There are plenty of business credit cards available, making it difficult to decide which is best. Chase loyalists or those looking to open a Chase credit card can choose from four Ink Business cards.
Two of these options are the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees). If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee business card, these are two compelling options.
Both cards are solid offerings. Depending on your business purchases, you may benefit more from one than the other. Let’s explore what sets these cards apart and which card could be the right choice for you.
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash comparison
| Ink Business Unlimited | Ink Business Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| <strong>Annual fee</strong> | $0 | $0 |
| <strong>Welcome offer</strong> | Earn $1,000 in bonus cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. | Earn $1,000 in bonus cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. |
| <strong>Bonus categories</strong> | <ul> <li>5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)</li> <li>1.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases</li> </ul> | <ul> <li>5% cash back on cable and phone services, internet and office supply stores (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1% back)</li> <li>5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)</li> <li>2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1% back)</li> <li>1% cash back on all other purchases</li> </ul> |
| <strong>Redemption options</strong> | Cash back and various Chase portal redemptions, such as travel and gift cards | Cash back and various Chase portal redemptions, such as travel and gift cards |
| <strong>Card benefits</strong> | <ul> <li>Auto rental coverage (when renting for business purposes)</li> <li>Extended warranty protection</li> <li>Purchase protection</li> </ul> | <ul> <li>Auto rental coverage (when renting for business purposes)</li> <li>Extended warranty protection</li> <li>Purchase protection</li> </ul> |
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash welcome offer
Currently, both the Ink Business Unlimited and the Ink Business Cash have the same welcome offer: Earn $1,000 in bonus cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.
You’ll be subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule when trying to open either card. That means you’re unlikely to be approved for either card if you’ve opened five or more personal cards in the past 24 months.
Fortunately, since these are business cards, they won’t count toward 5/24 for you.
Winner: Tie. Both cards have the same welcome offer.
Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash benefits
Neither the Ink Business Unlimited nor the Ink Business Cash provides any statement credits or travel perks. This isn’t unusual for cards with no annual fee.
Both cards offer the same benefits regarding car rental and purchase protection. With both cards, you’ll receive:
- Auto rental coverage: If you use either card for the entire rental cost and travel for business purposes, you’re covered for theft and damage in the U.S. and most countries worldwide up to $60,000 (for cars with an MSRP of $125,000 or less). Remember that this insurance doesn’t offer any liability coverage.
- Extended warranty protection: Purchases with a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less will get coverage for an extra year.
- Purchase protection: If an eligible item is damaged or stolen within the first 120 days after purchase, you’re covered up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per account).
Neither card has any other outstanding benefits, so if you want to book travel with this card, consider using an existing card in your wallet first.
Many cards with annual fees offer more robust travel protections and various statement credits to help you manage travel costs within your budget.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer the same benefits.
Earning cash back on the Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash
This is where these cards start to really differ.
The Ink Business Unlimited has simple earning rates:
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 1.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
The card is suited for a business with purchases across a variety of categories, since it offers an extra 0.5% cash back compared to many other cards, which offer 1% cash back on purchases outside bonus categories.
On the other hand, the Ink Business Cash earns:
- 5% cash back on cable and phone services, internet and office supply stores (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1% back)
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1% back)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Applying is a no-brainer if your business has significant expenses in the Ink Business Cash’s bonus categories.
However, if your business purchases fluctuate month to month or if you make purchases in a wide variety of categories, you’re better off with the Ink Business Unlimited.
Winner: Ink Business Cash. Its bonus categories make it the winner here.
Redeeming cash back on the Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash
Both cards earn cash back, which can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for cash back or other rewards, such as gift cards, statement credits and travel through Chase Travel℠.
There is a more lucrative route to redeeming cash back, which we’ll discuss below.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer the same redemption options.
Transferring rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash
If you’re also a cardholder of the following cards, you can transfer the rewards earned from the Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash to that card:
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees)
From there, you can use Chase’s transfer partners and redeem your rewards for airline award tickets or hotel stays.
As an Ink Business Cash cardholder, I transfer my rewards to my Sapphire Reserve, which then allows me to transfer them to partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
I have previously needed to top up my Sapphire Reserve account before transferring points to Flying Blue, and moving rewards was easy. I logged in to my Ink account and moved the rewards, which occurred instantaneously. From there, I could transfer my points and book a business-class ticket on Air France for 60,000 points.
Should I get the Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash?
If your business has expenses within the bonus categories and spending caps of the Ink Business Cash, then it’s an easy choice since you can use it to maximize your rewards earnings.
On the other hand, if you have purchases in various categories and don’t wish to be bogged down by spending caps on bonus category spending, then the Ink Business Unlimited and its 1.5% cash-back rate are better for you.
How to switch from the Ink Business Unlimited to the Ink Business Cash
Switching between the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash or vice versa is possible.
To switch products, call the customer service phone number on the back of the card and speak with a representative.
However, it is possible to open both cards, allowing your business to use the bonus categories of the Ink Business Cash for some purchases and the fixed 1.5% cash back from the Ink Business Unlimited for all other purchases.
Remember that changing products from one card to another will lock you out of that card’s welcome offer, so I recommend opening both cards instead.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 cards
Bottom line
The Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash are both solid no-annual-fee cash-back cards for business owners.
While you may feel limited by earning cash back only, the rewards earned from either can easily be used for travel with Chase’s transfer partners if you hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card.
If your business would benefit from its bonus categories, the Ink Business Cash is the right choice. Otherwise, go with the Ink Business Unlimited to take advantage of its flat 1.5% cash-back rate.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash.
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited
Apply here: Ink Business Cash
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.