Some small business owners don’t want to pay for credit card rewards — but fortunately, there are great no-annual-fee cards out there.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is one such no-fee card that delivers solid cashback rewards, particularly if you spend quite a bit on office supplies, phone, internet, and cable.
However, there is an annual cap of $25,000 on its top-earning categories, so if your business spends more than that, you may want to consider a higher-earning (but also likely fee-bearing) business credit card.
Quick Facts: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Rewards rate: 5% cashback on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; 1% on everything else
- Welcome offer: Earn up to $750 bonus cashback: $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months after account opening
- Annual fee: $0
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Overview of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is targeted at small business owners who primarily spend on office supplies, telecom, gas, and restaurants.
You can receive employee cards at no extra cost (while setting limits on employee spending), which is good if you have several employees who would need access to a card.
It also comes with several protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, extended warranty, purchase protection, and emergency travel assistance.
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate on telecom services and office supplies
- Redeem for cashback, gift cards, or travel
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee
- Annual cap on highest-earning categories
- Limited travel insurance protections
LEARN MORE: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Rewards
Rewards are fairly versatile with the Ink Business Cash®, despite being primarily a cash rewards card.
You can have the cashback as a statement credit that reduces your balance owed or have it deposited into a U.S. checking or savings account.
You can also redeem points for travel, Apple products, or gift cards from over 150 brands available through Chase.
LEARN MORE: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Benefits
The Ink Business Cash® card gives you the following benefits at no extra charge:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Get primary coverage reimbursable up to the cash value of the rental car, if you decline the rental company’s collision insurance.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Access information in case of a medical or legal emergency. There are still applicable charges for the services themselves, but the phone line is free to cardholders.
- Roadside dispatch: Call 24/7 to get help with roadside emergencies, such as a flat tire, lockout, or running out of gas.
- Purchase protection: Get 120 days of protection against theft or damage on new purchases, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended warranty: Extend the warranty by one year on purchases with a warranty of three years or less.
- Employee cards: Earn rewards on all purchases made on the account, and set spending limits for each employee.
- Account alerts: Set up customized account alerts to protect your business.
- Transfer points to Chase Ultimate Rewards®: If you have another Chase credit card that offers Chase Ultimate Rewards, you may transfer points to that account. This enables you to redeem points for 25% more than their face value of 1 cent per point if you use them to book through ChaseTravel℠.
Who Should Get the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card?
If you have a relatively high spending level on office supplies, telecom services, gas, and restaurants, but don’t want to pay an annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is perfect for you
Overall, it’s a terrific card for business owners who don’t need flashy rewards but prefer a steady influx of cashback.
Who Shouldn’t Get the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card?
If your business expenses total more than $25,000 in the Ink Business Cash’s primary categories (office supplies/telecom and gas/restaurants), consider a different cash rewards card that will earn you more rewards beyond the $25,000 cut-off.
Also, if you travel frequently for work, some other business cards provide more comprehensive travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, or they may reimburse your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee.
COMPARE: Best Business Credit Cards
Alternatives to the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
- Rewards rate: 3% cashback in your selected category; 2% on dining; 1% on all other purchases
- Welcome offer: $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in 3 months
- Annual fee: $0
. . .
Another cash rewards card for small businesses is the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card.
Similarly to the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, there’s no annual fee. But the difference is you can choose your top-earning categories each month, making it a good alternative if your highest spending category fluctuates.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Rewards rate: 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2% on all other purchases
- Welcome offer: Earn a $2,000 cash bonus when you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual fee: $150 (waived if you spend $150,000 that year)
. . .
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus does charge an annual fee, but you can have it credited back to your account if your business spends at $150,000 in a calendar year.
In exchange for the fee, you get unlimited cashback on all purchases and no foreign transaction fees, which make it better than the Ink Business Cash if you regularly spend on the card internationally.
Note that it’s a charge card, rather than a credit card, so you must pay off the balance in full every month, or else you’ll owe a late fee.
LEARN MORE: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Rewards rate: 3x points on every dollar spent on shipping, advertising with social media and search engines, internet, cable, phone, and travel — up to the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in these categories; 1x per dollar spent everywhere else
- Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Annual fee: $95
. . .
Overall, for a reasonable annual fee, you get a lot more for your money with the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
For one, it has more flexible rewards redemptions than the Ink Business Cash. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to numerous travel partners, as well as receive 25% more for your points when using them through Chase Travel.
The card also beats the Ink Business Cash’s travel perks, with trip cancellation/interruption insurance of up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip, and no foreign transaction fees.
LEARN MORE: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Bottom Line: Is the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Worth It?
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a good card for business owners who don’t want to pay an annual fee and don’t yet need travel perks like trip cancellation insurance.
You’ll earn a high cashback rate on office supplies and telecom services, although there is an annual cap — so calculate if your business spends more than that maximum each year.
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
