As a small business owner, you’re always on the lookout for ways to maximize your resources and stretch your budget. One of the smartest moves you can make is leveraging a business credit card that rewards you for the purchases you’re already making. Enter the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card from Chase – two powerhouse options that offer outstanding rewards and benefits tailored specifically for small businesses.
But which one is the better choice for your unique business needs? That’s what we’ll explore in this comprehensive comparison. We’ll dive deep into the rewards structures, bonus categories, and additional perks of each card, so you can make an informed decision that will boost your bottom line and keep your business thriving.
READ ALSO: Ultimate Rewards Cards Showdown: Ink Business Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited: The Basics
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover the fundamental similarities between these two cards:
- No Annual Fee: Both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited come with a $0 annual fee, making them an attractive option for small businesses looking to keep costs low.
- Welcome Bonuses: Each card offers a generous welcome bonus for new cardholders who meet the minimum spending requirements within the first few months of account opening. At the time of writing, the Ink Business Cash offers $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, while the Ink Business Unlimited offers $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Introductory APR Offer: Both cards come with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, making them a great option for financing larger business expenses.
- Earn Ultimate Rewards Points: While marketed as cash-back cards, both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited actually earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into the key differences that will help you decide which card is the better fit for your small business.
Ink Business Cash: The Bonus Category Powerhouse
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is all about rewarding you for your business spending in specific bonus categories. Here’s how the rewards structure breaks down:
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit
As you can see, the Ink Business Cash really shines if your business spends heavily in those bonus categories. For example, if you operate a small consulting firm with a physical office, you’ll likely rack up rewards quickly on expenses like office supplies, internet service, and phone bills. Or, if you have a team of salespeople who are constantly on the road, the bonus categories for gas and dining could be a major win.
When the Ink Business Cash Excels
The Ink Business Cash is an excellent choice if your business spending aligns with the following scenarios:
- You have a physical office space and incur significant expenses for office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services.
- Your business involves a lot of travel and entertainment, racking up expenses at gas stations and restaurants.
- You can maximize the bonus categories without exceeding the $25,000 annual cap in each category.
Keep in mind that once you hit the $25,000 spending limit in a particular bonus category, your earning rate will drop to 1% for that category for the remainder of the account anniversary year.
READ ALSO: A Comprehensive Review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card in 2024
Ink Business Unlimited: The Flat-Rate Rockstar
On the other hand, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card takes a more straightforward approach by offering a flat rate of <strong>1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no bonus categories or spending caps to worry about.
When the Ink Business Unlimited Shines
The Ink Business Unlimited is an excellent option if your business spending doesn’t neatly fit into specific bonus categories, or if you’re likely to exceed the spending caps on the Ink Business Cash. It’s an ideal choice in the following scenarios:
- Your business expenses are diverse and don’t align with the Ink Business Cash bonus categories.
- You spend more than $25,000 annually in categories like travel, advertising, or shipping, which would earn higher rewards with the flat 1.5% rate.
- You prefer a hassle-free, no-fuss rewards program without having to juggle bonus categories or spending caps.
The simplicity of the Ink Business Unlimited can be a major selling point, especially for businesses with unpredictable or varied spending patterns.
Crunching the Numbers: Which Card Earns More Rewards?
To determine which card will earn you the most rewards, it’s essential to analyze your business spending patterns and project your annual expenses across various categories. Here’s a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the potential earnings:
Let’s assume your annual business expenses break down as follows:
- Office supplies: $6,000
- Internet/cable/phone: $4,900
- Gas: $4,800
- Restaurants: $9,600
- Travel: $10,000
- Advertising: $5,000
- Shipping: $2,500
- Other expenses: $7,200
With the Ink Business Cash, your earnings would look like this:
- Office supplies ($6,000 at 5%): $300
- Internet/cable/phone ($4,900 at 5%): $245
- Gas ($4,800 at 2%): $96
- Restaurants ($9,600 at 2%): $192
- Travel ($10,000 at 1%): $100
- Advertising ($5,000 at 1%): $50
- Shipping ($2,500 at 1%): $25
- Other expenses ($7,200 at 1%): $72
- Total earnings: $1,080
With the Ink Business Unlimited, your earnings would be:
All expenses ($50,000 at 1.5%): $750
In this scenario, the Ink Business Cash clearly comes out on top, earning $330 more in rewards than the Ink Business Unlimited. However, if your business spending exceeds the $25,000 cap in any of the bonus categories, the Ink Business Unlimited could potentially earn more.
READ ALSO: Chase Ink Business Preferred Card Review 2024: A Powerhouse for Business Rewards
Beyond Rewards: Additional Perks and Benefits
While the rewards structures are the main draw of these cards, they also offer valuable additional benefits that can save your business money and provide peace of mind.
Employee Cards
Both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited allow you to add employee cards at no additional cost. This feature not only helps you keep track of employee spending but also lets you earn rewards on their purchases.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Both cards offer primary auto rental collision damage waiver coverage, which means you’ll be reimbursed for damage or theft to a rental vehicle without having to rely on your personal insurance policy first. This valuable perk can save you money and hassle when renting cars for business trips.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
If you encounter any issues while traveling for business, you can access 24/7 travel and emergency assistance services, which can provide legal and medical referrals, emergency transportation assistance, and more.
Purchase Protections
When making purchases with either card, you’ll enjoy the following safeguards:
- Purchase Protection: Eligible items are covered against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection: U.S. manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less are extended by an additional year.
These protections can provide valuable peace of mind, especially when making significant business purchases.
Redeeming Your Rewards
As mentioned earlier, both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Cash Back: Redeem your points for statement credits or direct deposits into an eligible bank account at a rate of 1 cent per point.
- Travel: Book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where your points are worth 1 cent each.
- Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards from a wide range of retailers and restaurants.
- Amazon.com and Other Shopping: Use your points to pay for purchases on Amazon.com and select other merchants through the Shop with Points feature.
If you hold a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your points to those accounts and unlock additional redemption options like transferring to airline and hotel partners.
The Bottom Line: Which Card Should You Choose?
When it comes to the Ink Business Cash vs. Ink Business Unlimited decision, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice for your small business will depend on your specific spending patterns and priorities.
If your business spending aligns with the bonus categories on the Ink Business Cash (office supplies, internet/cable/phone, gas, and dining), and you can maximize those categories without exceeding the annual caps, the Ink Business Cash is likely the more rewarding option.
On the other hand, if your business expenses are more diverse or exceed the bonus category caps, the simplicity and flat earning rate of the Ink Business Unlimited could make it the better choice.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to analyzing your business expenses and projecting which card will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
And remember, there’s nothing stopping you from applying for and holding both cards, allowing you to take advantage of the strengths of each card and maximize your rewards across different spending categories.
No matter which card you choose, you’ll be well on your way to earning valuable rewards and perks that can help your small business thrive and grow. Happy earning!
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions
Can I get both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited?
Yes, you can apply for and hold both cards simultaneously. In fact, having both cards can be a strategic move, allowing you to maximize rewards across different spending categories.
Do the bonus categories on the Ink Business Cash reset each year?
Yes, the bonus category spending limits ($25,000 for the 5% and 2% categories) reset each account anniversary year.
Can I transfer my Ultimate Rewards points to airline or hotel partners?
Not directly from the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited cards. However, if you also hold a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can move your points to those accounts and then transfer to travel partners.
Is the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited better for travel rewards?
Neither card is specifically designed for travel rewards. However, if you hold a premium Chase card, you can redeem your Ultimate Rewards points at a higher rate for travel through the Chase portal or transfer them to travel partners.
Can I use these cards for personal expenses?
While these are business credit cards, you can use them for personal expenses as well. Just be sure to keep track of business and personal spending for accounting purposes.
