November 22, 2024
A basic cash-back card for small business owners #CashNews.co

A basic cash-back card for small business owners #CashNews.co

Cash News

If you own a small business, a business credit card can help you track your finances and earn extra rewards. While some business credit cards can have expensive annual fees, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card has no annual fee at all, making it a good choice for freelancers and other small business owners with tight budgets.

Plus, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card has added benefits, like promotional APR offers on new purchases and a flat cash-back rate on your purchases.

  • Annual fee

    $0

  • Welcome offer

    Earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months

  • Card type(s)

    Business, Travel

  • Introductory Purchases APR

    0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months

  • Ongoing Purchases APR

    18.49% – 24.49% Variable

  • Recommended credit score

    Good, Excellent

  • Benefits

    • $0 annual fee
    • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (18.49% – 24.49% variable APR after that)
    • You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information

Despite having no annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card offers some valuable benefits:

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver: If you turn down the rental car company’s coverage and pay for the rental with your card, you’ll get free auto rental collision damage insurance.

  • Extended warranty protection: On qualifying purchases with warranties of three years or less, Chase will automatically extend the warranty by one year.

  • Purchase protection: New purchases are protected against damages or losses from theft for 120 days from the purchase date, up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

  • Roadside assistance: The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card gives you access to roadside assistance without a membership fee. This service can help if your car breaks down and you need a tow or a spare tire.

  • Travel and emergency assistance: If you’re traveling and need help with legal referrals or medical attention, you can contact Chase’s travel and emergency assistance hotline for recommendations.

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card is a great choice for business owners who don’t want to worry about keeping track of changing bonus categories or different cash-back rates. You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase, so you can use it to purchase office supplies and electronics, pay for your internet service, and earn cash-back rewards.

You can redeem your cash-back rewards in the following ways:

  • Cash: Redeem your points rewards for statement credits or direct deposits to your checking or savings account.

  • Gift cards: Redeem points for gift cards to major restaurant and retail chains.

  • Travel: Use your points to book airline tickets, hotel accommodations and cruises through the Chase Travel portal.

  • Pay with points: Select retailers allow you to use your points at checkout to cover some or all of your purchase.

When you redeem your points for cash, gift cards or travel, each point is worth one cent each. But if you use your points to pay for items at checkout, they may be worth less.

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card is a good fit for freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners who want a basic rewards card without an annual fee. You’ll earn a simple cash-back rate on all purchases, and you can redeem your rewards for cash, travel, or gift cards. The card also has added benefits, like car rental insurance and roadside assistance.

Business owners who tend to spend significant amounts in certain categories, such as dining out with clients or business travel, may be better off with a rewards card that offers higher rewards rates in those categories.

  • No annual fee: The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card doesn’t have an annual fee, so you don’t have to pay a fee just to have the card in your wallet.

  • Simple rewards: Some cards can be confusing, with complex rewards and point redemption programs. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card is simpler, with easy redemption options.

  • Added travel benefits: The card has surprisingly robust benefits for a card without an annual fee, including car rental insurance, extended warranty protection and purchase protection.

  • Charges foreign transaction fees: If you travel to other countries for work, be aware that this card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.

  • High spend requirement for new cardmember offer: To qualify for the new cardmember sign-up bonus, you must spend at least $6,000 on new purchases in three months. For freelancers and microbusiness owners, that spending requirement may be difficult to meet.

  • No promotional APR for balance transfers: Although the Ink Business Unlimited Card offers a promotional APR on purchases, it doesn’t offer a 0% APR on balance transfers.

You can make a payment online, through the Chase mobile app, by calling customer support or by sending a check in the mail:

Cardmember Services

P.O. Box 6294

Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

If the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card isn’t a good fit for you or your business, consider these alternatives:

  • Annual fee

    $0

  • Welcome offer

    Earn $350 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months

  • Card type(s)

    Business, Cash-Back

  • Introductory Purchases APR

    0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months

  • Ongoing Purchases APR

    18.49% – 24.49% Variable

  • Recommended credit score

    Good, Excellent

  • Rewards rate

    • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
    • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
    • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Benefits

    • Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
    • Get a 10% bonus on the cash back you earn in your first year if you have a Chase Business Checking account on your card anniversary (available on cards opened between March and November 2024)

Why we like it: Similar to the Ink Business Unlimited Card, the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card has no annual fee. But it has a tiered rewards structure, making it a better option for those who spend more money on office supplies, internet or cable service, gas and restaurant meals.

Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

  • Annual fee

    $0

  • Welcome offer

    15,000 points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months

  • Card type(s)

    Business

  • Introductory Purchases APR

    0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

  • Ongoing Purchases APR

    18.49% – 26.49% Variable

  • Recommended credit score

    Excellent, Good

  • Rewards rate

    2x points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners (applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x after that)

  • Benefits

    • $0 annual fee
    • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (18.49% – 26.49% variable APR after that)

Why we like it: With no annual fee, the Blue Business Plus card is an appealing option with an easier-to-earn new cardmember offer; you can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards Points if you spend at least $3,000 on purchases or services within three months of account opening. Plus, you’ll earn two points per $1 spent on the first $50,000 of purchases, and one point per $1 spent after that (see rates and fees; terms apply).

Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

  • Annual fee

    $199

  • Welcome offer

    Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, and an additional 40,000 points when you spend $15,000 in 9 months

  • Card type(s)

    Travel, Airline, Business

  • Ongoing Purchases APR

    21.49% – 28.49% variable

  • Recommended credit score

    Excellent/Good

  • Rewards rate

    • 4x on Southwest purchases
    • 3x on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
    • 2x on rideshare
    • 2x on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
    • 1x on all other purchases
  • Benefits

    • 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
    • 4 upgraded boardings per year when available

Why we like it: If you’re willing to pay its $199 annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card is a useful option for frequent travelers. You can earn a higher rewards rate on Southwest Airlines purchases, hotel stays and car rentals from Chase partners, social media and advertising, and transit and rideshare services. It also has extra benefits that the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card doesn’t offer, such as a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit and lost luggage reimbursement.

Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken


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