 2% up to $50k, 1% after | $950 | No (cash only) |
| Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash | $0 | 2% unlimited | $1,000 | Yes (to Wells partners, ~1.5-2 cpp potential) |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | $150 (waived if $150k spend) | 2% unlimited | $1,000; $150 fee drags net to $850 | No (cash only) |
Gift card manufacturing (shifting $15,000+ to office supplies) flips the Ink to ~$1,584 baseline, or $3,250+ effective with transfers—outpacing all. Without it, simplicity wins with Amex or Wells.
Final Thoughts
The Ink Business Cash isn't for the faint-hearted; its caps and optimization needs suit pros who treat points like a business expense. For Uber drivers or gig workers, gift card runs might feel gimmicky, but for office managers stocking up legitimately, it's a no-brainer. Pair it with an Ink Business Preferred for transfer magic, and you're extracting pro-level value from "expert mode." If simplicity calls, pivot to a 2% flat card. Bottom line: In a crowded field, this one's a sleeper hit—for those willing to hustle. What's your take? Share in the comments.