Please Note: Information about the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by TheSimpleDollar.com. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is a good option for business owners who would like to earn cash back on some of their most common business expenses.
Many business credit cards offer points or cash for travel expenses, however, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card offers rewards for purchases made on office supplies and cable, phone and internet services, differentiating it from the pack.
There’s a generous $ 500 cash back introductory offer for new cardmembers who spend $ 3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. Additionally, there is no annual fee, and cardholders can enjoy 0% APR for the first 12 months with their new card on purchases (14.74% – 20.74% Variable thereafter). Among business rewards cards, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card stands out for its generous 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.
What we like about the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
- There’s a substantial introductory offer of $ 500 after you spend $ 3,000 with the card within the first three months.
- There’s no annual fee, so small businesses that don’t have large budgets can comfortably apply for this card without worrying about an annual cost.
- The 0% introductory APR on purchases made within the first 12 months (14.74% – 20.74% Variable thereafter) can help you pay a business expense over time without accruing interest.
- The cash back program allows you to earn cash back on every purchase, with higher percentages for certain business expenses.
- You have the option to redeem your rewards for cash, travel, gift cards and more.
Things to consider
- You can only receive the 5% and 2% cash back in selected categories, for up to a combined $ 25,000 limit annually. So, if you spend substantially more than this threshold in a year, this may not be the best option for your business.
- You’ll be charged foreign transaction fees, which makes traveling with this card more costly than other business card options.
- There aren’t many special perks available besides the cash back bonus offerings, which may deter some business owners who are looking for more robust benefits (e.g. travel concierge services, airline upgrades, etc.).
Cash back details
The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card offers 5% cash back on purchases made with office supply retailers, and phone, cable and internet services. Further, it offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. You can earn these higher rewards on the first $ 25,000 spent per year. Additionally, you’ll earn 1% cash back on any other types of purchases without any limit on the amount of cash you can earn back.
The 5% bonus categories can be lucrative for business owners who spend a lot on office stores and internet, phone and cable services, even with the spending cap. To maximize the cash back benefits of this card, use it when making those specific category purchases. You’ll also want to use the card for gas and restaurant expenses to earn cash back. Considering there is no annual limit on earning 1% cash back, it can also be beneficial to use this card for other business purchases.
Fee details
When it comes to fees, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card fares pretty well compared to similar business credit cards. There is no annual fee, making this an attractive option for small businesses and startups that don’t have room in their budget for annual fees.
If you plan to travel with this card, you may be disappointed with the 3% foreign transaction fee. There’s also a $ 39 fee for late and returned payments, and balance transfers will be assessed a fee of $ 5 or 5% of the amount of transfer, whichever is greater.
How does it compare to other cash back cards?
The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is perfect for business owners who make frequent purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. But if you’re looking for a card with a higher spending threshold for rewards potential, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card allows you to receive 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $ 50,000 per calendar year (then 1%), double that of the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card. Looking for broader cash back opportunities? The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card lets you choose between several categories that give 3% cash back (on the first $ 50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year).
| Card | Ongoing Purchase APR | Annual Fee | Intro Bonus | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card | 14.74% – 20.74% Variable | $ 0 | Earn $ 500 bonus cash back after you spend $ 3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Excellent |
| American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card | 13.24% – 19.24% Variable (See Rates & Fees) | No current offer | Excellent | |
| Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card | 13.74% – 23.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers | $ 0 | Get a $ 300 statement credit when you make at least $ 3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening – with no annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire. | Excellent |
The bottom line
The Chase Ink Business Cash card is an excellent option for business owners who are looking for a no-frills credit card that earns cash back. If you frequently make purchases at office and business supply stores and have phone, cable and internet bills to pay, the 5% cash back offer is among the highest in the industry. That said, if the bulk of your spending is made elsewhere, you might be better off choosing a rewards card that has a broader, more flexible cash back program.
For rates and fees of American Express™ Blue Business Cash Card, please click here.
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