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Jeff got into the points and miles game in 2010 and since then has visited over 35 countries, flying mostly in first and business class. He’s a contributor to Traveling Dad and has spoken at the Chica...
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
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We’ve written many times about how valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points are if you want to upgrade your travel. In general, the more Ultimate Rewards points you earn, the better your travel options will be.
Chase has a suite of business credit cards that can help you earn Ultimate Rewards points for your everyday business spending. If you’re familiar with Chase’s other Ultimate Reward cards, you’ll recognize how the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card combines the best pieces from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. You get the business benefits of the Ink Business Cash card, plus the increased rewards-earning structure of 1.5% cash-back on all purchases as seen with the Freedom Unlimited.
Below, we dive into all of the benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited card to see if it’s right for your wallet.
Ink Business Unlimited Card Benefits
1. No Annual Fee
It’s hard to find a good business card with no annual fee, but the Ink Business Unlimited card delivers. As long as you hold the card, your annual fee will be $0.
2. Welcome Offer and Introductory APR Offer
With a relatively small minimum spending requirement for your business, you can usually get a large amount of points or cash-back right off the bat and get started earning free travel. Further, the card is also one of the best 0 apr business credit cards. Below is the Ink Business Unlimited card’s current welcome offer:
Hot Tip: The Ink Business Unlimited card falls under the umbrella of Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve applied for more than 5 new credit cards in the past 24 months, you are highly unlikely to be approved for this card.
3. Zero Liability Protection
Zero liability protection is just what it sounds like. If unauthorized charges are made using your card or with your card information, you won’t be responsible for those charges.
Hot Tip: Zero liability protection does not apply to charges made by employees of your company with employee cards.
4. Fraud Alerts
Real-time fraud monitoring will help you rest easy knowing that your account is safeguarded. Card transactions are constantly monitored to identify any signs of fraudulent or unauthorized activity. Make sure your email address and phone number are up to date on your online account so you’ll receive fraud alerts right away.
5. Business Card Credit Status
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a business credit card from Chase, not a personal card. You must be either the owner or a member of the executive leadership of a company to be approved for this card.
Whether you have a summer lemonade stand by the local bike trail or you’re a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Chase may be willing to extend credit to you as a business owner. You can be approved as a sole proprietor with just your Social Security number or as a large corporation with an EIN.
You are eligible for a business credit card as long as you have a legitimate business. You should be prepared to answer questions about your business, including gross sales and number of years in business when applying.
The good news is that as a business card, the Ink Business Unlimited card will not appear on your personal credit report after you are approved.
Bottom Line: Every credit card on your personal credit report will affect both the average age of accounts and credit utilization ratio, both of which are used to calculate your personal credit score. Because this is a business card, it will only appear on your business credit report after you’re approved and you won’t have to worry about it affecting your personal credit score.
6. Employee Cards
With no-fee employee cards and the ability to set individual spending limits, you can let your employees purchase what they need while you earn the rewards. Image Credit: Rawpixel.com via Shutterstock
Adding employee cards allows you to give employees the freedom to make purchases on behalf of the business while still being able to control spending. With the Ink Business Unlimited card, you can add employee cards at no additional cost.
By giving your employees their own cards, you can reduce the need for reimbursements while simultaneously earning rewards (that you control) on all of their business spending.
Bottom Line: As your business changes over time, so can your employee cards. You can add or remove employee cards or adjust spending limits on each card at any time.
Rewards Earning
7. Cash-back Rewards
When you earn cash-back rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited card, they are technically awarded in the form of points. For each dollar you earn in cash-back, you’ll receive 100 points.
Although these points are called Ultimate Rewards points, they don’t have the same value as the Ultimate Rewards points that you earn with Chase’s premium cards, which you can transfer to airline and hotel programs. Points earned with the Ink Business Unlimited card are redeemable in several ways, most at a value of 1 cent per point, but they can’t be transferred directly to airline or hotel programs (although there is a workaround for that, mentioned below).
Hot Tip: You can convert Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Ink Business Unlimited card to the more valuable version of Ultimate Rewards points by moving them to another premium card in your Chase account. See our Redemptions Options section below for more information on how to do that.
8. Unlimited 1.5% Cash-back
The Ink Business Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on all eligible purchases made with the card. There are no bonus categories to worry about tracking, and there is no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn.
If you have a premium Chase card in addition to the Ink Business Unlimited card, you can effectively earn more than 1.5% back on all purchases, which we’ll explain later.
Hot Tip: If your business does a lot of spending at office supply stores or on internet, cable, and, phone services, take a look at the Ink Business Cash card. Instead of the 1.5% cash-back you would earn with the Ink Business Unlimited card, you’ll earn 5% in the aforementioned categories on the first $25,000 you spend each year.
9. 5% Cash-back on Lyft
Through March 31, 2025, you can earn 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases, which is a fantastic way to get bonus rewards on rideshare purchases.
10. Rewards Don’t Expire
Your rewards points don’t expire as long as you keep your Ink Business Unlimited card account open. If you want to save up for expensive award flights for your whole family, you don’t have to worry about doing it before your points expire. They will be there when you’re ready to use them.
Redemption Options
Most Ink Business Unlimited card redemption options yield a value of a penny per point. But if you were to pair this card with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, you’d be able to get a much higher value for your points. We’ll look at how to do this below.
Although we usually don’t recommend redeeming your points for 1 cent per point, you may have no choice if this is your only Chase card. Here are the different ways you can redeem your points:
11. True Cash-back
If you want to use the Ink Business Unlimited card as a true cash-back card, you will earn 1.5% cash-back on all of your purchases.
You have the following options available when redeeming your points for straight cash-back:
Statement Credit: You can redeem points for a statement credit at a value of 1 cent each
Bank Account Deposit: Points can be directly deposited to most U.S. bank accounts at a value of 1 cent each
Hot Tip: This card may not be the best option if you are looking for a true cash-back card. There are several business cards available that have better earning rates for cash-back on your purchases in certain business spending categories.
12. Travel Through Ultimate Rewards
You can use your points to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at a value of 1 cent each. There are no blackout dates or restrictions on travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
If you can find a flight, hotel, or cruise, it will be available for booking. Your points can be redeemed for airfare, hotels, cruises, rental cars, premium travel packages, and more.
Hot Tip: Ink cardholders receive access to Chase Dining through Ultimate Rewards. This program offers benefits like exclusive Chase cardmember tables, virtual dining experiences with top chefs, and curated meals to-go.
13. Shop With Points on Amazon
When shopping at Amazon.com, you can redeem your points to instantly pay for all or part of your order, including any taxes or shipping charges. Points redeemed at Amazon are worth 1 cent each. You need to connect your Ink Business Unlimited card account with your Amazon account to use points on Amazon.
14. Gift Cards
If you prefer to redeem the points from your Ink Business Unlimited card for gift cards, that’s an option. Gift cards from over 180 merchants, including Amazon, Apple, Target, Nike, and more are available in a variety of denominations. Points redeemed for gift cards are worth 1 cent each. However, Chase often discounts gift card redemptions, meaning you can sometimes get more than 1 cent per point in value.
15. Pair With Other Ultimate Rewards Cards
Enjoy a beautiful view like this when you transfer points for an amazing redemption. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa. Image Credit: EQRoy via Shutterstock
The points you earn with the Ink Business Unlimited card are not the more valuable transferable type of Ultimate Rewards points. But you can turn your lower-value points into the higher-value version of Ultimate Rewards to get the best value when redeeming your Ink Business Unlimited card points. When redeemed in this way, point values can reach 2, 3, 4, and even 10 cents per point.
Hot Tip: All you need to do to increase the redemption value of your points is pair your Ink Business Unlimited Card with a premium Ultimate Rewards account. You can then move your points over to the premium account and they’ll be transferable to the loyalty programs of any of Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners. Read more for examples of the best redemptions when redeeming Chase points.
You can also use the Chase travel portal, which allows you to book any type of travel with no blackout dates, and get 25% to 50% more value from your points with a premium Chase card.
According to Chase, you’re allowed to combine your points with the following account types:
Another card account in your name
A card account in the name of your spouse or domestic partner
A card account in the name of one of your business partners
Bottom Line: Make the Ultimate Rewards points you earn with your Ink Business Unlimited card far more valuable by moving them over to the account of another premium Ultimate Rewards card within your portfolio. Then, you’ll be able to transfer them to airlines and hotels to redeem for luxury travel at up to 10 times or more in value.
Travel Coverage
16. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Have a roadside emergency and need a tow? Your Ink Business Unlimited card has you covered with 24-hour roadside dispatch service. Image Credit: Mikadun via Shutterstock
When you rent a car for business purposes and pay for the entire rental with your Ink Business Unlimited card, you will get primary theft and collision damage coverage when renting for business and secondary coverage for personal rentals.
You must decline the rental car company’s collision insurance for the coverage from your card to apply. Coverage will be good for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad.
Hot Tip: This is one area where Chase Ink cards are better than many competitors. Primary coverage means this coverage will pay out before your personal or corporate insurance policies if you have a claim. Most cards that provide rental coverage offer secondary coverage that will pay out after other policies.
17. Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
The benefits administrator for your Ink Business Unlimited card can provide legal or medical referrals or other travel and emergency services if you find yourself in trouble when you’re away from home. After your referral, you’ll be responsible for paying for goods or services provided by the individuals or companies referred.
Be sure to call local emergency services first if you’re in immediate danger.
18. Roadside Dispatch
Call the number provided with your card if you have a roadside emergency to be provided 24-hour dispatch services. When you call, you’ll get a free quote for the services you need. If you accept, a pre-negotiated, flat fee of $69.95 will be charged to your Ink Business Unlimited card per service call.
Services available by dispatch include, but are not limited by, the following:
Gas delivery
Lockout service
Jump-start
Tire change
Towing
Winching
Shopping Coverages
19. Purchase Protection
Any new goods purchased with your Ink Business Unlimited card will be protected for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft. Your card will cover you for up to $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per calendar year.
20. Extended Warranty Protection
If you purchase an item with your Ink Business Unlimited card and it comes with a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less, this benefit will extend the warranty by 1 year. Using this coverage is a good way to avoid purchasing extended warranties because you’ll automatically get coverage from your card.
Final Thoughts
If your business makes a lot of purchases that aren’t offered as bonus categories on other cards, and you like the ability to earn travel rewards in addition to cash-back, the Ink Business Unlimited card is definitely something you should consider. Earning 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, not having to keep track of bonus categories, and no limits to the rewards you earn is an enticing offer.
Pair that 1.5x earning with a premium Ultimate Rewards card and the value of your points increases even more. You can then transfer those points to Chase’s airline or hotel partners and get anywhere from 2 to 10+ cents per point when booking luxury travel.
However, if your business spends a lot on bonus categories like travel or office supplies, there are better cards for you. Take a look at the Ink Business Cash card for 5% cash-back at office supply stores or the American Express® Business Gold Card which offers 4x points on multiple spending categories. Note that the Ink Business Unlimited card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, making this product not suitable for frequent international travelers.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ink Business Unlimited card is generally considered a good business credit card. It offers a solid rewards-earning rate on all purchases and benefits that can help save your business money.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is marketed as a cash-back card, but it actually earns Ultimate Rewards points, which can be used for cash-back, travel, or gift cards. These points can even be converted into transferrable rewards points if you also have another premium Chase card like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is marketed towards business owners that have a great to excellent credit score. Although it doesn’t eliminate you from getting approved for this card, it’ll be easier if you have an established business with perfect payment history on your credit report.
It’s probably best to apply if you have at least a 670 credit score, which is defined as a good credit score. A higher score is better, but this is generally the minimum threshold to get approved for the Ink Business Unlimited card.
The minimum credit limit for the Ink Business Unlimited card is $3,000, but we’ve seen credit limits close to $100,000 for certain business owners.
Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
6 comments
Jesse
February 12, 2019
I would like to sign up for this card and get the sign up bonus but I just got bonuses for the other two Chase Ink cards. Does anyone know if I will be able to get an additional sign up bonus on the Ink Unlimited card? If not I may go with the personal Chase Freedom Unlimited card because I’ve had my regular Chase Freedom card for two years so I would be eligible for that bonus.
As long as you haven’t received the sign-up bonus for the Chase Business Ink Unlimited, you are able to get the sign-up bonus again. Thanks for reading!
Karen
February 19, 2019
Chase ink business preferred- does adding an employee to card earn additional points?
Unfortunately, Chase does not currently offer a way to manually see if you are prequalified. If you are already prequalified for a card, they will let you know when you log in to your account.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
6 comments
Jesse
February 12, 2019
I would like to sign up for this card and get the sign up bonus but I just got bonuses for the other two Chase Ink cards. Does anyone know if I will be able to get an additional sign up bonus on the Ink Unlimited card? If not I may go with the personal Chase Freedom Unlimited card because I’ve had my regular Chase Freedom card for two years so I would be eligible for that bonus.
Stephen Au
February 13, 2019
Hey Jesse,
As long as you haven’t received the sign-up bonus for the Chase Business Ink Unlimited, you are able to get the sign-up bonus again. Thanks for reading!
Karen
February 19, 2019
Chase ink business preferred- does adding an employee to card earn additional points?
Katie Seemann
February 19, 2019
Hi Karen,
No, you won’t earn any additional points by adding an employee as an authorized user on your account.
Ricardo
October 05, 2021
Is there any way to get prequalified before I submit the application?
Jarrod West
October 05, 2021
Hi Ricardo,
Unfortunately, Chase does not currently offer a way to manually see if you are prequalified. If you are already prequalified for a card, they will let you know when you log in to your account.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
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