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Ink Business Cash® Credit Card review: The perfect business card to start small

This card is an ideal choice for start-ups and small businesses with less-than-predictable expenses and incomes.

 /  9 min
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Snapshot

4.6

Bankrate rating
Info
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

Bottom line

Unlike the other Chase business cards, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card focuses on businesses that need internet and telecommunication services but don’t have annual budgets going over $50,000. If your spending habits line up with the Chase Ink Business Cash card’s bonus categories, it could be a very rewarding and flexible business rewards card.

Image of Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Apply now Lock
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Best business card with no annual fee

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Rewards rate

1% - 5%
Info

Annual fee

Intro offer

Info

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card overview

If your small business spends a fair amount on office supplies and telecommunications services, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card is probably a great fit for you. Although the card’s maximum cash back rate only applies to the first $25,000 spent in bonus categories, Chase offers categories that are consistent with the majority of most businesses’ expenditures.

With features like an intro APR offer on purchases and no annual fee, it’s clear that this Chase business credit card can offer a respite for businesses with irregular cash flows.

  • Credit Card Cash Back

    Rewards

    • 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services per year  
    • 2 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year
    • 1 percent on all other purchases
    • Rewards value: 2 cents per point  
    Expert Appraisal: Typical  
    See our expert analysis  
  • Rewards

    Welcome offer

    • $750 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months 
    Expert Appraisal: Good 
    See our expert analysis  
  • Credit Card Apr

    0% APR offer

    • Purchase intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 12 months
    • Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
    • Regular APR: 17.99 percent to 23.99 percent (variable)
    Expert Appraisal: Good 
    See our expert analysis 
  • Credit Card Search

    Rates and fees

    • Annual fee: $0 
      $40 late payment  
      3% foreign transaction fee 
    Expert Appraisal: Typical 
    See our expert analysis 
  • Congrats
    Other cardholder perks
    • Other cardholder perks  
    • Free employee cards  
    • Car rental coverage 
    • Extended purchase warranty 
    • Theft/damage purchase protection 

    Expert Appraisal: Good 
    See our expert analysis

Ink Business Cash pros and cons

Pros

  • Checkmark

    Introductory APR offer on purchases can help small businesses get off the ground quicker and improve cash flow

  • Checkmark

    No annual fee makes this a fantastic choice for small business owners wanting a low-cost business rewards card

  • Checkmark

    Flexible redemption options with Chase Ultimate Rewards are a unique feature when compared to other small-business credit cards

Cons

  • Total boosted rewards are capped at $50,000 per year, which businesses with larger budgets may exceed

  • The 3 percent foreign transaction fee may eat into some of your cash back earnings

  • Boosted rewards rate categories may not appeal to small or remote-based businesses

Why you might want the Ink Business Cash card

The Ink Business Cash can be a great option for businesses that require a central point of operation, whether it’s a warehouse for inventory, offices, or in-house manufacturing. This card provides great perks that can help reach that goal with a solid welcome offer, no annual fee and useful perks for employees.

Welcome offer: Holds up against the competition

The Ink Business Cash currently offers $750 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months. While this is a drop from the card’s last sign-up bonus ($900, its highest to date), it still holds up well when compared to other small business credit cards.

A bonus of this size on a card with no annual fee is nothing to balk at, so if you’ve been waiting for the right time to apply, now might be the time. You could even meet the spending requirement relatively easily if you plan your card application around a large purchase.

Intro APR: A pretty good offer on new purchases 

Particularly useful for startups with unpredictable cash flows, the 0 percent intro APR on new purchases for 12 months (17.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable APR thereafter) can offer a necessary reprieve during a time when your business may be spending more than earning. 

This perk is widely available on many cards and can temporarily save you from interest charges. Also, the ongoing variable rate can be below the current average interest rate for people with exceptional credit. As a variable rate however, the rate you apply for will vary based on your credit score. 

But don’t keep this benefit in the back of your mind for long because when your first account anniversary comes around, you’ll owe your full balance if you want to avoid interest charges. 

Perks: Free employee cards and extra protections 

To give you and your employees a convenient, fast way of accessing business funds, you can request employee cards at no additional cost. For extra security, the account holder can set individual spending limits on employee cards, and you can subscribe to account alerts to monitor spending. You’ll also earn rewards for all the spending that your employees do with these additional cards. 

Other useful benefits include purchase protection for up to 120 days against damage or theft (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account) and a 12-month extended warranty when you make an eligible purchase with your card. The extended warranty only applies to qualifying warranties of up to three years.

Why you might not want the Ink Business Cash card

While the Ink Business Cash can be useful to businesses in their early days, it has a few drawbacks. This card may be a great choice for office-based businesses, but it might be a poor fit for another type of business. For larger businesses, the spending caps can be too limiting, and the foreign transaction fees can make the card more harmful than helpful when used overseas. 

Rewards: Valuable, but selective

While this card has a lot of potential cash back earnings, it depends on you maximizing the spending categories and not exceeding the spending cap. If you have an office-based business, then the office supply, internet, cable and phone services categories are lucrative and make this card a top choice. However, remote startups and work-from-home freelancers may not get the full value from these bonus categories. For small-business owners with varying budgets or irregular expenses, it may be tough to utilize this card fully. 

Travel: Decent but thin travel benefits

The card also includes a 3 percent foreign transaction fee on all purchases overseas, which could cut into your rewards if you purchase from international merchants or travel out of the country frequently for work. The foreign transaction fee could eclipse some of your boosted cash back earnings rates, which is not ideal.

Plus, the only major travel perk the card includes is car rental coverage, which covers up to the cash value of the vehicle in case of theft or collision in qualifying locations. While useful, it’s a common perk. Overall, this card may not be worth packing for a business trip abroad.

How the Ink Business Cash Credit Card compares to other small-business cards

When choosing among Chase’s Ink Business cards, the best option for you will depend on where you spend the most money for your business. While the Ink Business Cash card makes sense if you spend heavily on office supplies, internet, cable and phone services, it may not cater to all your needs. If this card does meet your rewards category needs, maybe the spending limit will hinder your cash back potential. In this case, you should consider a cash back card with unlimited rewards or higher spending limit.

Image of Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Bankrate Score
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

$750
Info

Rewards rate

1% - 5%
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Bankrate Score
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

$750
Info

Rewards rate

1.5%
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Bankrate Score
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site

Annual fee

$95

Intro offer

100,000 points
Info

Rewards rate

1X - 3X
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info

Best cards to pair the Ink Business Cash Credit Card with

If you spend a lot on travel, then it makes sense to pair this card with a travel credit card. This way, you can take advantage of a category the Ink Business Cash excludes. You can also choose a business card that has more travel-focused benefits, should you travel often for work. 

Who is the Ink Business Cash right for?

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Ink Business Cash Credit Card worth it?

It’s clear the Ink Business Cash Credit Card is best suited for small businesses with significant office supplies and telecom service expenses. It comes with a huge welcome bonus, and the introductory APR period will be handy for those with irregular cash flows or who need to pay off large purchases while establishing their business.

However, businesses that spend more outside this card’s categories may question whether the Ink Business Cash Card is worth it compared to a flat-rate cash back card.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
India Davis
Editor, Credit Cards

India Davis is an editor specializing in credit cards and updates. She believes in putting the reader first and carrying out a brand’s voice to its fullest potential. She has lived and worked in three different countries and hopes to explore more of the world post-pandemic.

Edited by Senior Editor, Credit Cards
Reviewed by Editor, Credit Cards

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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.