Small business owners who regularly spend on office supplies, internet, phone, and cable services have a clear winner in the no-annual-fee business card category. The Chase Ink Business Cash earns 5% cash back in those categories, carries a $750 welcome bonus, and has no annual fee. But there are caps, rules, and restrictions worth knowing before you apply.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase |
| Network | Visa (open loop, accepted anywhere Visa is) |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Intro APR | 0% on purchases for 12 months from account opening |
| Ongoing purchase APR | 16.74%–24.74% variable |
| Balance transfer fee | Greater of $5 or 5% of transfer amount |
| Cash advance fee | Greater of $15 or 5% of advance amount |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% of each transaction |
| Rewards — Tier 1 | 5% cash back on office supply stores + internet/cable/phone services, first $25,000/year |
| Rewards — Tier 2 | 2% cash back at gas stations + restaurants, first $25,000/year |
| Rewards — Base | 1% cash back on all other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $750 after $6,000 in purchases in first 3 months |
| Score typically needed | Good to excellent (670+); Chase 5/24 rule applies |
| Reports to bureaus | Business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, etc.); generally not personal bureaus unless delinquent |
All figures as of June 2026 based on Chase.com disclosures and CNBC/NerdWallet reporting. APRs vary by creditworthiness. Terms and conditions apply.
Welcome Bonus: $750 After $6,000 Spend
The sign-up offer is $750 cash back when you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. That is $2,000 per month, which is realistic for most small businesses with regular vendor bills, software subscriptions, internet, or supply runs.
One important restriction: if you have previously held the Ink Business Cash, the Ink Business Unlimited, or any other Chase Ink card without an annual fee, you may not be eligible for the welcome bonus on a new application. Check the "not available" language on the application page before applying.
As of March 27, 2026, Chase Ink cardholders can no longer transfer cash-back rewards to an outside bank account. Rewards can still be redeemed as a statement credit, a deposit to an eligible Chase checking or savings account, or toward travel booked through Chase Travel.
The 5% Cash Back: Where It Shines (and Its Cap)
The 5% earn rate covers:
- Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax)
- Internet, cable, and phone services (your ISP, cable provider, and cell phone bill)
This is genuinely useful for many small businesses. A company paying $500/month for internet and phone services earns $25 per month or $300/year from that spending alone.
The critical caveat: the 5% rate applies only to the first $25,000 in combined purchases across both categories per account anniversary year. After that cap, purchases in those categories drop to 1% cash back. For most small businesses, $25,000/year in office supplies plus phone and internet is an achievable but not easy-to-blow ceiling.
The 2% category (gas stations and restaurants) also has a $25,000/year cap.
0% Intro APR: 12 Months on Purchases
New cardholders get 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months. This is true 0% APR, not deferred interest, meaning interest genuinely does not accrue during the intro period on purchases. After 12 months, the rate jumps to 16.74%–24.74% variable depending on your creditworthiness.
This intro period can be valuable for businesses that need to make a large upfront purchase (equipment, inventory, office setup) and want time to spread the cost without interest.
Annual Fee: $0
There is no annual fee, which makes this card easy to hold long-term. The ongoing 5% earn rate in key categories provides value even without a bonus, as long as your business spending fits the categories. For a broader look at no-fee options in this class, the best business credit cards for small business guide compares the leading options.
Who Should Apply?
The Ink Business Cash is a strong fit for:
- Freelancers and sole proprietors who pay for internet, software subscriptions, and phone services monthly
- Small businesses with regular office supply spending at Staples or Office Depot
- Business owners who want a no-fee card with a meaningful bonus and intro APR period
It is a weaker fit for:
- Businesses whose spending is heavy in categories outside the 5% and 2% tiers
- Frequent international travelers (the 3% foreign transaction fee is a real cost). The Chase Ink Business Unlimited foreign transaction fee article explains how other Ink cards handle international spending differently.
- Businesses that have already held the card or another no-fee Ink card (bonus ineligibility)
Approval Requirements
Chase uses the 5/24 rule on business cards: if you have opened five or more personal or business credit cards in the past 24 months, Chase will typically decline your application regardless of credit score. This is a strict filter, and it catches a lot of applicants who are otherwise creditworthy.
Beyond 5/24, you need good to excellent personal credit (typically 670+ FICO). Chase will pull your personal credit report even for a business card. You do not need a formal LLC or corporation to apply. A sole proprietorship, freelance work, or side hustle qualifies as a business for this card. New businesses can find a broader overview in the best credit cards for new businesses guide.
Key Limitations to Know
Foreign transaction fee: The 3% foreign transaction fee is meaningful if you do any international business travel or purchase from international vendors. Cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred ($95/year) or Ink Business Unlimited do not charge this fee.
Cash back, not transferable points: The Ink Business Cash earns cash back, not Chase Ultimate Rewards points. However, if you also hold a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred), you can link the accounts and convert your Ink Cash rewards into transferable points. This is a significant upgrade for travel redeemers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve comparison shows what those transferable points unlock at the premium tier.
Redemption restriction (as of March 2026): Cash back can no longer be transferred to an outside bank account. It redeems as statement credit, Chase bank deposit, or travel through Chase. This is a notable change from prior years.
The Bottom Line
The Chase Ink Business Cash is one of the strongest no-annual-fee business cards available in 2026. The $750 welcome bonus is compelling, the 5% earn rate in office supply and internet categories is genuinely useful, and the 0% intro APR gives new cardholders a runway for large purchases. The category caps, 3% foreign transaction fee, and 5/24 rule are real limitations, but for a domestic-focused small business with moderate office supply and telecom spending, this card consistently outperforms competitors in the no-fee tier. For startups weighing their first business card, the best business credit cards for startups guide offers a useful starting framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What businesses qualify for the Chase Ink Business Cash?
Chase accepts a wide range of business types, including sole proprietors, freelancers, independent contractors, and side hustle operators. You do not need a registered LLC or formal business entity. You will use your Social Security number as the business identifier if you are a sole proprietor. Chase may ask for business revenue and monthly spending estimates on the application.
Does the Chase Ink Business Cash report to personal credit bureaus?
Typically, no. Chase reports Ink Business Cash activity to business credit bureaus, not the three personal bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), unless the account becomes delinquent. This means on-time payments on this card may not directly boost your personal credit score, though the hard inquiry at application will appear on your personal credit report.
Can I pair the Ink Business Cash with another Chase card to get better redemptions?
Yes. If you hold a premium Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can link your Ink Cash account and convert cash back earned into Ultimate Rewards points. Those points can then be transferred to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, potentially increasing the value of your rewards significantly.
What is the Chase 5/24 rule and how does it affect the Ink Business Cash?
Chase's 5/24 rule automatically declines applicants who have opened five or more new credit card accounts (personal or business) in the past 24 months. This rule applies to the Ink Business Cash and most other Chase cards. You can check your approximate new account count by reviewing your personal credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com before applying.
