Why The Ink Business Unlimited Is A Good Flat-Rate Cash Back Card For Businesses | Bankrate

Business owners typically have their hands full, juggling multiple tasks at once — everything from sales and marketing to accounting and human resources. With so many things to take care of, keeping up with a rewards program on a business credit card likely falls near the bottom of the list. Luckily, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card from Chase not only offers cash back for businesses, but its flat-rate approach is perfect for business owners seeking simplicity.

Why the Ink Business Unlimited is a good cash back card for businesses

Easy to earn rewards on all purchases

For every dollar spent on purchases with the Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5 percent cash back. There aren’t any rotating rewards categories to keep up with or certain bonus categories where you’ll earn more points than others. No matter what type of purchase you’re making, you’ll know exactly what you’re earning. And since this card comes with no annual fee, you won’t have to worry about making up for the cost of card membership through rewards earnings.

However, note that you’ll technically earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back at a 1:1 value. So, for every $1,000 you spend in business-related purchases per month, you’ll earn $15 in cash back.

You can earn rewards even faster if you have employees who are authorized to use the card, too. Employee cards do not have an annual fee either, so you can earn points on their purchases without a yearly charge.

Flexible redemption options

Since the Ink Business Unlimited technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll have more redemption options to choose from. You can redeem your rewards for cash back at any time, which is what makes this a cash back credit card. There is no minimum amount of points needed to cash out, and you can receive funds in the form of a statement credit or direct deposit. You can also redeem points for travel through Chase, gift cards or purchases with select merchants. For instance, you can pay with points through the Apple Ultimate Rewards Store, Amazon or PayPal.

This redemption flexibility is one way the card can support your business since you can pick a redemption option that suits your business’ needs. That may involve choosing cash back in the form of statement credits to offset a high bill, redeeming points for gift cards to use as employee incentives or using points for travel.

How to maximize cash back earned with the Ink Business Unlimited

Take advantage of the welcome offer

As a new cardholder, you can earn $750 in cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. That $750 cash back goes straight to your bottom line and may be easier to earn than you realize.

Although $6,000 is a fair amount to spend in three months, the $750 in cash back is also a much larger welcome bonus than other no-annual-fee business cards offer. To earn this welcome bonus, use the Ink Business Unlimited for as many expenses as possible within the first three months — such as internet bills, annual dues, travel expenses and anything else related to running your business.

Be strategic with the 0% intro APR offer

This card also offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, after which a variable APR of 17.74 percent to 23.74 percent will apply. This is an ideal time to make the larger purchases your business requires. For example, that could be a new laptop computer or else software licensing you need to run your business more efficiently.

By taking advantage of this offer, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars in interest (or more). Of course, be sure to pay off the balance before the promotional offer ends to avoid any potential interest fees.

Pair with other Chase credit cards

One way to maximize your earnings with the Ink Business Unlimited is to pair it with a premium Chase credit card that qualifies for travel rewards. For instance, you can transfer rewards earned with the Ink Business Unlimited to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. You’ll then be able to redeem those points for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal for 50 percent or 25 percent more value, respectively.

How does the Ink Business Unlimited compare to other cash back business cards?

Let’s take a look at how the Ink Business Unlimited stacks up against other cash back business credit cards.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

Like the Ink Business Unlimited, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card comes with no annual fee and allows cardholders to earn cash back on all business purchases. With the Amex Blue Business Cash, though, you’ll earn 2 percent cash back on up to $50,000 in purchases per year. Once you reach that threshold, you’ll earn 1 percent cash back on all remaining purchases for the year.

As for a welcome offer, you can earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first three months. And similar to the Ink Business Unlimited, the Amex Blue Business Cash offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months (followed by a variable APR of 17.99 percent to 25.99 percent).

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is another simple, flat-rate cash back business card option. You’ll earn 2 percent cash back on all purchases throughout the year (without any caps on spending) and an unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

There is an annual fee of $150, which makes it a more expensive business card option. There’s also no introductory APR offer on purchases or balance transfers. However, the Spark Cash Plus doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees (unlike the Ink Business Unlimited, which charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee), so it would be a better option for business owners who frequently travel overseas.

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card* does feature a higher cash back rewards rate — but with a caveat. You’ll earn 3 percent cash back in one eligible category of your choice (including travel, office supply stores, gas stations, computer services, telecom and wireless services and business consulting services). You’ll also earn 2 percent cash back on dining purchases. Note that 3 percent and 2 percent categories are limited to $50,000 in combined spending, then you’ll earn 1 percent back.

There’s no annual fee, and you can also enjoy a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles (16.74 percent to 26.74 percent variable APR thereafter). In terms of a welcome bonus, you can earn a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

*The information about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card was last updated on March 27, 2023.

The bottom line

There is more to the Ink Business Unlimited than initially meets the eye, which is one reason it continues to be a popular option among business owners. With a simple rewards structure, flexible redemption options when it’s time to cash out, no annual fee and a generous 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then a variable APR of 17.74 percent to 23.74 percent), this business cash back card is seriously worth considering.