| Last updated on September 6th, 2024
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- 17.74% to 23.74% Variable Regular Purchase APR
- 17.74% to 23.74% Variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.49% Variable Cash Advance APR
- 0% for the first 12 months from the date of account opening Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
Whether your small business is in its early stages or already an established international name, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card from Chase is a worthwhile option for taking care of expenses – both expected and unexpected.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 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
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for the first 12 months from the date of account opening
- Regular Purchase APR: 17.74% to 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 17.74% to 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.49% Variable
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- You own a small business
- You make frequent purchases across multiple categories
- You want to earn cash back from your business expenses
- You manage employees who will use their own issued cards
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Review
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card captures the magic of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card by providing businesses with the tools and unlimited cash back they crave, all in one package.
Who Is the Ink Business Unlimited for?
Put simply, the Ink Unlimited is perfect for those who love simplicity. The Ink Unlimited Card differs from Chase’s other Ink business credit cards because it offers unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases. If you buy toner, tacos, or even a trip to Tahiti, you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent. That streamlined spending makes the Ink Unlimited ideal for companies that love rewards but hate confusing categories.
How to Apply for Chase Ink Business Cards
What Credit Score Does Chase Require for Ink Cards?
Chase SMB credit cards are popular for companies whose owners have good or excellent credit scores. That’s because Chase uses the applicant’s personal credit report when considering an application, so ensuring your FICO Score is “good” (above a score of 670) is critical before applying.
Application Requirements
Chase’s business card application process is similar to that of other high-street banks. This means Chase cards are available not only to corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) but also to sole proprietorships, freelancers, and other types of companies, large and small.
Here is a breakdown of the information Chase requires for business card applications, including a breakdown of what’s required and why:
| Info | Explained |
|---|---|
| ① The legal name and contact address of your business | Even if you don’t provide your personal information, you will need to provide all relevant contact information for your business, including the company’s legal name, any names your company is doing business under, and the mailing and phone contact information. |
| ② Basic information about your business | Most banks and lenders want to know some basic facts about your company. These facts include your industry type, the structure of your company and number of employees, and your annual revenue. |
| ③ Tax ID number |
Most business card applications require a tax ID number, which is the number the IRS uses to designate your company when you file your taxes. Many sole proprietorships have no employees – and never plan to hire additional help. Still, business credit card applications often ask for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is basically an SSN for a business – it is the same as a tax ID. If you are a freelancer, tutor, run an online shop, or run some other solo venture, chances are you won’t need your EIN or tax ID. The IRS stipulates that an EIN is only necessary for those companies that:
|
| ④ Estimated monthly spend on the card | Lenders want to ensure that your business’ finances aren’t stretched too thin, so expect to answer basic questions about how much you – and your employees – typically place on credit cards each month. |
| ⑤ Personal credit history | If you need to provide a personal guarantee, expect to provide all relevant credit information for the primary account holder. This information includes full legal name, home contact information (phone number, mailing address, e-mail), and your Social Security Number. |
Because Chase uses the applicant’s personal score when considering a business card, applicants should remember the Chase 5/24 Rule, which stipulates that if your account shows five or more credit card applications (which involve a hard inquiry each time you apply for a card) within the last 24 months, your credit card application will be rejected by Chase.
Does Chase Offer Preapproval?
Chase offers an online pre-approval tool on its website. However, this tool is designed for Chase’s personal credit cards, not business cards. As such, you might not find any pre-approved offers through the Chase website or mobile app.
Chase provides pre-qualified mail and email offers for selecting potential applicants. These pre-approval and pre-qualified mail offers are based on basic credit profile information purchased by the banks. This information does not reveal any sensitive information and has no negative impact on your credit file, so don’t worry.
If you don’t receive a pre-screened, pre-approved, or other mail offer, don’t worry. Ask a local Chase Bank branch teller if your business qualifies for an Ink business card. Remember, having a pre-existing business banking with Chase is a great way to receive special pre-qualified offers and increase your application approval odds.
How to Earn Rewards with Chase Ink Unlimited
Impressive Welcome Offer
Chase Ink Business cards are known for their generous welcome offers – and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is no different. New accounts earn a $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three (3) months from account opening. That welcome offer is substantial – but easy enough to reach for companies that plan on issuing multiple employee cards (additional employee cards are free of charge).
Earn Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back
As mentioned, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card closely mirrors the Chase Freedom Unlimited in the bank’s personal credit card family. Like Freedom Unlimited, Ink Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no caps on cash back earned, and rewards never expire as long as your account is open and active.
The benefit of an unlimited cash-back business card versus a card like the Ink Business Cash might not seem apparent, but it can easily be described using the latter’s cash-back structure. The Ink Cash earns up to 5% back on purchases in select categories, with those categories leaning heavily towards classic “business expenses.”
Suppose your company doesn’t spend enough on office supplies or gas, for example. In that case, the bonus categories may not offer enough value to justify earning a flat 1% back on those basic purchases. Here, a card like the Ink Unlimited shines – providing accelerated cash back on all purchases with no confusing categories or caps.
How to Redeem Cash Back
So, how does Chase cash back work?
Chase cash back credit cards offer greater versatility than many other cash back credit cards from larger banks. That’s because cash back through the Ink Card applies towards redemptions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Chase Ultimate Rewards offers exceptional value for money with various award options. Those options include:
- Travel
- Shopping
- Statement credits
- Donations
- Gift Cards
- Points transfers with select partners
Given that cardholders choose this card over, say, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, the most likely route for point redemption is for cash back. By choosing this option, companies can expect to receive a value of one cent per point (or one cent per dollar spent).
Current Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
Chase’s current Ultimate Rewards transfer partners include:
| Aer Lingus (AerClub) | Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) | Emirates (Skywards) |
| Air Canada (Aeroplan) | British Airways (Executive Club) | Iberia Plus |
| JetBlue (TrueBlue) | Southwest (Rapid Rewards) | Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer) |
| Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) | United Airlines (MileagePlus) | IHG Rewards |
| Marriott Bonvoy | World of Hyatt |
Transfer Limitations
Unfortunately, if you only have the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, you can’t transfer your points to Ultimate Rewards partners. Instead, you can only redeem your cash for gift cards, statement credits, Amazon’s Pay with Points, and other select retailers. You’ll need another Chase Sapphire credit card or an Ink Preferred Card to link your account to transfer points.
Ink Unlimited Benefits
Rewards are an important consideration before applying for a new business card, but the daily value of any business card lies in the benefits and integrations it provides card members.
0% Intro APR
Another valuable benefit of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is its introductory 0% APR period on purchases, followed by a variable APR based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. If you need to make a sizable purchase for your company, you’ll want to align its timing with opening an account for this card to enjoy 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases.
Complimentary Employee Cards
If you have multiple employees who will require additional cards issued, Chase conveniently allows you to set individual spending limits so you can stay on top of your business expenses. Your staff’s purchases will also earn 1.5% cash back, effectively multiplying your rewards earning rate.
Visa Business Protections
Unlike some premium Chase business cards, the Ink Business Unlimited Card provides only Visa Platinum business protections and benefits. However, companies still have access to essential purchase and fraud protections, including:
| Zero Fraud Liability | Roadside Dispatch | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Purchase and Extended Protection |
| Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | Emergency Card Replacement | Auto Rental Collison Damage Waiver | Travel and Emergency Assistance Services |
Mobile App
Additionally, the mobile app provides access to the following benefits:
| Set spending limits | The Chase Mobile banking app lets businesses set caps on specific on cards to prevent overuse or misuse. | |
| Organize receipts | The mobile app provides a streamlined way of generating expense reports and bookkeeping, with purchases automatically recorded in the app. | |
| Label purchases | The Chase mobile app allows companies to tag purchases and sync with its Chase.com account to create dynamic spending reports. | |
Ink Unlimited Business Card Comparisons
Chase Ink Comparison
| Ink Business Cash® | Ink Business Unlimited® | Ink Business Preferred® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards | Earn 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 | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases | 3X on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary. |
| Intro APR | 12 months on purchases | 12 months on purchases | N/A |
| Add. cards | Free | Free | Free |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $95 |
Other Business Cards to Compare
| Ramp Visa Card | Revenued Business Card | BILL Divvy Corporate Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guarantee required? | No | No | No |
| Rewards | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase | None | Earn up to 7X on dining purchases, up to 5X on hotels, up to 2X on recurring software subscriptions, and up to 1.5X on all other purchases |
| Integrations | Block or restrict spending to a specific vendor – for either a specific card or your entire company | Payment calendar and transaction history | Combines seamless expense management software with business cards so you never have to process another expense report |
| Fees | No fees – including foreign transaction, setup, or replacement fees | No fees or hard credit checks to apply | No interest rates, no annual fee |
What We Like About the Ink Business Unlimited®
Chase proprietary business and personal credit cards are always popular – and it’s easy to see why. Chase has the credit card program down pat, with Ink Business Unlimited being a perfect example of why. The card has no annual fee and requires no charge for additional employee cards.
The card starts with a generous pair of welcome offers: 0% APR on purchases for 12 months and $750 cash back bonus after meeting spending minimums from account opening. These features are standard with Ink cards and are a great bonus for any company (large or small) looking for a reliable rewards card without any hidden fees.
The unlimited 1.5% back is equally enjoyable, with plenty of excellent redemption options. Swapping your cash back for miles or points in more than a dozen hotels and frequent flyer loyalty programs can help stretch the rewards even further.
Things to Consider
Because Chase provides a family of business credit card options, it is essential to carefully examine all card offers to ensure you get what your business needs.
Perhaps the biggest reason not to consider Ink Business Unlimited is the reduced rewards it provides. The card’s cashback rate is fixed at 1.5%, which may not be the highest available in the market. If you are someone who spends a significant amount in specific categories, there may be other credit cards that offer higher cashback rates in those categories.
Also, the Chase Ink Unlimited Card offers no special travel benefits or perks like some other Chase credit cards. If your employees frequently travel for business purposes, you may want to consider a card that offers travel rewards, like the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card.
Chase Ink FAQs
Here you can find answers to some of the commonly asked questions about Chase Ink business credit cards:Business
- Yes. Most credit cards result in a hard pull when applying. Chase may use a soft pull when checking for prequalified offers, but a full application will result in a credit inquiry.
- Data suggests that Chase uses Experian for credit checks.
- Chase typically reports to the credit agencies approximately 3 to 4 days after the closing data on the card statement.
- Chase representatives are available through the Chase mobile app or by calling 1-800-935-9935.
There is currently no set limit on the number of Ink business cards you can have.
Chase Ratings
How does the Ink Business Visa stack up? Here are a selection of expert reviews for the card, as well as an overview of JP Morgan Chase as a bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
4.5/5 |
3.5/5 |
2/5 |
Should You Apply for the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card?
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a great cash back card for companies that don’t want to pay an annual fee but still want to earn unlimited 1.5% back on every purchase. The relatively easy to achieve $750 cash back sign up bonus is a great perk, but the 1.5% back is the real star. With the addition of employee cards at no additional cost, those rewards can add up very quickly.
The Chase Ultimate Rewards portal is among best loyalty programs available, so those cash back rewards will have significant value when used for options other than cash back. This is especially trey for travel. But, since the card is an unlimited version of the Ink Cash Card, most businesses will likely stick to this option. Even here, however, they’ll get exceptional value.
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