Comparing The Top 3 Chase Business Credit Cards – Which Is the Best for Me?

BY 

Christine Krzyszton

- UPDATED: August 13, 2019

1. Business Owners  / 
2. Credit Cards  / 
3. Strategies & Guides

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Selecting the right Chase business credit card to leverage the purchasing power of your company is an important step. You’re securing more than just a vehicle for facilitating business purchases; you’re initiating a long-term productive relationship with a leading financial institution that dominates in the credit card rewards arena.

You’re also deciding to earn rewards on every purchase your business makes — and that’s a brilliant decision! You’d be spending those dollars regardless, so why not earn rewards? Any prudent business person would choose to earn cash-back that could be reinvested back into the business, or rewards that could be used to offset the cost of travel expenses.

Regardless of which Chase business credit card you select, you’ll earn rewards on every purchase. However, selecting the card that aligns best with your business spending patterns will ensure you earn the most rewards possible.

That’s our objective today. We’ll dig deep into the benefits for each of 3 popular Chase business credit cards. We’ll highlight the earning power of each card, and cover what you can expect when it’s time to redeem those rewards.

You’re sure to recognize benefits you can use, bonus spending categories that match your highest business purchases, and an annual fee amount you’re comfortable paying (including $0).

Let’s get started with our comparison of the Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card, and the Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card to find out which one fits your business perfectly.

Applying for a Chase Business Credit Card

What Qualifies as a Business?

The IRS is generous in its definition of what constitutes a business, as evidenced by this quote from their website:

• “A trade or business is generally an activity carried on for a livelihood or in good faith to make a profit. You do not need to actually make a profit to be in a trade or business as long as you have a profit motive.”

While the IRS considers any endeavor that has the intention of making a profit to be considered a business, you’ll want to have your information well-organized when applying for a Chase business credit card. Chase is not just issuing you a credit card; they’re considering the overall picture and your potential for future business.

Completing the Application

Follow these tips when applying for a Chase business credit card.

• Apply only if your personal credit is strong. Approval for a Chase business credit card will be based on the strength of your personal credit.
• Take the application seriously. Chase will be determining if they’re going to grant you credit, so you’ll want to complete the application as truthfully and accurately as possible. If a particular application question does not apply, don’t leave the space blank — write in N/A.
• Save a copy of the application. You may be approved instantly, or Chase may need more information before their decision. You may even need to speak with a representative to answer questions about your business. You’ll want to have a copy of your initial application to reference.
• Document the welcome offer. If you’re applying for a card with a specific welcome offer, document that offer with a screenshot or printed copy to reference later in case you do not receive it.
• Leverage your current Chase relationship. If you currently do business with Chase, leverage that relationship by visiting your local branch to apply in person.

Expect to provide the following information.

• Your legal business name, or your personal name if your business does not have a name
• Your business entity information (sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, or limited liability company)
• A Tax ID number, Employer Identification Number, or your Social Security number
• Number of years in business
• Your estimated business income and total personal income
• Business address and phone number
• The category of your business, the business type, and the sub-type
  • For example —
    • Business category: professional
    • Business type: accounting
    • Business sub-type: tax preparation
• The number of employees

For additional tips on applying and qualifying for a business credit card, see our complete guide.

Once you’ve applied for a Chase business credit card, you can monitor the status of your application. Here’s our primer on how to do that, plus how to handle a denial (if applicable).

Bottom Line: The IRS definition of what constitutes a business is broad, but Chase can be more discerning. You’ll want to be well-organized when applying for a Chase business credit card, and take the application process seriously. A long-term relationship with Chase is an asset you’ll be able to utilize for years to come.

Which Chase Business Card Is Right for Your Business?

Chase’s popular business credit cards — the Ink Business Preferred, Ink Business Cash, and Ink Business Unlimited — all offer elevated earnings on business purchases, a variety of redemption options, and travel/shopping benefits.

The mix of your business spending, how you’ll use your rewards, and your tolerance for paying an annual fee should all influence your card selection.

Chase Business Card	Benefits	Best For
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card We Get $1,600+ of Value Using This Card >>	Earn 80,000 bonus points That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories. Annual Fee: $95	Businesses that: Travel frequently Spend a lot in the bonus categories of travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card	Earn $500 bonus cash back Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services Earn 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 (combined) spent at gas stations and restaurants each year 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases, then a variable APR of 15.49% - 21.49% $0 Annual Fee	Businesses that: Spend a lot on office supplies and on internet/cable/phone services Have a large purchase they want to repay over time without interest Need to quickly pay down a high interest credit card debt without incurring more interest charges Want the simplicity of cash-back vs travel points
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card	$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, 15.49% - 21.49% variable APR. Annual Fee: $0	Business owners who: Prefer cash back that can be invested directly back into the business versus travel rewards Have a large purchase to repay over time that can be transferred and paid off during the 12-month 0% APR period

Earning Ultimate Rewards

Chase business credit cards earn rewards in the form of Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed in a variety of ways (including travel and cash-back). We’ll focus on redemption options later in this article, but first let’s take a look at how each card earns these rewards points.

Pay particular attention to how each Chase business credit card aligns with the specific purchases your business makes on a regular basis.

Let’s look at how these earning rates translate into the amount of rewards you’ll earn. For the purpose of illustration, let’s assume your highest annual business expenses are the following:

• $44,000 on travel
• $6,000 on dining
• $40,000 on advertising
• $30,000 on internet and phone services

Here’s how your earnings would look with each card:

• Ink Business Preferred: 348,000 Ultimate Rewards points
  • $114,000 spent @ 3x earnings
  • $6,000 spent @ 1x earnings
• Ink Business Cash: 326,000 Ultimate Rewards points or $3,260 cash-back
  • $89,000 spent @ 1x earnings
  • $6,000 spent @ 2x earnings
  • $25,000 spent @ 5x earnings
• Ink Business Unlimited: 180,000 Ultimate Rewards points or $1,800 cash-back
  • $120,000 spent @ 1.5x earnings

If we change the mix of your top business expenses, your results will be different. Now let’s assume the following spending:

• $30,000 on internet and phone services
• $20,000 on advertising
• $15,000 at office supply stores

Here’s how the cards compare on earnings with this different spending mix.

• Ink Business Preferred Card: 165,000 Ultimate Rewards points
  • $50,000 spent @ 3x earnings
  • $15,000 spent @ 1x earnings
• Ink Business Cash: 165,000 Ultimate Rewards points or $1,650 cash-back
  • $40,000 spent @ 1x earnings
  • $25,000 spent @ 5x earnings
• Ink Business Unlimited: 97,500 Ultimate Rewards points or $975 cash-back
  • $65,000 spent @ 1.5x earnings

As the examples illustrate, the best Chase business credit card for earning rewards on your business purchases will depend on the mix of your highest expenses and whether these expenses fall into the bonus earning categories.

Keep in mind that you’ll be earning rewards on every purchase your business makes, not just bonus category purchases. These examples focus on the highest expenses only.

The mixture of your business spending will determine which is the better card in terms of earning power for your business.

Bottom Line: If your business spends a lot on travel, shipping, or advertising expenses, the Ink Business Preferred will be the best option for earning and redeeming Ultimate Rewards Points. There is a $150,000 spending limit on 3x bonus category purchases per year; beyond that 1x earnings apply. 

When It’s Time to Redeem Your Points

Regardless of the Chase Business card you have, you’ll earn rewards in the form of Ultimate Rewards points (even with a cash-back rewards card). These points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, cash, gift cards, and more.

However, the best value can be had by transferring points to Chase’s travel partners or redeeming for travel via the Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

The Ink Business Preferred Card is the winner when it comes to redeeming points for travel, since points can be redeemed for 1.25 cents each via the Ultimate Rewards travel portal with no transfers necessary.

Ultimate Rewards earned on the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited can be redeemed for 1 cent each toward travel. For more value, these points can also be transferred to an Ink Business Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and then redeemed for up to 1.5 cents per point.

How you plan to redeem your rewards will play a role in which credit card is best for your business. If your priority is to redeem your rewards for travel, you’ll want to have a premium Chase card such as the Ink Business Preferred.

If you prefer to redeem your rewards for cash, all 3 business credit cards offer 1 cent per point at redemption time. You can also use the points earned on any of these cards to purchase gift cards. Additional shopping redemption options are available as well (sometimes at lower values), such as purchases from Amazon.

The Value of a Welcome Bonus

Now that you have an idea of what your Ultimate Rewards points are worth at redemption time, let’s talk about welcome bonuses.

Each business card we’re discussing offers a welcome bonus once you’re approved for the card and meet minimum spending requirements within your first 3 months. This initial influx of rewards is immediately available to redeem as soon as it is credited to your Ultimate Rewards account.

The value of this spending bonus will vary depending on how you redeem your points, but if your redemption of choice is travel, you’ll find the Ink Business Preferred offers the greatest welcome bonus worth $1,000 in travel.

The Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited cards have welcome bonuses of $500 cash-back. When transferred to a Chase premium credit card and subsequently redeemed for travel, these bonus points could be worth up to 50% more.

Bottom Line: Although you will have to pay an annual fee on the Ink Business Preferred, the welcome bonus is much higher than the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited cards. 

The 0% APR Benefit

A little-publicized benefit of the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited cards is the 0% introductory APR offer. Businesses that have major purchases coming up can save hundreds of dollars on finance charges by utilizing this benefit.

• Ink Business Cash Card – 0% APR for 12 months from card approval for purchases
• Ink Business Unlimited Card – 0% APR for 12 months from card approval for purchases
• Ink Business Preferred Card – normal variable APR applies (currently 15.49%-21.49%).

The 0% introductory APR is valid for your first 12 months after the opening of your card. After that, the normal variable APR applies (currently 15.49%-21.49%).

Bottom Line: The 0% APR benefit on the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited cards can help fund a major purchase for your business without incurring interest rate charges. Manage your repayment well, and you can save hundreds in financing charges. 

Travel Protections and Benefits

Several useful travel protections and benefits are offered on all 3 Chase business credit cards.

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: All 3 Chase business cards provide primary coverage for damage, theft, loss of use, and towing when renting a vehicle for business or personal purposes worldwide. You also receive primary coverage if you are renting within your country for personal reasons and do not have auto insurance. With primary coverage, you do not have to file a claim any other source of auto insurance first.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Receive help 24/7 during your travels with services such as finding an English-speaking medical professional or attorney, emergency transportation, or wiring funds.
• Roadside Dispatch: For a flat fee per service call, you can receive roadside assisted services including short-distance towing, winching, gas delivery, lockout service, and tire changes. The cardholder is responsible for costs of all other services rendered.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your covered trip on a common carrier is delayed more than 12 hours or overnight, you could receive up to $500 in reimbursements for incidentals.
• Baggage Delay: If your checked bags are delayed more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days.
• Lost Luggage: Receive up to $3,000 per person as a reimbursement if your checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged while traveling on a common carrier.
• Travel Accident Insurance: The Common Carrier Benefit covers you while you are a passenger on any common carrier or at the airport/terminal/station immediately before or after your trip. The 24 Hour Travel Accident Benefit covers you from embarkation, during your qualifying trip, and until you return. You and your immediate family are covered for a severe injury or loss of life, with limits of $500,000 for the Common Carrier Benefit and $100,000 on the 24 Hour Benefit.

One benefit is offered only on the Ink Business Preferred, and it’s an important one.

• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption: If your trip is disrupted due to a covered incident, you could receive reimbursement for prepaid and/or nonrefundable expenses. Receive up to $5,000 per person, per occurrence, for a maximum of up to $20,000 per 12-month period.

Bottom Line: While all Chase business cards come with several travel protections, the Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefit is not offered on either the Ink Business Cash or the Ink Business Unlimited. If you travel frequently, having this benefit on the Ink Business Preferred could be a real plus. 

Shopping Protections and Benefits

You’ll receive purchase protection and extended warranty coverage with all Chase business credit cards.

• Purchase Protection: Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per account) should accidental damage occur.
• Extended Warranty: An eligible item purchased with your card will have its U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less extended by 1 year. Claims are limited to $10,000 each and a $50,000 maximum per account.

The Ink Business Preferred Card also provides cell phone protection. Receive up to $600 when you pay your wireless bill with your card if it is “damaged, stolen, or involuntary and accidental parting occurs.”  There is a $100 deductible for this coverage and a limit of 3 claims per 12-month period.

You may also qualify for limited cell phone protection under Chase’s Purchase Protection or Extended Warranty.

Everything Else You Need to Know

All 3 Chase business cards come with free employee cards, ensuring that all your business spending earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points. You can also view or download quarterly and annual spending reports to help you track and manage expenses.

Both the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited cards charge 3% foreign transaction fees. The Ink Business Preferred does not charge foreign transaction fees.

To learn more about protections and benefits, you can access the guide to the Ink Business Preferred here, and the guide for the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited here.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of prudent reasons for having a business credit card. Keeping personal and business expenses separated is a primary reason, but having a business credit card also makes business bookkeeping easier and creates a comprehensive reference at tax time.

Having a Chase business credit card allows you to earn rewards on every dollar your business spends. When it comes time to redeem your rewards, you can use them to offset business expenses or even fund a family vacation.

As we frequently emphasize, the right business card for you will be the one that matches your highest business expenses and aligns with how you’re going to utilize the rewards you’ve earned. The card should have benefits you can use and an annual fee you’re willing to pay.

In the case of Chase business credit cards, there really isn’t a wrong decision — only a choice that is better suited for your business at the moment. You may find that as your business changes and grows, you’ll need to re-evaluate which is the best card for your operation.