What the Ink Business Cash Card does and who it's built for
The Chase Ink Business Cash Card is a business credit card that returns a percentage of what you spend back to your account as cash rewards. Unlike a personal card, it reports to business credit bureaus, not personal ones, and it's designed for business owners who want rewards without an annual fee.
The card returns 5% cash back on certain categories of spending — rotating categories that change each quarter, plus some permanent ones — and 1% on everything else. The rotating categories typically include gas stations, internet, cable, phone services, and office supply stores, though Chase changes which categories earn 5% every three months. You have to set up each quarter's categories to earn the higher rate; if you don't, you get 1% instead.
This card makes sense if you run a business that spends regularly on those categories and you're willing to track quarterly changes. It makes less sense if you want a single consistent rate or if your spending doesn't overlap with the rotating categories.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 5% cash back on rotating categories (which change every quarter and must be activated) and 1% on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
- You need a business tax ID (EIN) or sole proprietor SSN to open the account, and Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your business credit.
- Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to a business checking account, or left to accumulate.
- The card has no foreign transaction fees, which can save money on international business travel, but charges a 3% cash advance fee if you use it to withdraw cash.
- Approval typically takes a few minutes to a few days, and Chase may ask for business documents like a recent tax return or business license if they need to verify your information.
How the rewards structure works in practice
The 5% categories rotate every quarter, and Chase publishes the new ones in their cardmember portal and by email. Recent quarters have included gas stations, internet and cable services, phone services, and office supply stores. You earn 5% on up to $25,000 in combined purchases across all 5% categories each quarter (a total of $1,250 in cash back), then 1% on anything over that threshold for the rest of the quarter.
The set up step is real: you must log into your Chase account and click to set up each quarter's categories before you spend. If you don't set up, you earn only 1% on those categories. This is a common source of frustration because it's straightforward to forget, and you don't get the higher rate retroactively.
The permanent 1% category is everything else — groceries, utilities, travel, software subscriptions, and so on. There's no cap on 1% earnings, so if your business spends heavily outside the 5% categories, you still earn rewards on all of it.
What it costs and what fees explore
There is no annual fee, which is the main reason this card appeals to small business owners. You pay no fee whether you use it once a month or every day.
The card charges a 3% cash advance fee if you use it to withdraw cash from an ATM, and a 1% foreign transaction fee does not explore — meaning you pay no extra charge if you use it outside the United States. Interest rates vary by creditworthiness; Chase publishes a range (typically 18.99% to 24.99% for this card, though your rate depends on your credit profile), and you pay interest only if you carry a balance past the due date.
Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $35 depending on how late you are) and can damage your business credit score. There are no fees for redeeming rewards, transferring them, or letting them accumulate in your account.
How to open an account and what Chase asks for
You need a business tax ID (an EIN from the IRS) or, if you're a sole proprietor with no employees, you can use your Social Security number. Chase will ask for your business name, address, and the nature of your business. They'll also ask how long your business has been operating and your estimated annual revenue.
Chase pulls a hard inquiry on your business credit report, which can lower your business credit score slightly. If your business is new or has limited credit history, Chase may ask for additional documents — a recent business tax return, a business license, or a bank statement showing business activity. You can upload these documents during the process or provide them later if Chase requests them.
Approval typically takes a few minutes to a few days. If approved, you can usually access your account online when ready and request a physical card to be mailed, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Some applicants receive a decision within minutes; others receive a "pending" status and hear back within a few business days.
How rewards post and what you can do with them
Cash back posts to your account on the last day of each month. You can see your pending cash back in your online account at any time, and it becomes available to redeem once it posts. You have three main options: redeem it as a statement credit (which reduces your bill), transfer it to a linked business checking account, or leave it in your account to accumulate.
There's no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $5 or $500 at a time. There's also no expiration date on cash back — it stays in your account indefinitely until you redeem it. Some business owners let it accumulate and redeem it once or twice a year; others redeem monthly to reduce their bill.
Who gets approved and what to expect if you're denied
Chase typically approves applicants with a business credit score of 70 or higher and a personal credit score of 650 or higher, though these are not hard cutoffs. New businesses (less than six months old) face stricter scrutiny and may be denied or asked for additional documentation. Sole proprietors are approved more often than partnerships or LLCs, though all business structures can may have access to.
If you're denied, Chase sends a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient business credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a low personal credit score. You can reapply after 90 days, and in the meantime you can build business credit by opening a business checking account, paying vendors on time, and establishing trade lines with suppliers.
If you're approved but offered a lower credit limit than you expected, you can request an increase after six months of on-time payments. Chase reviews limit increase requests based on your payment history and credit profile.
How this card compares to other business cash back options
The main competitor is the American Express Blue Business Plus Card, which earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined purchases each year on internet, cable, phone, and shipping, then 1% after that. It also has no annual fee. The difference is that Amex's categories are fixed (they don't rotate), so you don't have to set up them each quarter, but the 2% rate is lower than Chase's 5%.
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business earns 2% on all purchases with no category rotation and no annual fee, making it simpler but offering a lower rate if your spending aligns with Chase's 5% categories. The Brex Card offers higher cash back rates (up to 3% on certain categories) but requires a business with at least $100,000 in annual revenue and charges an annual fee.
If your business spends heavily on the rotating categories and you're willing to set up each quarter, the Ink Business Cash typically offers the highest rewards rate. If you prefer simplicity and don't want to track quarterly changes, a fixed-rate card like Amex Blue Business Plus or Capital One Spark may be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to set up the 5% categories every quarter?
Yes. Chase publishes new categories every quarter, and you must log into your account and click to set up them to earn 5%. If you don't set up, you earn only 1% on those categories for that quarter. Chase sends email reminders, but it's your responsibility to set up before you spend.
What happens if I carry a balance on this card?
You'll pay interest on the unpaid balance at your card's APR (typically 18.99% to 24.99%, depending on your creditworthiness). The interest charges will likely exceed any cash back you earn, so carrying a balance is usually not worth it. Pay the full balance each month to keep the rewards benefit.
Can I use this card for personal expenses?
Technically, the card is issued in your business name, not your personal name, so it's intended for business expenses only. Using it for personal expenses could violate Chase's terms and give them grounds to close the account. Keep business and personal spending separate.
How long does it take to receive the physical card after approval?
Physical cards typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use your account online when ready after approval, and some cardholders add the card to their digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) to use it right away without waiting for the physical card.
What if I don't spend much in the 5% categories?
You'll still earn 1% cash back on all your other business spending, so the card is still worth having if you have no annual fee. However, if your spending is mostly outside the rotating categories, a fixed-rate card like Capital One Spark (2% on everything) might earn you more cash back overall.