10 Best Chase Business Credit Cards
Choosing a Chase business credit card is less about “which card is best” and more about which card is best for your exact financial DNA. Every card in Chase’s lineup was engineered with a specific business archetype in mind—from lean startups that crave cash flow stability to established enterprises hungry for uncapped travel rewards.
Key Takeaways: Answers to Overlooked Questions
- One best card? No—the best card is contextual, tied to your spending profile.
- Cash flow stability priority? Ink Business Unlimited®—0% APR and no fee.
- Digital-heavy spending? Ink Business Cash® or Preferred® for 5x/3x rewards on ads & telecom.
- High-ticket transactions? Ink Business Premier® with 2.5% on $5k+ purchases.
- International use? Ink Business Preferred® or Sapphire Reserve for Business℠—$0 foreign fees.
- Travel perks at luxury scale? Sapphire Reserve for Business℠—lounges, credits, protections.
- Best no-fee card overall? Tie: Ink Unlimited® (simplicity) vs. Ink Cash® (bonus categories).
- Points vs. cashback? Preferred® & Reserve℠ unlock transfer partners; Premier® does not.
- Scaling portfolio? Start with Ink Cash/Unlimited, graduate to Preferred®, then layer Reserve℠ if justified.
- Critical gatekeeper? The 5/24 rule—approval requires fewer than five personal cards in 24 months.
1. Best for Cash Flow Optimizers: Ink Business Unlimited®
| Feature 💳 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| 0% APR for 12 months | Lets startups finance inventory or marketing campaigns without interest | Variable APR kicks in after year one |
| Unlimited 1.5x points | Simple structure—no categories to track | Weak for businesses with heavy ad/telecom spend |
| $0 annual fee | No sunk cost—perfect for lean operations | 3% foreign transaction fee limits international use |
👉 Critical Tip: Pair with Ink Preferred® later to “upgrade” those 1.5x points into high-value travel redemptions.
2. Best for Digital-Heavy SMBs: Ink Business Cash®
| Feature 📡 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| 5x on telecom/office supplies | Up to $25k annually = $1,250 in value | Spend cap limits large enterprises |
| 2x on gas & dining | Adds versatility for mobile teams | Same $25k cap applies |
| $0 annual fee | Strong earn rates with no fixed cost | Still carries 3% foreign transaction fee |
👉 Critical Tip: A must-have for businesses with recurring software, phone, or ad spend.
3. Best for Balanced Growth: Ink Business Preferred®
| Feature 🌍 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| 3x on ads, shipping, travel, telecom | Broad categories up to $150k/year | After $150k, drops to 1x |
| Point transfers (14 partners) | Unlocks 2.05¢+ value per point | Requires redemption savvy |
| $95 annual fee | Modest compared to perks | Needs active travel or ads spend to justify |
👉 Critical Tip: This is the lynchpin of the “Chase Business Trifecta.” Without it, UR points stay stuck at 1¢ value.
4. Best for High-Volume Spenders: Ink Business Premier®
| Feature 🏗️ | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5% back on $5k+ purchases | Perfect for equipment or bulk inventory | Rewards cashback only—no transfer options |
| 2% baseline on all else | Outpaces Ink Unlimited® for heavy spenders | $195 annual fee |
| $1,000 welcome bonus | Tailored to high early spenders | High spend threshold: $10k/3 months |
👉 Critical Tip: Premier is a cash machine, not a travel tool. Skip it if you want partner transfers.
5. Best for Luxury Travelers: Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
| Feature ✈️ | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| 200k-point welcome bonus | Worth $4,000+ with partner transfers | Requires $30k spend in 6 months |
| 8x Chase Travel / 4x direct flights | Dominates for frequent fliers | Heavy reliance on portal for max earn |
| Dense credit suite ($795 fee) | Offsets cost if fully used | Wasteful if credits go unused |
👉 Critical Tip: Only viable if you naturally spend in travel + digital ads and use at least 70% of credits.
6. Best No-Fee Duo: Ink Unlimited® + Ink Cash®
| Feature 🤝 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| Catch-all + bonus categories | Covers all non-specialty spending | Still capped at $25k for 5x/2x |
| $0 annual fee combo | No overhead while maximizing rewards | Requires Preferred® later for point transfers |
👉 Critical Tip: For small teams, this is the most capital-efficient starter kit.
7. Best for Ad Agencies & Digital Marketers: Ink Business Preferred® + Sapphire Reserve℠
| Feature 📊 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| Uncapped 3x on ads (Reserve) | Beats Ink Preferred’s $150k cap | $795 fee needs ROI |
| 3x capped (Preferred) | Affordable path for <$150k ad spend | Must track category limits |
| UR transfer access | Access to Hyatt, United, etc. | Complex redemption learning curve |
👉 Critical Tip: If ad spend exceeds $200k annually, the Reserve earns back its fee quickly.
8. Best for International Operators: Ink Business Preferred®
| Feature 🌐 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| $0 foreign transaction fees | Saves 3% on all global purchases | 1x on non-bonus categories abroad |
| Travel insurance suite | Trip cancellation, baggage delay | Requires upfront spend to activate |
| Broad 3x spend areas | Ideal for exporters/importers | $150k cap may limit global traders |
👉 Critical Tip: For companies sourcing overseas, this is the true ROI card.
9. Best for Employee Control & Expense Tracking: Any Ink Card
| Feature 👥 | Why It Wins | Key Caveat ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| Free employee cards | Centralized rewards + controls | Personal guarantee remains on owner |
| Custom limits & alerts | Mitigates misuse | No granular category blocking |
| Bookkeeping integrations | Syncs with QuickBooks, Xero | Limited advanced reporting vs. Amex |
👉 Critical Tip: Ink Unlimited® works best for employees’ general spend since it rewards all purchases evenly.
10. Best Strategic Stack: The Chase Business Trifecta
| Card 🃏 | Role in Strategy | Amplified Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Cash® | 5x on telecom & office | 10.25%+ travel redemption value |
| Ink Unlimited® | 1.5x base everywhere | 3.075%+ travel redemption value |
| Ink Preferred® | Transfer hub & 3x ads/travel | Unlocks Hyatt/United sweet spots |
👉 Critical Tip: This 3-card combo transforms ordinary spend into extraordinary value, delivering returns no single card can match.
FAQs
Q1: “My business is new with $0 revenue—can I still get approved?”
Yes—sole proprietors, freelancers, and side hustles qualify. Chase underwrites using your personal credit + stated business details. Be precise, not aspirational.
| Starter Blueprint 🧩 | What to Enter | Why It Matters | Pro Move 💡 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Structure | Sole prop (okay to use your name/DBA) | Normal for new ventures | Open a free business bank account first |
| Revenue | $0 (if pre-revenue) | Honesty > guesses | List projected monthly spend separately |
| Tax ID | SSN or EIN | Either works | EIN adds separation for vendors |
| Use Case | Inventory, ads, travel | Shows legitimate purpose | Keep sample invoices on hand |
Q2: “SSN or EIN—does it change approval odds or how the account reports?”
Approval hinges on your personal credit (hard inquiry on SSN). Using an EIN does not bypass the personal guarantee. Most Chase business cards don’t report monthly balances to personal credit (late/serious delinquency can appear).
| ID Choice 🆔 | Approval Impact | Credit Reporting Footprint | Guardrail ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSN only | Standard path | Hard pull visible; tradeline usually not | Pay on time—late pays can surface |
| EIN + SSN | Similar odds | Same as above | Keep addresses consistent to avoid KYC flags |
Q3: “What exactly do I say on a reconsideration call?”
Be succinct and verifiable: who you serve, how you make money, and your expected monthly charges by category. Have site/portfolio, invoices, bank statements ready.
| Recon Script 🎙️ | Say This | Don’t Say This | Extra Edge 🌟 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business model | “I resell specialty parts on online marketplaces.” | Vague buzzwords | Provide product links |
| Spend plan | “$4k/mo ads, $1.5k shipping, $800 telecom.” | “I’ll see what happens.” | Offer to move credit from another Chase card |
| Risk comfort | “I value travel protections + expense controls.” | “I want the bonus.” | Mention employee cards/limits |
Q4: “Can I pool points across multiple businesses or with my personal cards?”
Yes—you may combine Ultimate Rewards across your own Chase accounts (business + personal). You can also transfer to one household owner on a shared address. Abusing transfers (e.g., to non-owners) risks shutdown.
| Pooling 🔗 | Allowed | Risk | Best Practice ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your biz ⇄ your personal | Yes | Low, if same owner | Keep names/addresses aligned |
| Your biz ⇄ partner’s card | Only if owner/household rules met | Medium | Document ownership |
| Friends/third parties | No | High | Don’t risk UR forfeiture |
Q5: “How do I stop employee overspend without killing productivity?”
Issue free employee cards with granular per-card limits, real-time alerts, and require receipts for >$X. Route all “catch-all” spend to Ink Unlimited®, and direct telecom/office supplies to Ink Cash® for 5x.
| Control Panel 👥 | Setting | Outcome | Pro Tip 💡 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-card cap | Weekly/monthly limits | Prevents surprise spikes | Separate cards for travel vs. ops |
| Alerts | Amount/MCC/location | Stops misuse fast | Lock cards from the app when needed |
| Accounting tags | By employee/vendor | Clean books at month-end | Export to your bookkeeping tool |
Q6: “Which card actually waives foreign transaction fees?”
Ink Business Preferred® has $0 FTF; Ink Cash® and Ink Unlimited® charge ~3%. Use Preferred® overseas; keep the others domestic.
| Abroad 🌍 | Use | Why | Bonus 💥 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Preferred® | All foreign purchases | $0 FTF + travel protections | 3x on many travel/telecom spends |
| Ink Cash® / Unlimited® | Domestic only | 3% fee abroad hurts ROI | Still perfect for U.S. spend |
Q7: “Is primary rental car coverage really primary on Ink?”
Yes—for business rentals, Ink cards provide primary CDW (the claim triggers before your auto policy). Decline the agency’s collision coverage and pay with Ink.
| Rental Shield 🚗 | Coverage | When It Applies | Fine Print 🔍 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink cards | Primary CDW for theft/damage | Business purpose rentals | Exotics/countries may be excluded—check guide |
| Personal auto policy | Avoided claim if Ink pays | Preserves premiums | Keep rental agreement + card receipt |
Q8: “How do cell phone protections work on Chase business cards?”
Ink Business Preferred® includes cell phone insurance when you pay the monthly bill with the card (coverage caps and a small deductible apply). Save bills, IMEI, police report (theft) for claims.
| Phone Safety 📱 | Trigger | Coverage Snapshot | Tip 🧠 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Preferred® | Pay monthly bill on card | Theft/damage up to stated cap, per claim limits | Add employee lines to the same bill to extend protection |
Q9: “Premier® vs. Unlimited®—which wins if my invoices vary in size?”
If you often make $5,000+ single purchases, Premier® (2.5%) beats Unlimited® (1.5%) handily. If your spend is mostly sub-$5k, Unlimited® can suffice—especially when paired with Preferred® for point transfers.
| Purchase Size 💸 | Premier® (2.5% ≥ $5k) | Unlimited® (1.5% always) | Verdict 🏁 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | 2% cash (baseline) | 1.5% | Unlimited® |
| $5,000 | 2.5% | 1.5% | Premier® |
| $12,000 | 2.5% | 1.5% | Premier® |
Q10: “I spend big on ads—do I cap out Ink Cash® and then what?”
Max the 5x on Ink Cash® (telecom/office), then route ads/shipping/travel to Ink Preferred® for 3x up to its large cap. Beyond that, consider uncapped options or negotiate direct insertion orders with vendors for rebates.
| Ad Ladder 📈 | Step | Why | Next Move 🚀 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ink Cash® (5x telecom) | Cheap stack for infra costs | Keep under annual cap |
| 2 | Ink Preferred® (3x ads) | High cap, transfer partners | Monitor cap pace monthly |
| 3 | Beyond cap | Prevent 1x falloff | Evaluate premium uncapped routes |
Q11: “Does the 5/24 rule really block me—and can I fix it?”
If you’ve opened 5+ personal cards in 24 months, approvals are unlikely. Business cards generally don’t add to 5/24, but you must be under to get one. Remove authorized-user lines (with issuer help) to reduce your count.
| 5/24 Tactics 🧮 | Action | Effect | Caution ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check reports | Count new personal cards | Know if you qualify | Day 1 of month 25 is the reset |
| AU removal | Ask issuer to de-report AU | Lowers count | Can take a cycle |
| Sequence apps | Chase biz first | Preserve slots | Don’t shotgun applications |
Q12: “What purchases put my account at risk of shutdown?”
Avoid cash-like transactions, excessive gift card volume, circular spending, or misrepresenting business purpose. Keep spend aligned with your stated profile and retain invoices.
| Risk Radar 🚨 | Why It’s Risky | Safer Alternative | Habit to Keep ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash equivalents | Breaches terms | Pay vendors directly | ACH/card to legit suppliers |
| Gift card churn | Looks like manufactured spend | Buy only for real ops | Match receipts to GL |
| MCC anomalies | Off-profile spikes | Split cards by team | Periodic spend review |
Q13: “Can I run a two-card stack and still hit top value?”
Yes—Ink Cash® + Ink Preferred® is a lean powerhouse: 5x on telecom/office, 3x on ads/shipping/travel, point transfers unlocked. Add Unlimited® only if your uncategorized spend is large.
| Lean Stack 🧳 | Earn Pattern | Value Engine | When to Add 🧩 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash + Preferred | 5x + 3x + transfers | Hyatt/airline sweet spots | If 1x “everything else” is big, add Unlimited® (1.5x) |
Q14: “How do I document value to my CFO?”
Build a monthly memo: show effective rebate rate by category, the cash value vs. transfer value of points redeemed, and protections (claims avoided).
| CFO Snapshot 📊 | Metric | How to Show | Resonance 💬 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebate rate | (Points × assumed value) / spend | 1.5–2.05¢ valuation bands | “3.1% blended back to P&L” |
| Protections | Claims avoided (phone, trip) | Dollar outcomes | “Insurance offsets fee” |
| Fees | Annual fees vs. credits | Net cost after usage | “Negative net fee achieved” |
Q15: “What’s the first 30-day play to prove ROI?”
(1) Map spend to the right card (telecom/office → Cash; travel/ads → Preferred; all else → Unlimited).
(2) Issue employee cards with limits and alerts.
(3) Redeem first small chunk via high-value transfer (e.g., Hyatt mid-tier stay) to demonstrate >1¢ value.
| 30-Day Sprint ⏱️ | Action | Expected Win | Signal of Fit ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routing rules | Card-by-category policy | Instant uplift in earn rates | Clean month-end report |
| Controls live | Limits/alerts set | Shrinks leakage | Fewer write-offs |
| Showcase redemption | 1 real trip/night | 1.5–2.0¢+ per point | CFO buy-in secured |
Q16: “Do Chase business cards help build my business credit profile, or just personal credit?”
Chase business cards primarily hinge on your personal credit profile for approval (via hard pull on SSN). Once approved, these cards typically do not report monthly activity to personal credit bureaus—unless delinquency occurs. On the business side, Chase reports to Dun & Bradstreet and Experian Business, which helps establish commercial credit history, though it’s not as detailed as Amex’s reporting.
| Credit Impact 🏦 | What Happens | Why It Matters | Expert Edge 🔑 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Credit (Approval) | Hard inquiry + liability under SSN | Determines initial approval odds | Keep utilization low on personal cards pre-application |
| Personal Credit (Ongoing) | No monthly balance reporting (except if default) | Preserves DTI & credit health | Protects your score while scaling |
| Business Credit | Reports as active tradeline | Strengthens commercial creditworthiness | Combine with vendor credit accounts for faster score growth |
Q17: “Are all Ink protections identical, or do benefits scale with the card?”
While all Ink cards carry core protections like purchase protection and extended warranties, benefits scale up with annual fee tiers. The most dramatic jump occurs with Ink Business Preferred®, which introduces cell phone insurance and enhanced travel coverage.
| Protection Layer 🛡️ | No-Fee Ink Cards | Ink Business Preferred® | Ink Business Premier® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Protection | 120 days, up to $10k/item | Same | Same |
| Extended Warranty | +1 year (≤3-year warranties) | Same | Same |
| Auto Rental CDW | Primary (business rentals only) | Primary (global, up to $60k) | Primary (similar limits) |
| Cell Phone Coverage | ❌ | ✅ $1k/claim | ✅ $1k/claim |
| Travel Protections | Minimal | Trip cancel/interruption | Trip cancel/interruption + stronger coverage |
👉 Critical Insight: The $95 annual fee on Preferred® pays for itself quickly if you have multiple phone lines under the business account.
Q18: “How do I decide when to redeem for cash vs. transfer points to partners?”
It comes down to opportunity cost and liquidity. Redeeming for cash (1¢/point) strengthens immediate cash flow. Transfers, however, unlock outsized long-term value—often 2¢+ per point for travel.
| Redemption Mode 💰✈️ | Point Value | When to Choose | Strategic Angle 🎯 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Back | Fixed 1¢ | Cash flow crunch, short runway | Immediate reinvestment into ops |
| Chase Travel Portal | 1.25–2¢ with boosts | Easy bookings, flexible | No blackout dates, still better than cash |
| Partner Transfers | 2¢–5¢+ | Luxury travel, international flights | Long-term asset, high leverage on premium redemptions |
👉 Rule of Thumb: If your opportunity cost of cash >1.5¢/point, take cash. Otherwise, transfer for future travel arbitrage.
Q19: “What’s the hidden cost of the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ if credits go unused?”
The $795 fee only “works” if you actively use the credits. If not, the card’s effective cost skyrockets and you’re essentially overpaying for benefits you don’t consume.
| Credit Suite 🎟️ | Value Potential | Realistic Usage Risk | Effective Loss 💸 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Credit | $300 | High likelihood of full use | Low loss |
| The Edit℠ Hotel Credit | $200 | Only if you book boutique hotels | Moderate |
| ZipRecruiter Credit | $300 | Only valuable if hiring frequently | High if unused |
| Lyft Credit | $100 | Needs consistent rideshare use | Moderate |
| Gift Card Credit | $200 | Must fit pre-set merchants | Moderate |
👉 Critical Insight: If you don’t organically use at least $500 of the credits, you’re effectively paying Amex Platinum-level fees with far less ROI.
Q20: “Is there a risk of Chase shutting down my accounts if I apply for multiple cards quickly?”
Yes—this is where application sequencing matters. While Chase business cards don’t count against your 5/24 tally, aggressive “app sprees” can trigger fraud flags or financial review. Chase prioritizes relationships with sustainable spenders, not churners.
| Sequencing 🗂️ | Risk Level | Best Practice 🧭 |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 cards in 6 months | Low | Normal, safe pace |
| 3–4 cards in 6 months | Medium | Space apps 90+ days |
| 5+ cards in 6 months | High | Red flag, risk of shutdown |
👉 Golden Rule: Lead with Chase business cards while under 5/24, but don’t “stack too fast.” Chase values longevity > volume.
Q21: “What’s the ROI difference between Ink Premier® cashback vs. Ink Preferred® points for a $100,000 spend?”
This is where the divergence between cash simplicity and travel leverage becomes tangible.
| Spend Profile 💵 | Ink Premier® (Cashback) | Ink Preferred® (Points Transfer @ 2.05¢) | Outcome 🏁 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 (large invoices, $5k+) | $2,500 cashback (2.5%) | ~300,000 points → $6,150+ travel value | Preferred® wins if travel is usable |
| $100,000 (mixed <$5k) | $2,000 cashback (2%) | 100,000 points → $2,050 travel | Premier® more reliable |
👉 Critical Insight: For enterprises with predictable large-ticket spend but no travel focus, Premier is king. For travel-savvy firms, Preferred delivers outsized ROI.
Q22: “How do I keep redemption value consistent year after year?”
Inflation and loyalty program devaluations chip away at value. Protect yourself by redeeming strategically and often—points are a currency that loses value over time.
| Stability Plan 📆 | Action | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Redeem annually | Don’t hoard indefinitely | Protects from airline devaluations |
| Diversify transfers | Split UR into Hyatt, United, Virgin | Hedge risk of one program slashing rates |
| Book premium flights/hotels | Max redemption value | Keeps UR at 2¢+ consistently |
Q23: “What overlooked perk actually saves the most money?”
It’s not always flashy lounge access—cell phone insurance on Ink Preferred® often delivers the most tangible, recurring savings, especially if you cover a fleet of employee devices.
| Perk Overlooked 🔍 | Average Annual Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Phone Protection | $300–$500 per business annually | Offsets $95 fee instantly |
| Purchase Protection | $200–$1,000/year (claims) | High-value electronics |
| Extended Warranties | $100–$200/year | Delays costly replacements |
👉 Critical Insight: Businesses often underestimate insurance-like perks, which can outweigh flashy rewards in net savings.
