Ink Business Cash Credit Card review: A great no-annual-fee cash back card for small businesses

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If you’re a small business owner looking for a credit card that offers high cash back rewards without an annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card might be the perfect fit for your business. 

This card offers generous cash back on common business expenses, including office supplies, internet, cable, phone services, gas stations, and restaurants. With a generous sign-up bonus and a 0% intro APR on purchases, the card can help you save money while growing your business.

Still, the Ink Business Cash card is geared toward business owners whose expenses align with its bonus categories since it earns only 1% cash back on non-bonus purchases. Its lack of premium travel benefits and foreign transaction fees may limit its appeal to business travelers. 

How the Ink Business Cash card works

The Ink Business Cash card is designed to help small business owners earn cash back on their everyday expenses without paying an annual fee. Here are the key things to know about this card:

• Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services per year, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year, and 1% on all other purchases
• Welcome bonus: Earn $350 bonus cash back when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Annual fee: $0
• Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49%
• Redemption options: You can redeem points for cash back, gift cards, statement credits, direct deposit, travel (via the Chase Travel℠ portal), or Amazon, Apple, or PayPal purchases. 
• Additional benefits: Free employee cards, primary auto rental collision damage waiver for business rentals, travel and emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch hotline, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage. You’ll also get a 10% Business Relationship Bonus for opening an eligible Chase Business Checking account by the first cardholder anniversary. 

Ink Business Cash card rewards

The Ink Business Cash card offers a solid rewards structure that can greatly benefit small business owners who spend heavily in specific categories. Here's an overview of how rewards are earned and redeemed.

Earning rewards 

One of the standout features of the Ink Business Cash card is its tiered bonus categories, which allow you to earn elevated cash back rates on common business expenses:

• 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services per year
• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year
• 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025) 
• 1% on all other purchases

To illustrate the potential savings, let's say your business spends $10,000 annually on office supplies and $15,000 on internet, cable, and phone services. With the Ink Business Cash Card, you'd earn $1,250 cash back on those purchases alone (($10,000 + $15,000) x 5% = $1,250). Add your gas station and restaurant spending, and your rewards can quickly add up.

It's important to note that the 5% and 2% bonus categories have a combined spending cap of $25,000. Once you reach this threshold, your earning rate will drop to 1% cash back for those categories. However, this cap is more than sufficient for many small businesses to cover their annual expenses in these areas.

Redeeming rewards 

While rewards earned with the Chase Ink Business Cash card cannot be transferred to Chase airline and hotel partners like they can with the Chase Ink Business Preferred®, cash back earned with the card is generally flexible.

The Ink Business Cash card offers a variety of redemption options. You can redeem rewards for:

• Cash back to a bank account
• Statement credits
• Gift cards
• Travel through Chase Travel℠
• Amazon, Apple or PayPal purchases

For most redemption options, your cash back maintains a consistent value of 1 cent per point. For example, if you earn $500 cash back, you can redeem it for $500 in statement credits, gift cards, or travel. The only exceptions are Amazon, Apple, and PayPal purchases, with a redemption value of 0.8 cents per point.

One minor drawback of the Ink Business Cash Card is that, unlike the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you cannot transfer your rewards to Chase's airline and hotel partners. This means you won't be able to take advantage of potentially higher-value redemptions. 

Ink Business Cash card benefits

The Ink Business Cash card comes with quite a few perks compared to a credit card with no annual fee. 

Sign-up bonus

The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a substantial sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn a total of $750 cash back, broken down into two tiers:

• $350 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• An additional $400 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

To put this bonus into perspective, let's say your business typically spends $2,000 monthly on expenses. By using the Ink Business Cash Card for these purchases, you would reach the $6,000 threshold within the first three months, earning you the full $750 bonus.

While the two-tiered structure may seem slightly more complex than a single lump-sum bonus, it's still a highly competitive offer, especially considering the card's lack of an annual fee. This bonus is higher than what you'll find with most other no-annual-fee business credit cards.

Intro APR offer

Another valuable benefit of the Ink Business Cash card is its introductory 0% APR offer on purchases. For the first 12 months after account opening, you can make purchases without incurring interest charges, providing a helpful tool for managing cash flow and financing larger business expenses.

After the introductory period ends, a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49% will apply to any remaining balance and new purchases. To avoid high interest charges, it is best to pay off your balance in full before the 12-month period ends.

Additional perks

The Ink Business Cash card comes with a host of additional benefits, including: 

• Free employee cards
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus: If you open an eligible Chase Business Checking account within the first year of holding the Ink Business Cash Card, you'll receive a 10% cash back bonus on all your card purchases for the first 12 months (up to $200 bonus cash back).
• Primary auto rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a vehicle for business purposes using your card, you'll have coverage for theft and collision damage without needing to pay for the rental company's insurance.
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Roadside dispatch hotline
• Purchase protection: Your purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account)
• Extended warranty protection on eligible items with a manufacturer's warranty of three years or less. 

Ink Business Cash Card fees

While the Ink Business Cash card offers a range of valuable benefits, it's essential to understand any costs that come with it. Let's look at the key fees and interest rates you should know.

Annual fee

The Ink Business Cash card has no annual fee. 

While some business cards with more extensive benefits may charge annual fees, the Ink Business Cash Card can offer substantial value without this added expense. This makes the card an attractive option for small businesses looking to maximize their rewards without incurring additional costs.

Interest rates

As mentioned, new cardholders can qualify for 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months after account opening. This is followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49%. 

This APR range is fairly standard among business cards. To avoid costly interest charges, pay your balance in full each month.

Other fees

In addition to interest charges, there are a few other fees to keep in mind when using the Ink Business Cash card:

• Balance transfer fee: 5% of the transferred amount, with a minimum fee of $5
• Cash advance fee: 5% of the cash advance amount, with a minimum fee of $15
• Late payment fee: Up to $40
• Return payment fee: Up to $40

To minimize these fees, avoid using the card for balance transfers or cash advances. Instead, focus on using the card for purchases that align with its bonus categories and pay your balance in full each month to prevent interest charges and late fees.

If you frequently travel abroad or make international purchases, be aware that the Ink Business Cash Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. In this case, you may want to consider a business credit card that waives these fees, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

How the Ink Business Cash card compares

When considering the Ink Business Cash card, it's important to evaluate how it stacks up against other popular business cash back credit cards. 

Chase Ink Business Cash vs. Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards 

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard offers a unique rewards structure. 

You can choose your 3% cash back category from a list of options, including gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services, or business consulting services. You'll also earn 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% on all other purchases.

The spending caps on both cards are similar. The Customized Cash Rewards card caps bonus rewards at $50,000 in combined 3% and 2% category purchases each calendar year, while the Ink Business CashCard's caps are $25,000 for each bonus tier. 

Both cards offer bonus categories, but the Ink Business Cash Card's 5% categories are fixed, while the Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to choose your 3% category.

The Ink Business Cash card edges out the Customized Cash Rewards card with its more generous welcome bonus and slightly longer introductory APR offer.  

Ink Business Cash Card vs. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers a straightforward rewards structure. It earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year and 1% after that. 

While both cards have spending caps, the Blue Business Cash Card doesn’t have specific categories, which means you’ll earn 2% back on all spending up to the limit, no matter what you buy. 

However, the Ink Business Cash Card offers a higher welcome bonus and more redemption flexibility.

Who should consider the Ink Business Cash card?

The Ink Business Cash card can make sense for most business owners who want a rewards credit card with no annual fee. 

Businesses that spend heavily in the card's bonus categories stand to gain the most. If your company frequently purchases office supplies or has significant internet, cable, and phone services expenses, you can capitalize on the 5% cash back (up to $25,000 annually) in these categories.

Similarly, if your business dines out or fuels up regularly, the 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations (up to $25,000 annually) can add up quickly.

Startups and growing businesses can find particular value in this card's features. The 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months can be a game-changer for companies needing to make large upfront investments in equipment, inventory, or marketing. 

The Ink Business Cash card is an excellent entry point for businesses new to credit card rewards. With no annual fee, companies can explore the benefits of a rewards program without a big financial commitment. 

It’s important to note that while this card offers significant benefits for many businesses, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Larger companies with expenses far exceeding the bonus category caps, businesses primarily seeking travel rewards or premium travel perks, or companies with high general expenses outside the bonus categories might find better options elsewhere.

How we rated this card

Every credit card review we publish has undergone a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity.

We rate all credit cards on a 10-point system, with 10 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score. We assess each card across several key factors, weighted based on what our research shows matters most to readers like you. Learn more about our methodology here.

The bottom line 

If you're looking for a business credit card with no annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card should be on your list. This is especially true if your business spends heavily on office supply stores or internet, cable, and phone services, where you can earn 5% cash back (up to $25,000 annually). Additionally, the card's 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months can be a valuable tool for managing cash flow or financing large purchases.

However, it's important to consider the card's limitations. Unlike some premium Chase business cards, Ink Business Cash doesn't offer the ability to transfer points to travel partners. The card's benefits are also relatively modest, primarily focusing on travel and purchase protections rather than offering extensive premium perks. 

To make the best decision for your business, we recommend analyzing your business spending patterns to see if they align with the card's bonus categories. 

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.