Chase Ink Business No-Fee Cards: Cash and Unlimited Compared
The Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited are both no-fee cards with strong welcome bonuses. Here is how they differ and when each makes sense.
Two of the best no-annual-fee cards available are Chase business cards most people haven't heard of: the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited. Both offer strong welcome bonuses, useful ongoing earning rates, and valuable perks — with no annual fee to worry about. The difference is how they earn points.
The Basics
Chase Ink Business Cash
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
Both cards earn cash back that is actually paid as Chase Ultimate Rewards points — meaning you can transfer those points to travel partners if you also hold a Sapphire card or Ink Business Preferred.
How They Earn Differently
Ink Business Cash
- 5x on office supply stores and internet/cable/phone (first $25,000/year)
- 2x on gas and restaurants (first $25,000/year)
- 1x on everything else
Ink Business Unlimited
- 1.5x on all purchases, no caps
The Cash card is better for businesses with concentrated spending in office supplies and telecom. If you're paying $200/month for internet and phone, the Cash earns 5x on that spending passively.
The Unlimited is better for businesses with diverse spending that doesn't fit the Cash's bonus categories. At 1.5x on everything, it's one of the cleanest catch-all business cards available.
The Case for Both
There's a strong argument for holding both cards simultaneously:
- Use Ink Business Cash for all 5x category spending (office supplies, internet, phone)
- Use Ink Business Unlimited for everything else that doesn't hit 5x on Cash or another bonus card
Combined, you're earning 5x on key business categories and 1.5x as the floor on everything else — with zero annual fees across both cards.
The welcome bonuses are independent: you can earn $750 from each card in different application periods, subject to Chase's eligibility rules (see note below).
Instacart Credits
Both cards include a $20 monthly Instacart credit (through December 31, 2027) and 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ membership upon enrollment. For anyone using Instacart for groceries or other deliveries, that's $240 per year in credits from each card.
The Transfer Partner Connection
On their own, these cards earn cash back. But pair either of them with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, and all points can be pooled and transferred to travel partners.
That means points earned at 5x on your internet bill through the Ink Cash can become United miles or Hyatt points, redeemable at potentially 2–4 cents per point. A no-fee card earning 5x on recurring bills, with the option to transfer to premium travel partners — this is why the Ink cards are so frequently recommended as foundational pieces of a Chase portfolio.
Benefits That Matter
Both cards share:
Purchase protection: Up to $10,000 per claim for theft or damage, 120 days after purchase
Extended warranty: One additional year added to manufacturer warranties of 3 years or less
Primary rental car insurance: Covers the actual cash value of the rental when you decline the agency's insurance
Employee cards: Free, with individual spending limits
Eligibility Note
Chase has tightened rules around welcome bonuses on business cards. You generally cannot earn a bonus on the Ink Cash if you've previously earned the Ink Unlimited bonus, or vice versa. Verify current eligibility requirements before applying. The cards are separate products, but Chase tracks them together for bonus purposes.
Do You Need a Real Business?
No formal business entity is required. Freelance work, consulting, selling items online, or any side income qualifies you to apply. Most sole proprietors apply using their Social Security number as the tax ID. Chase evaluates business cards against your personal credit history.
Bottom Line
The Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited are two of the best no-annual-fee cards available. The Cash earns more if your spending concentrates in office supply stores and telecom; the Unlimited earns more if your spending is diversified. Holding both covers both scenarios with no ongoing cost. Add a Sapphire card to the mix and every point from both Ink cards gains access to transfer partners.
Track this card and all your rewards on Card Curator.