The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card is a no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. Chase issues it as part of the Ink Business suite under the Visa Business network.
The card offers one of the highest no-annual-fee category earn rates in business credit, with the 5% tier targeting two common business operating cost categories.
What the product is structurally
Structurally, the Ink Business Cash is a revolving credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points — displayed as 5%, 2%, or 1% cash back on the card. Like the Ink Business Unlimited, it connects to the larger Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.
When held alongside a premium Chase card (Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve), the earned points can be combined and transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. Without a premium Chase card, points redeem at 1 cent each for cash, statement credits, or travel through Chase Travel.
How it works in practice
The 5% tier applies to office supply store purchases and to internet, cable, and landline phone service charges, combined up to $25,000 per account anniversary year. After reaching the $25,000 limit in those categories, purchases in those categories earn 1%.
Gas stations and restaurants earn 2%, with an identical $25,000 combined annual cap. All other purchases earn 1% with no cap.
The welcome bonus is $750 cash back (75,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $6,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Cell phone protection is included: up to $1,000 per claim (up to three claims per 12-month period, subject to a $100 deductible) when the monthly phone bill is charged to the card.
Fees and pricing mechanics
There is no annual fee. Chase does not charge foreign transaction fees on the Ink Business Cash.
The category caps reset each account anniversary year. Businesses must track spending against the $25,000 limit in each category pair to predict when the earn rate will drop.
The variable APR applies to balances not paid in full.
Limits, eligibility, and availability
Chase’s 5/24 rule applies. Applicants who have opened five or more new personal credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months are typically declined.
Eligibility requires a U.S. business entity and a personal credit evaluation with personal guaranty. The card is not available to non-U.S. residents.
Credit limits are assigned at approval. Employee cards are available at no additional cost.
Tradeoffs, risks, or limitations
The $25,000 combined annual cap on the 5% categories constrains the practical value for businesses with high telecom or office supply spending. A business spending $30,000 per year at the 5% tier would earn at the reduced 1% rate on the excess $5,000.
The 5% rate at office supply stores — including stores like Staples and Office Depot — is particularly notable for businesses that purchase gift cards or prepaid cards at those locations for use elsewhere. This practice, sometimes called “manufactured spending,” is subject to terms and conditions that can change.
Without a premium Chase card, the Ultimate Rewards points earned are worth exactly 1 cent each. The transferable points advantage requires holding a second card with an annual fee, which adds a cost consideration to the optimization strategy.
See also: Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card Review, Chase Ink Business Preferred Card Review
