As a writer and content creator, I pay several business expenses each month. While my list of expenses may not be as long as some small businesses, it’s enough to justify having a credit card that rewards my business spending.
Over the years, I’ve used various business credit cards to earn rewards and access travel benefits or business-related perks. Recently, I switched to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. The card’s straightforward cash-back rewards structure and other benefits make it the ideal fit for my current lifestyle and business needs.
Limited Time Offer: Earn $900 Bonus Cash Back
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
1.5% Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business
Welcome Bonus
Earn $900 bonus cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.99% - 23.99% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
How I Earn Cash Back With Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Earlier this year, I decided to look for a business credit card that was a better match for my spending habits than the card I was currently using. Here are some details about how my business works:
- I primarily write and create content from my home office or when traveling.
- I don’t have employees, so most of my business expenses are related to products and services I use personally.
- My monthly business spending includes several recurring charges, mostly for various apps, software, podcasting editing and other services. Occasionally, it includes larger purchases, like computer or camera equipment.
With varied spending each month, I wanted a card that earned flat-rate rewards across the board. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns 1.5% cash back rewards on every business purchase. That means I earn the same rewards every time I use my card, whether it’s for invoicing and accounting software, dining out or travel expenses while attending conferences and other events. While there are other cards with higher earning rates in specific categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card simplifies rewards tracking.
In addition to the flat rate of 1.5% cash back, cardholders earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025. I frequently use rideshare services when traveling, so the elevated bonus comes in handy.
The card comes with a sizable bonus offer for eligible new cardholders— earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Thanks to some timely, larger purchases, I was able to meet the offer requirements to earn the large bonus even with limited monthly business spending.
When I Use My Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card features a decent intro APR offer. Cardholders get 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 17.99% - 23.99% variable APR applies for purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. I took advantage of this offer when I first received my card to purchase a new laptop and external hard drives. While I had the cash to pay for these purchases, utilizing the intro APR offer provided more flexibility and helped me preserve cash flow for other needs.
Early on, I used my Chase Ink Business Unlimited card for all of my business purchases. This helped me reach the spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus, and after earning the bonus, I continued to use the card for everyday purchases.
I still use my other business cards when they earn a significantly higher rate for specific purchases. Also, I don’t use the Chase Ink Business Unlimited when I travel outside the U.S. since the card has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
I’m in a groove with my business expenses and don’t anticipate making any significant changes to my spending habits. So I plan to continue using my Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card for the foreseeable future.
My Favorite Chase Ink Business Unlimited Features and Perks
Some credit cards charge an annual fee for access to the card’s rewards and benefits. I have several cards with annual fees, but I didn’t want to pay a fee with my next business card.
No annual fee business cards like Chase Ink Business Unlimited offer value without an added cost to consider. Without the extra expense, it’s easier to justify keeping the card long-term.
As a business card with no yearly cost, the Ink Business Unlimited doesn’t come packed with luxury perks. Still, it offers plenty of benefits for small business owners like myself. Here are some of my favorite features of the card.
Travel Protections
I travel often for work. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited comes with several valuable travel protections, including a primary auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance services, and roadside dispatch. I hope never to need them, but it’s good to know that I’m covered in an emergency. Note that for the travel and emergency assistance services and the roadside dispatch, cardholders are responsible for paying the costs of any goods or services obtained.
Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty
My business purchases are also covered when I use my Chase Ink Business Unlimited card. The card’s purchase protection covers eligible new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per account).
As a cardholder, I also receive an additional year of warranty protection on card purchases with an eligible U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less.
Business Benefits
Like many of the other best business credit cards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited comes with some business-specific perks. If you have employees, you can request cards for them at no cost and set individual spending limits. Providing employees with a card can help you take advantage of additional company spending and earn more rewards.
Ink Business Unlimited cardholders have 24/7 access to their account online and via Chase’s mobile app. You can view quarterly reports and up to 24 months of card statements at any time. Also, you can link your credit card to most bookkeeping software for easy expense tracking.
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Maximizing Rewards With Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Since Chase Ink Business Unlimited earns a flat rate on all purchases, the simplest way to maximize rewards potential is to use it for all or most of your business purchases.
The card offers several redemption options. For cash back, you can redeem rewards for a statement credit or direct deposits to a linked checking or savings account. Other options include gift cards, Apple purchases and travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
You can expand your redemption options by pairing your Chase Ink Business Unlimited card with a premium Ultimate Rewards® points-earning card, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. By pairing eligible Chase cards, you gain the full range of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, including the ability to transfer your points to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners. Combining credit cards also gives you access to additional bonus spending categories for more rewards potential.
Alternatives to The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card
I love my Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, but it’s not the only business card I have nor is it the only one worth having. Your business spending and needs may differ from mine. If that’s the case, here are some other business credit cards that may be a better fit for you.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is similar to the Ink Business Unlimited. It has no annual fee, an intro APR offer, complimentary employee cards and identical travel and purchase protection benefits.
Where Ink Business Cash differs is its reward structure. Instead of a flat rate, the card earns 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 and 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Ink Business Cash card may be a better fit if the majority of your business expenses fall under the card’s bonus categories and your annual spending typically falls within the bonus limits.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Another card in the Ink family is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. The card has a $95 annual fee, but it also comes with entry to Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus, points earned with the card are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Ink Business Preferred doesn’t come with an intro APR but it does offer additional benefits such as trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
If you prefer Amex to Chase, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees) is worth a look. The no annual fee card is best for small businesses with expenses under $50,000 annually. Amex Blue Business Cash also earns flat-rate cash back but at a higher rate of 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
The Amex Blue Business Cash Card features other benefits too, such as an intro APR, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance¹, and complimentary employee cards. You can also qualify for expanded buying power beyond your credit limit for more flexibility*.
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To view rates and fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please visit this page.
¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.