The welcome bonus on this card has been updated to 100,000 points, with $8,000 in spending required over four months, which is still fairly easy to meet. For a no-annual-fee card, a 100,000-point sign-up bonus (worth around $1,500) is very rare. If you’re eligible, I strongly recommend applying. This card and INK Unlimited are both business cards. If you spend more in office-supply or other bonus categories, Ink Cash is the better choice; otherwise, go with Unlimited.

I’ve also added this card to the business credit card sign-up bonus rankings.

Chase Ink Cash Credit Card Overview

「Note」If this is your first time applying for a business credit card, please first read “Business Credit Card Introduction”

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Full review

Chase Ink Cash Business Credit Card

5x at office supply stores, internet, cell phone, landline, and cable TV; no annual fee!

  • Welcome bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards (UR) (spend $8,000 in 4 months)
  • Rewards: 5x at office supply stores and on internet, cell phone, landline, and cable TV bills (on up to the first $25k in purchases); 2x at gas stations and restaurants (on up to the first $25k in purchases); 1x on all other purchases
  • Redemption: Redeem for cash back at 100 UR = $1; if you also hold a premium card, points can be transferred 1:1 to airline miles or hotel points, or redeemed toward travel at 1:1.25/1.5; point value: 1.6 cent/point
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Apply now>>

Highlights

  • 5x points, fast earning: Office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot sell lots of third-party gift cards, so you can buy gift cards there to earn 5x, then spend them at the relevant merchants. If you’re the family-plan holder for a mobile plan, using this card to pay the bill every month can rack up a lot of UR points over a year.
  • Shopping portal (UR Mall): Chase’s own shopping portal also offers cash back at merchants including Walmart, sears, Staples, apple store, and more, which is another good way to earn points quickly. At some merchants, this card’s portal rates are better than other Chase UR cards.

Drawbacks

Points System Overview

  • Point value: The average value is 1.6c/p, so 100 UR = $1.6 (Point Values and Analysis)
  • Direct redemption: Cash redemptions are worth 1c; travel redemptions are worth 1c (without a premium card). Premium hotel redemptions or business/first class flights can yield 1.75c (with Ink Preferred or Sapphire Preferred), and 2c with the Sapphire Reserve.
  • Point transfers: Transfer 1:1 to United miles (good for China–US economy, domestic US economy, and one-way tickets); transfer 1:1 to British Airways miles (good for China–Japan and short-distance domestic US redemptions); transfer 1:1 to Hyatt points (great for Hyatt hotel stays, with value up to 1.8 cents per point).
  • Point features: Ultimate Rewards points can be freely moved among your own cards. They can also be transferred to one designated spouse or partner. To transfer points to airline miles or hotel points, you need support from Ink Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve. You can also transfer to the mileage or points account of an authorized user.
  • My take: UR’s main airline transfer partners are United Airlines, British Airways, Aeroplan, and Air France. UA can book most Star Alliance award tickets, while BA covers some domestic US AA flights. On the hotel side, Hyatt is the best option and can often deliver about 1.6c in value per point, but Hyatt has a relatively small footprint in the US, so your choices may be limited. If you have the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, booking flights, hotels, and activities through Chase Travel can get you 1.25c/1.5c in value, which is one of the best high-value options for beginners. Cash/gift card redemptions are worth 1 cent.
  • Detailed analysis: Ultimate Rewards Guide >>

My Take

If you already have one of Ink Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve to transfer points, I think this is a card worth holding long term. Earning 5x points at office supply stores is great, and many merchants that sell gift cards online are classified as office supply stores, such as PayPal Digital Gift, CardCash, GYFT, and others. 2x points is actually pretty good too, and dining and gas purchases are very practical everyday spending.

How to Apply:

  • If your application isn’t approved right away, be fully prepared before a manual review (reconsideration). If you don’t have a real business, it’s best not to call; just wait for an update.
  • For the business credit card application process, please see Business Credit Card Application Steps
  • Application difficulty: I recommend applying if you have more than a year of credit history; having a Chase business checking account is even better

Chase Credit Card Application Guide

  • Chase application status check link (login required). Or call: 888-338-2586
  • The 5/24 rule: if you have opened more than 5 new cards in the past 2 years (including cards from other banks), you will not be approved for a new Chase card
  • You can be approved for at most two Chase credit cards within every 30 days
  • If you have received the welcome bonus on this card within the past 24 months (48 months for the Sapphire family), your application will be automatically denied
  • You can call the reconsideration line (800-453-9719) to expedite card approval or request a review of a denied application.
  • Having a Chase Checking account can help with getting approved for a credit card
  • More on applying for Chase credit cards

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