Chase Ink Business Cards: Complete Comparison and Strategy Guide

Chase Ink cards are the gold standard for business credit cards. Strong sign-up bonuses, valuable rewards, and a points system that transfers to top airlines and hotels.

But there are three Ink cards, and they serve different purposes. Choose wrong and you leave value on the table. Choose right and you maximize every dollar spent.

Here's everything you need to know about Chase Ink Business cards.

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The Three Chase Ink Cards

Chase Ink Business Preferred

The premium points card

Best for: Business owners who spend heavily on advertising, shipping, or travel and want transferable points.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

The simple cash back / points card

Best for: General spending, especially if you have varied expenses across many categories.

Chase Ink Business Cash

The category bonus card

Best for: Heavy spending on office supplies, phone/internet, gas, or dining.

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Head-to-Head Comparison

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Which Card Should You Get?

Get the Ink Business Preferred If:

• You spend $5,000+/month on advertising, shipping, or travel
• You want the largest sign-up bonus (100K points)
• You value transferable points to airlines/hotels
• You can meet the $15K spending requirement

Example calculation:

• Monthly advertising spend: $3,000
• Monthly shipping spend: $1,000
• Annual 3x spend: $48,000
• Points earned on categories: 144,000 points
• Value at 1.5¢/point: $2,160/year (minus $95 fee = $2,065 net)

Get the Ink Business Unlimited If:

• Your spending is spread across many categories
• You want simplicity—no category tracking
• You want 0% APR for 12 months
• You prefer a no-annual-fee card

Example calculation:

• Monthly total spend: $5,000
• Annual spend: $60,000
• Points at 1.5x: 90,000 points
• Value at 1.5¢/point: $1,350/year
• No annual fee = $1,350 pure value

Get the Ink Business Cash If:

• You spend heavily on office supplies (5x up to $25K)
• Your phone/internet bill is significant (5x up to $25K)
• You buy gas regularly (2x up to $25K)
• You dine out frequently for business (2x up to $25K)

Example calculation:

• Monthly office supplies: $500 × 5x = 2,500 points
• Monthly phone/internet: $200 × 5x = 1,000 points
• Monthly gas: $400 × 2x = 800 points
• Annual bonus category points: 51,600 points
• Value at 1.5¢/point: $774/year
• No annual fee = $774 pure value

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The Ultimate Strategy: Get All Three

Why Multiple Cards Work

Each card excels in different areas. Having all three means:

• Maximum bonus categories covered
• Larger sign-up bonus collection
• More credit access
• Backup cards for any situation

The Trifecta Strategy

Card 1: Ink Preferred — Primary card for advertising, shipping, travel Card 2: Ink Cash — Office supplies, phone/internet, gas, dining Card 3: Ink Unlimited — Everything else (1.5x baseline)

Combined benefits:

• All sign-up bonuses: 250,000 points ($3,750+ value)
• Maximum earnings on every category
• 0% APR option when needed
• Points pool together in one account

Application Order

Step 1: Ink Preferred first

• Largest bonus, hardest spend requirement
• Apply when you can meet $15K in 3 months

Step 2: Ink Cash or Unlimited (60-90 days later)

• Smaller spend requirement
• 0% APR benefit available

Step 3: Third card (60-90 days after second)

• Complete the trifecta
• Maximum category coverage

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Chase Approval Strategy

The 5/24 Rule

Chase won't approve you if you've opened 5+ personal credit cards in the past 24 months.

What counts: Personal cards from any issuer What doesn't count: Business cards (from any issuer, including Chase)

Strategy: Get Chase cards before hitting 5/24

Factors That Improve Approval

Positive factors:

• Existing Chase relationship (checking/savings)
• Chase credit card history with on-time payments
• Strong personal credit score (720+)
• Lower utilization on existing cards
• Real business with revenue

Concerning factors:

• Recently opened Chase cards (less than 3 months ago)
• High utilization on existing Chase cards
• Too many recent applications
• Low income relative to requested credit

Application Tips

Before applying:

• Lower utilization on all cards
• Don't apply for other cards within 30 days
• Have business revenue and time in business numbers ready

During application:

• Use legitimate business information
• Sole proprietors can use SSN and personal name
• Be prepared for verification call

If denied:

• Wait for denial letter (states reason)
• Call reconsideration line
• Be prepared to explain business and income

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Maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards

Point Values

Chase Ultimate Rewards points have different values based on redemption:

Transfer Partners

Chase points transfer 1:1 to:

Airlines:

• United
• Southwest
• British Airways
• Air France/KLM
• Virgin Atlantic
• Singapore Airlines
• And more

Hotels:

• Hyatt (best value)
• Marriott
• IHG

Best Value Redemptions

Hyatt transfers: Often 1.5-2.5¢ per point value United awards: Good for domestic and some international Southwest: Consistently 1.4-1.6¢ per point

Avoid:

• Gift cards (poor value)
• Amazon checkout (1¢ or less per point)
• Statement credit (1¢ per point)

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Ink Cards for 0% APR Strategy

Which Ink Cards Have 0% APR?

Using Ink for Business Funding

Strategy: Use Ink Cash or Unlimited's 0% APR for interest-free business purchases.

Example:

• Need $20,000 in equipment
• Put on Ink Unlimited at 0% APR
• Pay $1,667/month for 12 months
• Zero interest paid
• Still earn 1.5x points (30,000 points)

Combining with Card Stacking

Add Ink cards to your 0% APR card stack:

• Ink Unlimited: $20,000 limit
• Ink Cash: $15,000 limit
• Other 0% cards: Additional limits

Potential: $50,000-100,000+ in 0% APR access

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Common Ink Card Mistakes

Mistake 1: Only Getting One Card

Each Ink card serves different purposes. Having one means missing value from others.

Fix: Plan to eventually have all three.

Mistake 2: Not Using Category Bonuses

Putting office supply purchases on Ink Unlimited (1.5x) instead of Ink Cash (5x) wastes points.

Fix: Match purchases to highest-earning card.

Mistake 3: Cashing Out Points at 1¢

Taking statement credits instead of using transfer partners.

Fix: Transfer to Hyatt, United, or Southwest for 1.5x+ value.

Mistake 4: Applying Too Fast

Multiple Chase applications within 30 days often result in denial.

Fix: Space Chase applications 2-3 months apart.

Mistake 5: Missing Sign-Up Bonus Deadlines

Not meeting spend requirements means missing thousands in bonus value.

Fix: Apply only when you can meet spend requirements organically.

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Ink Card Spending Categories Deep Dive

Ink Preferred 3x Categories

Travel: Airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, cruises, travel agencies

Shipping: UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL (shipping supplies at office stores count as office supplies, not shipping)

Internet, cable, phone: Business internet, cell phone plans, landlines

Advertising: Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, print advertising, TV/radio (social media boosted posts may not code correctly)

Ink Cash 5x Categories

Office supply stores: Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Amazon (with Amazon Business Prime)

Internet, cable, phone: Same as Preferred

Ink Cash 2x Categories

Gas stations: Shell, BP, Exxon, etc. (grocery store gas may not code correctly)

Restaurants: All dining (fast food, sit-down, delivery)

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Ink Cards for Different Business Types

E-commerce Business

Best cards: Ink Preferred (shipping) + Ink Cash (office supplies for packaging)

Key categories:

• Shipping: 3x on all shipments
• Office supplies: 5x on packaging materials from office stores
• Advertising: 3x on digital ads

Service Business

Best cards: Ink Preferred (travel, advertising) + Ink Unlimited (general)

Key categories:

• Travel: 3x for client meetings
• Advertising: 3x for marketing
• Phone/internet: 5x with Ink Cash

Retail Business

Best cards: Ink Cash (office supplies, gas) + Ink Unlimited (inventory)

Key categories:

• Gas: 2x for deliveries
• Office supplies: 5x for store supplies
• Everything else: 1.5x baseline

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Your Chase Ink Action Plan

If You Have No Chase Cards

1. Check your 5/24 status
2. Apply for Ink Preferred (best bonus)
3. Meet $15K spend in 3 months
4. Wait 3 months
5. Apply for Ink Cash or Unlimited

If You Have One Ink Card

1. Evaluate which categories you're missing
2. Wait 3 months since last Chase application
3. Apply for second Ink card
4. Maximize category coverage

If You Have All Three

1. Use correct card for each category
2. Pool points in one account
3. Transfer to partners for best value
4. Request credit limit increases annually

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Next Steps

Chase Ink Business cards offer some of the best value in business credit cards. The sign-up bonuses alone can be worth $3,000+ across the three cards.

Start with the card that matches your highest spending category. Then add the others over time. Use category bonuses strategically. Transfer points to partners for maximum value.

The Chase Ink trifecta is a cornerstone of any serious business credit card strategy.

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Need help optimizing your business credit cards? Freedom Consulting helps business owners build strategic card portfolios. Book a free consultation to maximize your rewards.

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Related: 0% APR Funding Strategy | Credit Card Stacking

Disclaimer: Credit card terms change. Verify current offers before applying. Approval depends on creditworthiness.

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Continue Learning

This article is part of our 0% APR Business Funding: How to Access $50K-$300K Interest-Free guide series.

Related articles in this series:

• Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards 2025: Complete List
• Credit Card Stacking: How to Get $100K+ in Business Credit
• Balance Transfer Strategy: Move Debt to 0% APR and Save Thousands