Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card Review: Excellent Benefits with No Annual Fee

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Overview

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card stands out as one of the top business cards without an annual fee, offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This cash back can be converted into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points when linked with an eligible card. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card Rating reflects the assessment of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card serves small businesses and closely resembles the widely-used Chase Freedom Unlimited®. With no annual fee, its straightforward rewards system proves to be more beneficial than it initially appears.

While other cards may offer 1.5% cash back or higher, the Ink Business Unlimited card enables you to earn cash back as Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These points can gain significantly in value if you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards card. This is because you can combine points from different Chase accounts and transfer them to various airline and hotel partners within the Ultimate Rewards program.

The Ink Business Unlimited is a business credit card specifically designed for small business owners. Not everyone may qualify for a business credit card, but you might find it easier to get approved than expected — especially if you have a "good to excellent" credit score of 670 or higher. Freelancers and sole proprietors can often be considered as businesses by Chase and other issuers.

Let’s explore the specifics.

Pros and Cons of the Ink Business Unlimited

Welcome Bonus for Ink Business Unlimited

At the moment, the welcome bonus for the Ink Business Unlimited is $900 cash back after you spend $6,000 within the first three months of opening your account. This is the best offer we've encountered for this card, so it's a great opportunity if you've been considering applying.

You can redeem your cash back at a value of 1 cent each for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked via Chase Travel℠.

However, you can significantly enhance your rewards by combining the Ink Business Unlimited with a card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, those 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points can be worth as much as $1,845.

That's an impressive reward from a card with no annual fee.

One TPG reader expressed excitement about how the Ink Business Unlimited has positively affected their business:

"No annual fee, substantial credit limit, fantastic sign-up bonus! The list of benefits goes on and on!" — Dean M via X

Note: Responses submitted by readers have not been edited, reviewed, or endorsed by the issuers and do not represent TPG's views on these cards.

Advantages of Ink Business Unlimited

You typically receive benefits that correspond to the fees you pay, so it’s expected that the Ink Business Unlimited lacks the extensive perks found in cards with higher annual fees. Its benefits align with those of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, but they fall short compared to the advantages provided by the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Notably, features like cellphone protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance are not included.

Here’s a brief overview of the included benefits:

• Purchase protection: This protects new purchases against damage or theft for up to 120 days, covering up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car for business with the Ink Business Unlimited, you can waive the rental company’s collision insurance, with coverage provided by the card up to the vehicle's cash value in case of theft or damage. This applies to most rentals in the U.S. and internationally, and coverage is primary, meaning it takes effect before your personal car insurance.
• Extended warranty: This extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty period by an extra year for eligible warranties of three years or less.
• Employee cards at no extra charge: If employees are permitted to use the account, they become authorized users and enjoy the same charging privileges unless you set individual spending limits.

Earning Rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited

The Ink Business Unlimited provides 1.5% cash back on every purchase through a simple rewards system that eliminates the hassle of tracking rotating or bonus categories. This simplicity is both a highlight and a limitation of the card.

For instance, using this card to purchase airfare means missing out on rewards of up to 5 points per dollar, which a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can offer when bookings are made via Chase Travel℠.

The same principle applies when purchasing office supplies or paying for internet services. The Ink Business Cash Credit Card provides 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in total purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, cellphone, and landline services each account anniversary year (1% thereafter). Additionally, it earns 2% back on the first $25,000 spent on gas and dining each account year.

Be cautious when judging this card solely based on its cash-back benefits. The unlimited cash-back feature of this card may not yield the highest returns among cash-back business credit cards, especially if you choose to redeem for cash.

Redeeming Rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited

You have several primary options for redeeming your rewards: cash back, gift cards, travel, or products and services available through Chase's rewards program.

When redeeming for cash, you can opt for a statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible U.S. checking or savings account. Points redeemed for cash, gift cards, or travel are valued at 1 cent each.

Transferring Rewards from the Ink Business Unlimited

You can enhance your redemption rate to an effective return exceeding 3% (according to TPG's September 2024 valuations) on all expenditures if you transfer your points to a comprehensive Ultimate Rewards personal or business card, such as:

• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve

To qualify for a transfer, the other card must be registered in your name, either as the business owner or as a member of your household.

The Ink Business Unlimited offers exceptional value when used alongside any of these other cards. By transferring points to an account that accumulates Ultimate Rewards, you can exchange them for valuable airline and hotel partners or book travel directly via Chase Travel℠, receiving a consistent value for your points (1.5 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, or 1.25 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred).

Depending on the transfer partner you choose, you could realize a value of over 2 cents per point. For instance, transferring 97,000 points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer can allow you to book a one-way, first-class flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), typically valued at $5,000 or more, yielding nearly 6 cents per point.

Which cards rival the Ink Business Unlimited?

The Ink Business Unlimited faces competition from cards that provide a similar return on every purchase. Fixed-rate business credit cards include:

• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on all purchases. The initial annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $95 thereafter (see rates and fees). For more details, check our review of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
• Capital One Spark Cash Select : Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card has no annual fee (see rates and fees). For further information, refer to our review of the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 points per dollar on all qualifying business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter). This card has no annual fee (see rates and fees). For additional insights, read our review of the Amex Blue Business Plus.

Is the Ink Business Unlimited a worthwhile choice?

The Ink Business Unlimited can be an excellent choice for everyday expenses, especially when combined with the right card. Additionally, holding a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve can significantly enhance your business credit card rewards. However, be mindful of the limitations imposed by the Chase 5/24 rule.

Conclusion

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited can be instrumental in maximizing your rewards from business expenditures.

A key benefit of applying for Chase business credit cards is that they do not contribute to your Chase 5/24 count once approved, even though the application process itself is subject to this rule. Therefore, if you meet the criteria for business credit cards, it’s a wise move to apply for a Chase business card, like the Ink Business Unlimited, before seeking personal credit cards from Chase or other institutions, as those will count toward your 5/24 limit.

This card provides an excellent return on everyday purchases, especially if you also hold another card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can amplify your rewards even further.