What the Chase Ink bonus actually is
Chase Ink cards offer a sign-up bonus in the form of cash back or points that you earn after you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe. The bonus is not money deposited into your account — it is a reward you unlock by meeting the spending requirement, usually within the first three to six months of opening the card.
The specific bonus amount and spending threshold change regularly. Chase has offered bonuses ranging from $200 to $750 in cash back or points equivalent, typically tied to spending requirements between $500 and $5,000. The exact offer available to you depends on which Ink card you are considering, when you explore, and whether Chase is running a promotional period.
The bonus posts to your account after you hit the spending target, not before. You do not receive the money upfront. If you do not spend enough to meet the requirement, you do not receive the bonus at all.
Key Takeaways
- The bonus is earned only after you spend the required amount within the timeframe — usually three to six months — and it posts as cash back or points to your account.
- Different Ink cards carry different bonus amounts and spending requirements, and these change throughout the year based on Chase's promotions.
- You must have a business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, S-corp, or C-corp) to open an Ink card, though Chase accepts newer businesses and sole proprietors with no employees.
- The card carries an annual fee on most versions, which you should subtract from the bonus value to understand your actual benefit.
- Bonus offers are one-time per card product per person, and Chase tracks this across applications — you cannot earn the same bonus twice on the same card type.
Which Ink cards offer bonuses and what they are worth
Chase currently markets three main Ink business cards: the Ink Business Cash, Ink Business Preferred, and Ink Business Unlimited. Each has a different bonus structure and annual fee.
The Ink Business Cash typically offers a bonus in cash back (not points) with a lower spending requirement, often around $500 to $750 in spending. It has no annual fee, which means the full bonus is yours to keep. The bonus is straightforward: cash back dollars that appear in your account.
The Ink Business Preferred offers a higher bonus in points, often worth $600 to $750 in value depending on how you redeem them. It carries a $95 annual fee, so your net benefit is the bonus minus that fee. The points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or transferred to Chase travel partners, which affects what the points are actually worth to you.
The Ink Business Unlimited offers a smaller bonus, typically $300 to $500 in cash back, with no annual fee. It is designed for ongoing cash back rather than a large upfront bonus.
Bonus offers change throughout the year. The amounts and spending thresholds you see today may differ in three months. Check the current offer on Chase's website before you explore, because the bonus you see at the time of your process is the one you will receive if you meet the requirement.
How to earn the bonus: the spending requirement and timeline
After you open the card, you have a specific window — usually three to six months — to spend a certain amount. Common thresholds are $500, $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000, depending on the card and current promotion. Every purchase you make on the card counts toward this total, including business expenses and personal purchases.
The bonus posts automatically once you cross the spending threshold. You do not need to request it or submit proof of spending. Chase tracks your balance in real time, and the bonus appears in your account within a few days of hitting the requirement.
If you do not spend enough before the important date, you forfeit the bonus entirely. There is no partial credit. If the requirement is $3,000 and you spend $2,900, you receive nothing. Plan your spending carefully or use the card for expenses you were already going to pay anyway.
The timeline matters because it affects your strategy. A three-month window is tighter than a six-month one. If you have irregular business expenses, a longer window gives you more flexibility. Check your card agreement for the exact important date.
Who can open an Ink card and earn the bonus
You must have a business to open an Ink card. Chase defines "business" broadly: it includes sole proprietorships (self-employed people with no employees), LLCs, S-corporations, C-corporations, and partnerships. You do not need to be a large company or have employees.
Chase will ask for a business tax ID (EIN) or your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor. They will also ask about your business type and how long it has been operating. Newer businesses are generally accepted — Chase does not require you to have been in business for a minimum time, though they may ask about revenue.
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. Chase will pull your personal credit report and may also check business credit, though business credit history is not required for approval.
One important restriction: you can earn the sign-up bonus only once per card product per person. If you earned the Ink Business Preferred bonus three years ago, you cannot earn it again. Chase tracks this across all your applications, so opening the card under a different business name does not reset the restriction. However, you can earn bonuses on different Ink products — for example, you could earn the Preferred bonus and later earn the Cash bonus.
Annual fees and whether the bonus is worth it
Two of the three main Ink cards carry annual fees. The Ink Business Cash has no annual fee. The Ink Business Preferred charges $95 per year. The Ink Business Unlimited has no annual fee.
When you calculate whether a bonus is worth pursuing, subtract the annual fee from the bonus amount. If the Ink Business Preferred offers a $750 bonus and costs $95 per year, your net benefit in year one is $655. In year two and beyond, you are paying $95 annually just to keep the card open, so you need to earn at least that much in ongoing rewards to break even.
Many people open a card for the bonus, meet the spending requirement, and then close the card before the annual fee hits. Chase typically charges the annual fee on your card anniversary (one year after opening), so you have time to decide whether to keep it. If you close the card before that date, you avoid the fee. However, closing a card affects your credit utilization and average account age, so weigh that cost against the fee.
If you plan to keep the card long-term, the ongoing cash back or points you earn must justify the annual fee. The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on certain categories (travel, internet, cable, phone, and gas stations) and 1 point per dollar on everything else. At typical redemption rates, you need to spend several thousand dollars per year to earn back the $95 fee in rewards.
How the bonus compares to ongoing rewards
The sign-up bonus is a one-time event. After you earn it, your card's value comes from the ongoing cash back or points you earn on regular spending. These are two separate things, and it is important not to confuse them.
The Ink Business Cash earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases in bonus categories each year (then 1% after that), with categories rotating quarterly. The Ink Business Preferred earns 3% on travel and internet services, 1% on everything else. The Ink Business Unlimited earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Some people chase bonuses across multiple cards over time, earning a bonus every year or two by opening a new card, meeting the requirement, and moving on. This strategy works if you have the spending volume and can manage multiple accounts. Others open one card, earn the bonus, and keep it for the ongoing rewards. The right choice depends on your business spending and how much time you want to spend managing cards.
What happens after you meet the spending requirement
Once the bonus posts to your account, it is yours. You can use it when ready or let it sit. If you earned cash back, it appears as a statement credit or can be transferred to a linked bank account. If you earned points, they sit in your Chase account until you redeem them.
After the bonus period ends, the card works like any other business credit card. You earn rewards on purchases, pay interest on any balance you carry, and are responsible for the annual fee (if there is one) on each anniversary.
If you decide to close the card, do so after the bonus posts and after you have confirmed the annual fee will not be charged. Closing a card does not affect the bonus you already earned — it is yours to keep. However, closing a card does lower your total available credit and can slightly impact your credit score, so consider keeping it open if the annual fee is waivable or if the ongoing rewards justify the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I meet the spending requirement by paying bills or transferring money?
Most purchases count, but balance transfers and cash advances do not. Bill payments made through the card count as regular purchases. If you pay a vendor or contractor with the card, that counts. The safest approach is to use the card for normal business expenses you were already planning to pay.
What if I do not meet the spending requirement before the important date?
You do not receive the bonus. There is no partial credit or extension. The important date is firm. If you are close to the requirement, you can make planned purchases early or use the card for expenses you were going to pay anyway, but Chase will not extend the window.
Can I earn the bonus if I already have another Chase business card?
Yes, you can hold multiple Ink cards at the same time. However, you can earn the sign-up bonus only once per card product. You cannot earn the Ink Business Preferred bonus twice, but you could earn the Preferred bonus and the Cash bonus in separate applications.
Does the bonus count as business income for tax purposes?
This depends on your tax situation and how the IRS treats credit card rewards. Generally, credit card rewards are not considered taxable income, but you should consult a tax professional or accountant about your specific situation. The bonus does not appear on a 1099 form from Chase.
What if Chase denies my process?
Chase may deny an process based on credit history, income, or other factors. If denied, you can call the reconsideration line to discuss your process, though this does not may provide approval. You can also wait and reapply later. Each process generates a hard inquiry on your credit report, so multiple denials in a short time can lower your score.