What the Ink Business Cash Card does

The Chase Ink Business Cash Card is a no-annual-fee business credit card that rewards you with cash back on specific spending categories. You earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend each quarter in combined purchases from a rotating list of categories (then 1% after that), 2% cash back on internet, cable, and phone services, and 1% on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

The card is issued by Chase and designed for business owners, freelancers, and self-employed people who want to separate business spending from personal spending. It reports to business credit bureaus, which can help build your business credit profile over time. You can add employee cards at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 5% cash back on rotating categories (capped at $25,000 per quarter in combined purchases), 2% on utilities and phone services, and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
  • The rotating 5% categories change quarterly and include things like gas stations, restaurants, and office supply stores — you have to set up each quarter to earn the rate.
  • This card works best if you spend heavily in the rotating categories or have significant utility and phone bills, since the 1% baseline is lower than some competing business cards.
  • You need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) or Social Security number to open an account, and Chase will check your personal and business credit.
  • Cash back posts as a statement credit and can be redeemed at any time with no minimum, though you cannot transfer it to travel or other rewards programs.

How the rotating 5% categories work

Each quarter (January–March, April–June, July–September, October–December), Chase designates different spending categories that earn 5% cash back. Recent quarters have included gas stations, restaurants, office supply stores, internet cable and phone services, and wireless phone services. The full list of categories for the current quarter appears in your Chase account online or in the mobile app.

You must set up each category during the quarter to earn the 5% rate. set up takes 30 seconds in your account and is free. If you do not set up, you earn 1% cash back in that category instead. The 5% rate applies only to the first $25,000 in combined purchases across all active categories each quarter; after that, you earn 1% for the rest of the quarter.

For example, if you set up gas stations and restaurants in Q1 and spend $15,000 at gas stations and $12,000 at restaurants, you hit the $25,000 cap partway through the second restaurant purchase. The first $25,000 earns 5%; anything beyond that earns 1%. The cap resets on the first day of each new quarter.

Comparing cash back rates to other business cards

The Ink Business Cash Card's 5% rotating categories are competitive, but the structure matters. The American Express Blue Business Plus Card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category rotation and no cap, which is simpler but lower than 5%. The Capital One Spark Cash for Business offers 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories or caps, which is also simpler and higher than the Ink's 1% baseline.

If you spend heavily in the rotating categories — for instance, $20,000 per quarter at restaurants or gas stations — the Ink Business Cash Card will earn you more cash back than either of those cards. If your spending is spread across many categories or you do not hit the rotating categories often, a flat-rate card like the Spark Cash may earn you more overall.

The Ink Business Cash Card also has no annual fee, which matches the American Express and Capital One cards. None of these cards offer travel rewards, lounge access, or other premium benefits; they are cash-back-only products.

What you need to open an account

To open an Ink Business Cash Card account, you need a business tax ID (EIN) or your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor. Chase will ask for basic information about your business — the type of business, how long it has been operating, and your annual revenue. You do not need to be incorporated; sole proprietors, partnerships, and LLCs all may have access to.

Chase will check your personal credit report and may also check your business credit report if you have one. The card is available to people with fair credit and above, though approval odds are higher with good or excellent credit. There is no minimum credit score published, but Chase typically approves applicants with a score of 670 or higher.

You can explore online through Chase's website. The decision usually comes within minutes to a few days. If approved, the card ships within 7 to 10 business days.

How cash back works and what you can do with it

Cash back posts to your account as a statement credit each month. You can redeem it at any time by requesting a check, having it deposited to your business bank account, or using it as a statement credit toward your bill. There is no minimum redemption amount and no expiration date — cash back stays in your account until you use it.

Unlike some Chase business cards, the Ink Business Cash Card does not let you transfer cash back to travel rewards programs or combine it with points from other cards. Cash back is cash back only. If you want to use rewards for travel, you would need a different card.

Fees and interest rates

The Ink Business Cash Card has no annual fee. The variable APR for purchases ranges from 16.49% to 22.49%, depending on your creditworthiness. There are no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you make international purchases for your business.

Late fees are up to $40 for the first late payment and up to $41 for subsequent late payments. A cash advance fee of 3% (minimum $10) applies if you withdraw cash using the card. Balance transfer fees are 3% (minimum $10) if you transfer a balance from another card.

When the Ink Business Cash Card makes sense

This card works best if you spend at least $25,000 per quarter in the rotating categories and remember to set up them each quarter. If you spend $30,000 per quarter in restaurants and gas stations combined, you could earn $1,500 per year in cash back (5% on $25,000 plus 1% on $5,000). That math changes if your spending is lower or spread across categories that do not rotate.

The card also makes sense if you want to separate business and personal spending for accounting purposes. The statement breaks down purchases by category, which simplifies expense tracking and tax preparation. If you have employees, you can issue them cards at no cost, and their spending counts toward your cash back.

The card is less useful if you spend most of your money in categories that do not rotate, such as payroll or inventory purchases. In that case, a flat-rate card like the Capital One Spark Cash would earn you more cash back with less work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to set up the rotating categories every quarter?

Yes. set up is free and takes about 30 seconds in your Chase account, but you must do it each quarter to earn 5%. If you forget to set up, you earn 1% in that category instead. Chase sends email reminders when new categories are available, but you can also check your account anytime to see the current quarter's categories and set up them.

What happens if I spend more than $25,000 in the rotating categories in one quarter?

You earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases across all active rotating categories, then 1% on anything above that for the rest of the quarter. The cap resets on the first day of the next quarter. For example, if you spend $30,000 in restaurants in Q1, you earn 5% on $25,000 and 1% on the remaining $5,000.

Can I use this card for personal expenses?

Technically yes, but it is a business card issued in your business name, so personal use is against the cardholder agreement. Chase may close the account if they determine you are using it primarily for personal spending. The card is designed for business expenses, and that is how you should use it.

Does the Ink Business Cash Card help build my business credit?

Yes. The card reports to business credit bureaus, which can help establish a business credit profile separate from your personal credit. This can make it easier to get business loans or other credit in the future. However, it also reports to your personal credit report, so late payments or high balances affect both.

What if I close the account — do I lose my cash back?

No. Any cash back you have already earned stays in your account and can be redeemed even after you close the card. However, you stop earning new cash back once the account is closed.