Chase Ink Unlimited Review 2023 (Top Business Card)
If you’re an entrepreneur who’d rather focus on their business than stress about their credit card rewards, check out the Ink Business Unlimited® credit card from Chase. This gem keeps things refreshingly simple.
For a $0 annual fee, you’ll get 1.5% cashback on every single purchase you make. You can also get a sign-up bonus of $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Sound like your cup of tea? Read along to see if this is the right pick for you—
This article will show you:
- How the Chase Ink Unlimited card works.
- Its fees, rewards, and benefits.
- The pros and cons you should know before pulling the trigger.
Read more:
Chase Ink Unlimited: Quick Glance
Full name: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for: Smaller business owners who don’t want to worry about whether their rewards are being maximized
Issuer: Chase
Required credit score: Good to excellent (690+)
What is the Chase Ink Unlimited Card?
The Ink Business Unlimited card is the bee’s knees for small businesses.
This no-annual-fee credit card has a simple rewards system: 1.5% cashback on all purchases.
This way, you can earn cashback on business expenses in categories that rarely earn bonuses.
Since it’s tailor-made for small businesses, freelancers and sole proprietors have a better shot at snagging this card.
Here’s a pro tip: Pair the Chase Ink Unlimited card with another Ultimate Rewards card to maximize its value.
How Does the Chase Ink Unlimited Work?
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a treasure trove of perks for new cardholders.
It starts with a 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.24%–24.24%. Balance transfers have a fee of $5 or 5% of the transfer amount.
But the best part is the $750 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 in the first three months.
And that’s not all—you get auto rental collision damage insurance, extended warranty protection, and employee cards at no extra cost.
How to earn rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited
The Ink Business Unlimited card earns you a straight 1.5% cashback on all purchases—so there’s no need to stress about rotating categories or bonus tricks.
But the same rewards rate can be this card’s biggest disadvantage.
For instance, if you’re using this card for airfare, you’re missing out on up to 5x points per dollar that the fancy Chase Sapphire Reserve offers.
The same goes for office supplies and internet bills. If you were using the Ink Business Cash card, you’d get a hefty 5% back on office supplies, internet, cable, phone, and landline services (as well as 2% back on gas and restaurants).
How to redeem rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited
When it comes to cashing in on your rewards, you’ve got a few options: cash, gift cards, travel experiences, or cool stuff from Chase’s rewards program.
If you opt for the cash route, you can get your rewards credited to your statement or whisked into your US checking or savings account.
Every point you redeem for cash, gift cards, or travel is worth a cent.
Not excited yet?
There’s a way you can supercharge your redemption game and get a 3% effective return.
All you have to do is transfer your points to top-notch Ultimate Rewards personal or business cards like the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve.
But remember—the other card needs to be in your name, the owner of your company, or a member of your family to qualify for the point transfer.
Chase Ink Unlimited: Rating
Here’s our quick Chase Ink Unlimited review and overall rating:
Chase Ink Unlimited Fees & Rates
Here are all the key fees you should consider before getting your hands on this credit card:
Fee |
Details |
Annual fee |
$0 |
Security deposit |
N/A |
Sign-up bonus |
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
Intro APR |
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months |
Purchase APR |
18.24%–24.24% (variable) |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% Variable |
Cash advance fee |
Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater |
Balance transfer fee |
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater |
Foreign transaction fee |
3% of each transaction in US dollars |
Returned payment fee |
Up to $40 |
Late fee |
Up to $40 |
Chase Ink Unlimited: Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick glance at all the pros and cons of getting this credit card:
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Sizeable sign-up bonus.
- Easy-to-understand rewards.
- Ability to pair with higher-tier Chase cards for travel rewards.
- Intro APR for purchases.
- Additional benefits.
Cons
- No spending categories.
- Foreign transaction fee.
Pros—why we like it
No annual fee
This card has no annual fee, making it an excellent choice for companies with a small budget.
Sizeable sign-up bonus
You earn $750 in bonus cash after spending $6,000 on purchases during the first three months of account opening. That’s an impressive cash incentive for a card with no annual fee.
Easy-to-understand rewards
You won’t need to worry about spending categories—it’s a flat rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent. You can redeem your points for cash back, valued at 1 cent per point, as a statement credit or direct deposit.
This system rewards program also lets you exchange points for gift cards, book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or use them for Amazon purchases.
Ability to pair with higher-tier Chase cards for travel rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are typically valued at around one cent each. However, top cashback cards from Chase can boost their value when used for travel bookings through Chase:
- The Ink Business Preferred® card: 1.25 cents per point.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 1.25 cents per point.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 1.5 cents.
Although the Ink Business Unlimited® credit card doesn’t qualify for these enhancements, transferring points to one of the other cards will give you better rewards rates when redeeming for travel.
Plus, these special cards offer 1:1 transfers to loyalty programs like United Airlines, British Airways, and Marriott—potentially increasing rewards even further.
Intro APR for purchases
This card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, which is rare for business cards, even those with annual fees. Usually, intro APR offers on business cards last for only six to nine months.
Additional benefits
Here are more benefits the Ink Business Unlimited card can fetch you:
- Purchase protection on new purchases for up to 120 days against damage or theft (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year).
- Extended warranty protection on a US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year.
- Primary rental car coverage when renting for business purposes, in the US and abroad.
- No fee for employee cards.
Cons—what to consider
No spending categories
If you tend to spend more in specific areas like travel or office supplies, you might want to consider a card that gives higher rewards for those categories.
Read more:
Foreign transaction fees
The 3% foreign transaction fee isn’t ideal for globetrotters.
If you are one of them, opt for a business travel rewards card like the American Express Business Platinum Card that doesn’t slap you with any foreign transaction fees.
That way, you can enjoy your international adventures without worrying about extra charges eating into your travel budget.
Chase Ink Unlimited Comparison With Other Credit Cards
Here’s how the Chase Ink Unlimited card compares to other top business credit cards:
Credit card |
Chase Ink Unlimited |
Chase Sapphire Preferred |
American Express Business Platinum |
Annual fee |
$0 |
$550 |
$695 |
Rewards rate |
Unlimited 1.5% cashback on purchases |
10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 5x total points on flights when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3x points on other travel and dining 1x points on all other purchases |
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com 1x point on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus |
Get $750 cash back when you spend $6,000 within 3 months of opening your account |
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership |
Chase Ink Business Cash vs. Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
Chase has two other business credit cards for small businesses.
Here’s how the Business Unlimited card fares against Chase’s other two offerings:
Credit cards |
Chase Ink Business Unlimited |
Chase Ink Business Cash |
Chase Ink Business Premier |
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
$195 |
Welcome bonus |
$750 cash back when you spend $6,000 within 3 months of opening your account |
$750 cash back when you spend $6,000 within 3 months of opening your account |
Earn 1,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
Rewards rate |
1.5% cash back on all purchases |
5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year) 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year) 1% back on all other purchases |
3x points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro APR |
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases |
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases |
N/A |
Regular APR |
18.24%–24.24% (variable) |
18.24%–24.24% (variable) |
19.24%–27.24% (variable) |
Foreign transaction fee |
3% of each transaction in USD |
3% of each transaction in USD |
$0 |
Credit score required |
690+ |
690+ |
690+ |
Chase Ink Unlimited: Useful Links
Chase Ink Unlimited Reviews
Here are some mixed but insightful customer reviews about the Chase Ink Unlimited card:
“The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is an absolutely phenomenal credit card if you’re eligible. The card has a great welcome bonus, has no annual fee, and is the best Chase card for everyday business spending for those in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.”
“Although I have several Chase accounts and a 700+ credit score, I was denied because my business was too new.”
Is the Chase Ink Unlimited Good for Me?
Still wondering if this credit card is the right fit for you?
For entrepreneurs seeking a hassle-free credit card experience, the Ink Business Unlimited® card’s simplicity is a match made in business heaven.
You can say goodbye to complicated bonus category terms that make your head spin.
Plus, this card has some fantastic perks up its sleeve. Not only does it offer a generous sign-up bonus, but it also gives you an introductory 0% APR period on purchases.
That means you can make those big-ticket purchases you’ve been eyeing and take your time paying them off.
Remember
If you’re on the hunt for rewards that will make your wallet sing, this may not be the right choice for you. And there are tons of credit card options out there.
Check out the American Express Business Platinum card. You’ll bag 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, plus 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
FAQ
What’s the credit score needed for Chase Ink Business Unlimited?
You’ll need a good to excellent credit score (which is a FICO credit score of 670+) to qualify for Chase’s Ink business cards.
Not there yet? Learn how you can increase your credit score quickly and how you can build credit using a credit card.
What is the minimum credit limit for Chase Ink Unlimited?
As with all Visa Signature Business cards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card has a minimum $5,000 credit limit—but you can qualify for a higher limit based on your creditworthiness.
Don’t want to deal with credit limit restrictions? Check out charge cards like Capital Venture X Business Card or the Ramp Card instead.
What is the annual fee for Chase Ink?
The Ink Business Unlimited card has no annual fee, making it a suitable business card for smaller companies and entrepreneurs.
Want more credit card options? Check out our list of the best cashback credit cards, as well as top travel credit cards (with no annual fee options).
What is the rule for the Chase Ink bonus?
To get a Chase Ink bonus, you must spend at least $6,000 within the first three months of opening an account.
The bonus amount can vary depending on the exact variant of the Chase Ink card you’re using.
There’s an additional rule that ensures you only qualify for this bonus if you haven’t earned a sign-up bonus on that same Ink card in the past 24 months.
Curious about the other best credit cards from Chase? Check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Capital One Quicksilver® comparison.
Does Chase Ink do a hard pull?
Yes, Chase Ink Preferred does a hard pull on your credit report once you apply for the card.
A hard pull usually results in a slight decrease in your credit score, but only for a short period.
The Chase Ink Preferred card requires at least good credit to get approved.
Read more about different credit score ranges, what a good credit score is, and how long it’ll take to get an 800 credit score.
Does Chase Business Ink pull personal credit?
Although the Ink Business Unlimited card is a business credit card, Chase still checks your personal credit score before making an approval decision.
Of course, you’ll also need business income to qualify. Plus, you also must be at least 18 years old.
Read more about how to establish business credit and how to get a business credit card.
Who is Ink Business Unlimited right for?
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card is a winner for newbie business owners. With its flat-rate rewards and introductory APR offer, you’ve got all the flexibility you need to figure out your spending habits.
When you team it up with a tiered-category business card, you can amp up your long-term rewards game by earning even more on specific expenses.
This is also a great credit card choice for folks who already own a Chase card. With an existing Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards, you can hit the jackpot of points and redemptions.
The Chase Trifecta lets you combine points from all your Chase cards and cash in big time. Treat yourself to some cold hard cash back, or use those points to cover your next epic business trip.