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The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a simple cash-back card for small business owners who want straightforward rewards with no annual fee. It often flies under the radar in favor of mid-tier cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. But the card currently offers a best-ever welcome bonus that puts it squarely in the competition for the best business card.
Of course, a welcome bonus isn’t everything you should look for in a credit card. To determine whether the Ink Business Unlimited is for you, here’s a closer look at the card and who might benefit from having it.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR17.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
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Sign-Up Bonus
$750Cash Bonus
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
If you’re looking for a solid business credit card with unlimited earning potential, this could be it. With a 1.5% cash-back rate, it earns less than the other Ink Business cards, but you can put earning on autopilot with no spending limits or categories to juggle.
Overview
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® credit card is one of the best business credit cards on the market, and if you use it right by pairing it with a Chase card with an annual fee, you can unlock access to valuable transferable Ultimate Rewards points that you can move to travel partners.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Easy earning structure of 1.5X back on everything with no limits
- Robust travel and purchase protections
Cons
- Businesses that spend more on bonus categories won't earn more in rewards
- 1.5X isn't the highest earning rate
Benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited
As a simple cash-back card, the Ink Business Unlimited card’s primary benefit is the elevated earning rate. Cardmembers earn 1.5% cash back on all spending, with no limits. This is incredibly convenient for those who want a single credit card for all their business expenses and don’t want to deal with tracking category bonuses.
However, this earning structure can be limiting if your business spends a great deal at office supply stores or on internet, cable, and phone services. The Ink Cash Card earns 5% back in this category (on the first $25,000 every anniversary year), which is much more preferable to the Ink Business Unlimited’s 1.5%. Employee cards are free, so you can add authorized users to help you earn more rewards without incurring extra fees.
When using your Ink Business Unlimited card for business travel, you can rest easy knowing your rental car is protected against damage and loss. Cardmembers get a primary rental collision damage waiver, which covers up to the cash value in case of theft or damage. The coverage applies within the U.S. and abroad, which is pretty rare for a card with no annual fee. You can decline the rental company’s supplemental insurance and won’t have to file a claim with your own insurance in case of an accident.
Who Should Get the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card?
The Ink Business Unlimited has several benefits that make it a valuable addition to the right person’s wallet. But who exactly benefits from having this card? Most people will find value in it since there is no upfront cost (i.e., an annual fee). But the best scenario is when you can use the card’s various features and perks. Here’s who should get the Ink Business Unlimited:
A Business Owner Who Wants a Simplified Reward Structure
Business credit cards offer lucrative category bonuses but not everyone wants to keep track of them to maximize spending. Plus, some of these categories are capped, meaning there’s a limit on how many rewards you can earn at the elevated rate. With the Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back regardless of where you swipe your card. Many business owners will find that simplicity convenient and lucrative.
Someone Who Wants a Rewarding Business Card with No Annual Fee
There are lots of great business credit cards on the market offering high rewards potential, but they carry high annual fees. If you’re a business owner who wants a substantial welcome bonus and recurring earning potential without paying an annual fee, then the Ink Business Unlimited is a good choice.
Someone Who Has an Ultimate Rewards-Earning Credit Card
This bears repeating, but if you have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, you can convert your cash-back rewards from the Ink Business Unlimited to points. If you currently have a Chase Sapphire PreferredⓇ, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, the Ink Unlimited might be a nice addition to your wallet. You can increase your earning potential on non-bonus spending without paying another annual fee.
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Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card Review: 1.5% Back on Everything and a $750 Sign-Up Bonus
Who Shouldn’t Get the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card?
While the Ink Business Unlimited has a lot going for it, it’s not for everyone. Depending on your reward goals and spending habits, you might be better off with a different credit card. Here’s a look at who shouldn’t get the Ink Business Unlimited and alternative cards to consider:
Someone Who Wants a Business Card for Travel Rewards
The Ink Business Unlimited earns cash back, which isn’t a good fit for business owners looking for a travel rewards card. Cashback is more limiting because the redemption value is set. With points, you have more opportunities to redeem them. You can choose from cash back at a fixed rate (one cent or less) or transfer for high-value luxury hotel awards and premium cabin flights.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card is an excellent no-annual-fee alternative to the Ink Business Unlimited. It earns 2X Membership Rewards on all spending (up to $50,000 per calendar year), which is higher than the Ink Unlimited. The best part? You can redeem points with 18 airline and hotel partners. The only downside is the card’s welcome bonus, which is meager at 15,000 points after $3,000 spent within three months of card membership.
Someone Who Wants a Credit Card for International Use
It’s also worth noting that the Ink Business Unlimited carries a 3% foreign transaction fee. So if you frequently travel abroad or do business with merchants outside of the U.S., you might incur an extra 3% fee. This offsets the value of the rewards you earn, so you should consider getting a different card.
The Bank of AmericaⓇ Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® is a solid alternative, offering 1.5% cash back on all spending and no foreign transaction fees. The welcome bonus is not as high, at $300 after you spend $3,000 within 90 days of account opening.
Someone Who Wants a Card with Elevated Category Bonuses
The Ink Business Unlimited’s flat earn rate is great if you want simplicity but not ideal if you spend money in certain categories. By earning 1.5% cash back with this card, you could leave rewards on the table. If your business spends significantly in a specific category, you should look for a different card to help you maximize your rewards.
For example, the Ink Business Cash® credit card offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services every anniversary year. Plus, the card earns 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants. By maxing out these two bonuses, you would earn an extra $1,750 in cash-back rewards every year.
Related Article
Who Should (and Who Shouldn’t) Get the Chase Ink Business Cash
Ariana Arghandewal
Ariana Arghandewal is a rewards travel expert and founder of Pointchaser, an online publication dedicated to rewards travel topics. She brings over a decade of experience writing about travel, points, miles and credit cards. Her expertise includes her roles as an editor for distinguished travel and finance publications such as NerdWallet, The Points Guy and FlyerTalk. She has also authored many articles featured in major financial news & travel channels like Forbes, U.S. News Weekly, Business Insider & Fodor’s Travel.
