5 Reasons Why the Ink Business Preferred Is Now My Go-To Travel Card

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know the value of a go-to card that earns well on travel purchases, has flexible redemption options, and offers valuable travel insurance benefits. These features and benefits are important to me, and they’re exactly why I switched the travel card I carry to the Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card.

Here are the key reasons I now use the Ink Business Preferred card for general travel purchases.

1. It Earns 3x Points on Travel Purchases

My Chase Sapphire Reserve^® card previously earned 3x points on travel, making it the primary card I took with me on every trip.

However, Chase reduced this earning rate to 1x points on general travel late last year. Though Chase increased earnings to 8x points for travel booked through Chase Travel (and 4x points for flights and hotels booked directly), all general travel purchases now earn just 1x points.

Switching to the Ink Business Preferred card allows me to continue earning 3x points on general travel purchases (and 3 additional business categories for up to $150,000 in combined 3x purchases each card anniversary year).

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Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

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The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

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Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

17.74% - 26.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection

Cons

• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

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Card Highlights

• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 26.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Continuing to earn 3x points on general travel purchases is a key reason I take the Ink Business Preferred card with me wherever I go, especially since it also has no foreign transaction fees.

Examples of travel purchases that fall under the 3x points earning include:

• Transport such as buses, trains, subways, ride-hailing services, rental cars, and taxi fares
• Entrance fees, including museums and exhibitions
• Tours, including Viator and TripAdvisor
• Cruises and ferries
• Tolls and parking fees

For flights and hotels, I still use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which earns 8x points on Chase Travel and 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly. But for day-to-day spending while traveling, the Ink Business Preferred card is now my go-to.

2. It Helps Me Preserve More Valuable Ultimate Rewards Points

Last year, Chase made a major change to the travel redemption value of Ultimate Rewards points. Points earned after October 26, 2025, can no longer be redeemed for travel for more than 1 cent each, compared to up to 1.5 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and 1.25 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Points Are Now Split Into 2 Categories

When this change took effect, existing points were divided into 2 groups: those worth 1.5 cents each and those worth 1 cent each when redeemed through Chase Travel.

This was the situation with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

When I redeem points, the redemption will first be taken from the 1.5x point group. With my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, there is no way to redeem 1x points for a 1:1 transfer to airline or hotel partners until all 1.5x points have been used.

Using the Ink Business Preferred Card Saves My Higher-Value Points

Every point I earn on the Ink Business Preferred card is worth 1 cent when redeemed through Chase Travel. By earning and redeeming points on this card, I can avoid using the Ultimate Rewards points from my Chase Sapphire Reserve card accounts, which are worth 1.5 cents each.

This strategy — transferring points worth 1 cent each versus 1.5 cents each — is a major reason I now use the Ink Business Preferred card for general travel purchases and select redemptions.

3. I Can Still Transfer Points to Airline and Hotel Partners

Since the Ink Business Preferred card is a premium card that lets me transfer flexible points earned on it, I can use its transfer partners to maximize the value of my rewards.

At Upgraded Points, we currently value Ultimate Rewards points at about 2 cents each when redeemed for travel. This is because points can be transferred to most airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio and redeemed for award flights and hotel stays.

One of my favorite ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to World of Hyatt and book award nights. With more than a dozen transfer partners, there are plenty of opportunities to maximize value.

4. I Still Get Strong Travel Insurance Benefits

By using my Ink Business Preferred card for travel purchases during my trips, I’m also receiving several valuable travel insurance benefits:

• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Primary car rental insurance
• Roadside assistance

5. It Offers Solid Benefits and Cell Phone Protection

Beyond travel, the card also provides useful everyday protections.

Purchase Protections

Eligible items purchased with the Ink Business Preferred card are covered for theft or damage for 120 days from the date of purchase. This purchase protection coverage is valid for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Additionally, eligible warranties of 3 years or less receive a 1-year extension with the card’s extended warranty coverage.

Cell Phone Protection

The card offers cell phone protection of up to $1,000 per claim (with a $100 deductible) when you pay your monthly bill with the card. Coverage is capped at $3,000 per 12-month period and applies to employee phones as well.

Final Thoughts

I still use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ to book travel through Chase Travel, as well as flights and hotels booked directly. However, the card I carry when I travel is now my Ink Business Preferred card. There are simply too many purchases where I’d otherwise earn just 1x points — and switching to 3x points adds up quickly.

I can also save valuable Ultimate Rewards points for higher-upside redemptions, such as Points Boost flights and hotels, and certain partner transfers. Plus, keeping business and personal expenses separate is a primary reason to have a business credit card. Since writing about travel is my business, the Ink Business Preferred card is the perfect travel companion.