The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card charges no annual fee and returns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with a sign-up bonus of $500 after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.
This card is built for business owners who want simplicity: one cash-back rate across all spending categories, no rotating categories to track, and no annual fee to offset the rewards. The 1.5% return applies to everything — office supplies, software subscriptions, travel, utilities, fuel. You earn the same rate whether you spend $500 or $500,000 in a month.
The trade-off is that you do not get bonus rates on specific categories the way some business cards do. If your business spends heavily on restaurants or travel, a card with 3% back on those categories would return more. But if your spending is mixed or you want to avoid the mental math of category tracking, the flat 1.5% can be simpler and still competitive.
Key Takeaways
- The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, so the 1.5% cash back applies to international purchases without a percentage penalty.
- You need a business tax ID (EIN) or sole proprietor SSN to open the account, and Chase will verify your business information during the process.
- The $500 sign-up bonus requires $3,000 in purchases within the first three months, which is a realistic threshold for most small business spending.
- Cash back posts as a statement credit and does not expire, so you can let it accumulate or use it when ready without losing value.
- The card reports to business credit bureaus, which can help build your business credit profile separate from your personal credit.
How the cash back works and what it is worth
Every dollar you spend earns 1.5 cents back. That cash back appears as a statement credit — you can use it to pay your bill, or request a check. There is no cap on how much you can earn, and the rewards do not expire as long as your account stays open.
To put the rate in context: if your business spends $50,000 per year on the card, you earn $750 in cash back. That is $750 you would not get from a card with no rewards, or from paying by check. The no annual fee means you keep all of it — there is no $95 or $150 annual cost eating into the return.
The sign-up bonus of $500 is worth the same as $33,333 in regular spending at the 1.5% rate. If you are opening a new business account anyway and will spend $3,000 in the first three months (which most businesses do), the bonus is essentially information programs. If you would not naturally spend that much, the bonus is not worth chasing.
Who this card makes sense for
The Ink Business Unlimited works best for owners whose spending does not cluster in a few high-reward categories. If you buy office supplies, pay software subscriptions, cover travel, and pay utilities all from the same card, the flat 1.5% beats cards that offer 2% or 3% in only one or two categories.
It is also the right choice if you want to avoid complexity. Some business cards offer 3% on travel, 2% on internet and phone, 1% on everything else — which means you have to sort your purchases mentally or track them by category. The Ink Business Unlimited removes that friction. You swipe, you earn 1.5%, you move on.
The card is less useful if your business has a clear spending pattern. A restaurant owner who puts 80% of expenses through food and beverage suppliers would earn more from a card offering 3% in that category. A consultant who travels constantly might prefer 3% back on airfare and hotels. But for mixed spending, the flat rate is competitive.
What you need to open the account
Chase requires a business tax ID (EIN) or your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor. You will also need basic information: your business name, address, the nature of your business, and how long it has been operating. Chase does not require a minimum revenue or time in business, so new businesses can open the account.
During the process, Chase will pull your personal credit report and may also check business credit bureaus. The hard inquiry will show on your credit report and may lower your score by a few points temporarily. If you are explore for other credit soon, space out applications by at least a few months.
You can open the account online in about 10 minutes. Chase will tell you when ready whether you are approved, and the card usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days. You can add authorized users (other people who can use the card) at no extra cost, which is useful if you have employees or partners who need to make business purchases.
Annual fee, interest rates, and other costs
There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no fee for adding authorized users. If you carry a balance, the variable APR ranges depending on your creditworthiness and current market rates — Chase does not publish a fixed range, but it is typically in the 18% to 24% range for business cards. You should not carry a balance on this card or any rewards card; the interest you pay will quickly erase the cash back you earn.
Late payments incur a fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones) and will damage your credit. Cash advances have a fee of 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $10. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option.
If you close the account, any unspent cash back remains on your account and can still be used. You do not lose rewards by closing the card, though closing it will lower your available credit and may slightly affect your credit score.
How this card compares to other business cards
The main competitor is the American Express Blue Business Plus, which also offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. The difference is that Amex is not accepted everywhere — many small vendors, restaurants, and international merchants do not take Amex. Chase is accepted far more widely, which makes the Ink Business Unlimited more practical for everyday business spending.
If you want higher rewards in specific categories, the Chase Ink Business Preferred offers 3% back on internet, cable, phone, and travel, plus 1% on everything else — but it charges a $95 annual fee. The Preferred makes sense if you spend heavily in those categories and the extra rewards exceed the annual cost. For most mixed-spending businesses, the Unlimited's simplicity and zero fee win out.
The Capital One Spark Business card offers 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, but it has a lower credit limit for new businesses and is less widely accepted than Chase. The Ink Business Unlimited is the best balance of rewards, acceptance, and simplicity for most small business owners.
How to maximize the cash back
Put all business expenses through the card — office supplies, software, travel, utilities, fuel, meals, everything. The more you spend on the card, the more cash back you earn. If you are currently splitting expenses across multiple cards or paying by check, consolidating onto the Ink Business Unlimited will increase your total rewards.
Use the card for recurring expenses like subscriptions and utilities. These are straightforward to set up once and forget, so they naturally accumulate spending without extra effort. A business with $500 per month in recurring expenses earns $90 per year in cash back just from those charges.
Do not overspend to chase rewards. If you would not normally buy something, do not buy it just to earn 1.5% back. The cash back is a bonus on spending you were going to make anyway, not a reason to increase spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card for personal expenses?
Technically, the card is issued in your business name, so it should be used for business expenses only. Using it for personal purchases could complicate your business accounting and tax records. Keep business and personal spending separate, even if you own the business outright.
Does the cash back count as business income for taxes?
No. Cash back is treated as a reduction in the cost of the items you bought, not as income. If you spend $1,000 and earn $15 in cash back, your actual cost was $985. You do not report the cash back as revenue on your tax return.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A late payment triggers a fee and reports to credit bureaus, damaging both your personal and business credit. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or pay the full balance each month to avoid interest and fees entirely.
Can I transfer the cash back to airline miles or hotel points?
No. The Ink Business Unlimited only offers cash back, not points or miles. If you want to convert rewards to travel, you would need a different card. The cash back stays as a statement credit.
How long does the sign-up bonus take to post?
Chase usually posts the $500 bonus within one to two billing cycles after you meet the $3,000 spending requirement. It appears as a statement credit, not as cash in your account. You can use it when ready to pay your bill.