Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash: A Showdown of Cash-Back Business Cards

With a wide range of business credit cards available, choosing the right one can be challenging. For Chase customers or anyone interested in a Chase credit card, there are four options under the Ink Business name.

If you're in the market for a business credit card, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card present two attractive choices.

Both cards are excellent options, and depending on your spending habits, one may offer more advantages than the other. Let’s dive into the differences between these cards to find out which is the better fit for you.

Comparing Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash

Welcome Offers for Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

With the Ink Business Unlimited, you can earn $900 in cash back by spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.

The Ink Business Cash features a tiered welcome bonus, offering $350 cash back after you spend $3,000 within the first three months, followed by an additional $400 cash back after reaching $6,000 in spending within the first six months of account opening.

New cardholders can also earn an extra 10% cash back on their first card anniversary if they hold a Chase Business Checking account. This bonus offer is exclusive to those who opened an Ink Business Cash card between March and November 2024.

When applying for either card, you'll need to consider Chase's 5/24 rule, but since these are business cards, they won't count toward your 5/24 limit.

Winner: Ink Business Cash. The opportunity to earn an extra 10% cash back enhances its appeal.

Benefits of Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

Neither the Ink Business Unlimited nor the Ink Business Cash offers statement credits or travel benefits, which is typical for cards that do not charge an annual fee.

Both cards provide identical benefits regarding purchase and car rental protection. With either card, you'll enjoy the following:

• Purchase protection: If an eligible item is damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase, you are protected up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per account).
• Primary car rental insurance: When you pay for the entire rental with either card and use it for business travel, you're covered for theft and damage in the U.S. and many countries worldwide. Note that this does not include liability coverage, but you are insured up to the actual cash value of the rental vehicle.
• Extended warranty protection: Items covered by a U.S. manufacturer's warranty of three years or less receive an additional year of coverage. This can be particularly beneficial if an item malfunctions soon after its warranty period ends.

Aside from these benefits, neither card offers any notable additional features, so if you're looking to use this card for travel purchases, consider the cards you already have in your wallet.

Winner: Tie. Both cards provide the same benefits.

Earning Cash Back: Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

The Ink Business Unlimited features a straightforward earning structure, providing 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on Lyft rides until March 2025.

This card is ideal for businesses that make purchases across diverse categories, offering an additional 0.5% cash back compared to other cards, which typically provide 1% cash back on non-bonus category purchases.

In contrast, the Ink Business Cash offers 5% cash back at office supply stores and for internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year); 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

As a new cardholder of the Ink Business Cash, you'll earn an extra 10% cash back on your first card anniversary if you maintain a Chase Business Checking account.

This earning rate is beneficial for the first year; however, since it applies only to business account holders, consider opening a business checking account before applying for the card. Remember, this offer is valid only if your Ink Business Cash is opened between March and November 2024.

If your business incurs significant expenses in the bonus categories offered by the Ink Business Cash, applying for this card is a clear choice. However, if your business spending varies each month or spans multiple categories, the Ink Business Unlimited may be a better fit for you.

Winner: Ink Business Cash. Its bonus categories and the opportunity to earn an additional 10% cash back on your first card anniversary give it the edge here.

Redeeming Cash Back: Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

Both cards allow you to earn cash back, which can be redeemed via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for cash back or other rewards, including statement credits, gift cards, and travel through Chase Travel℠.

There is a more rewarding way to redeem cash back, which we will explore below.

Winner: Tie. Both cards provide the same redemption options.

Transferring Rewards: Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

If you also hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can transfer rewards earned from the Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash to that card.

From there, you can utilize Chase's 14 transfer partners to redeem your rewards for award flights or hotel accommodations.

As an Ink Business Cash cardholder, I transfer my rewards to my Sapphire Reserve, which then enables me to send them to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

Recently, I needed to add points to my Sapphire Reserve account before transferring to Aeroplan, and the process was seamless. I logged into my account and transferred the rewards, which happened instantly.

Should I choose the Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash?

If your business incurs expenses that fall within the bonus categories and spending limits of the Ink Business Cash, it’s a straightforward choice to maximize your rewards. Conversely, if your purchases span various categories and you prefer to avoid spending limits on bonus categories, then the Ink Business Unlimited with its 1.5% cash-back rate may be more suitable.

How to transition from the Ink Business Unlimited to the Ink Business Cash

It is possible to switch between the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash. To change products, simply call the customer service number located on the back of your card and talk to a representative.

Alternatively, you can open both cards, allowing your business to take advantage of the Ink Business Cash's bonus categories for certain purchases while earning a consistent 1.5% cash back on all other expenses with the Ink Business Unlimited. Keep in mind that switching from one card to another will forfeit that card's welcome offer, so I suggest applying for both cards instead.

Conclusion

Navigating Chase's Ink Business card offerings can be tricky, but both the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash are cash-back options for business owners. Although cash back may seem limiting, the rewards earned can be easily transferred for travel through Chase's partners if you also have an Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card.

If your business can take advantage of the bonus categories, the Ink Business Cash is the optimal choice. Otherwise, opt for the Ink Business Unlimited to benefit from its flat 1.5% cash-back rate.

For more details, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash.