If you're a business owner who frequently makes large purchases or books travel through a corporate account, the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card may be worth a close look. While it doesn’t offer travel rewards flexibility like some of its Chase siblings, it makes up for that with powerful cash-back potential and flexible payment options.
Let’s dive into what makes this card appealing—and what might make you look elsewhere.
1. Card Overview
The Ink Business Premier is Chase’s flagship flat-rate business credit card. It launched with the intention of filling a gap in the marketplace: high-earning rewards without rotating categories or complicated point transfers. The card offers:
-
High-value rewards for large transactions
-
A sizable sign-up bonus
-
Flexible payment with a charge-card-like structure
-
Solid travel and purchase protections
Unlike most Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, this one is cash-back only—you can’t transfer your points to airline or hotel partners. This makes the Ink Business Premier more of a premium cashback tool than a travel hacker's card.
2. Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $195 |
| Sign-up Bonus | $1,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards Structure | 5% on Chase Travel bookings, 2.5% on $5K+ purchases, 2% on everything else |
| Point Redemption | 1 cent per point; no transfers to partners |
| APR & Payment Terms | Must pay in full monthly (Flex available for select purchases) |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None |
| Employee Cards | Free, with customizable spending limits |
3. Sign-Up Bonus
New cardholders can earn $1,000 in cashback after spending $10,000 within the first three months. This is a high threshold, but the reward is equally substantial. If your business already spends at that level, this bonus should be easy to capture.
Many cards in this category offer similar bonuses, but Chase's one-time reward stands out due to its simplicity—no categories, no restrictions, and you get a full $1,000 in cash value.
4. Earning Rewards
This card shines in its reward structure, especially for businesses that make large purchases.
-
5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel (includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and more)
-
2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more
-
2% back on all other business purchases
These are flat rates, meaning no rotating categories or activation is required.
Why 2.5% Is Special
That 2.5% tier for $5,000+ purchases is a rare find. Most flat-rate business cards max out at 2%. If you routinely make high-dollar purchases—such as buying equipment, inventory, or covering vendor contracts—you could see your cashback earnings add up fast.
For example, if you charge $100,000 in purchases at $5,000+ each, that earns you $2,500 back—$500 more than a standard 2% card.
5. Redemption Options
Although the card technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, they're locked to a value of 1 cent per point, and you can’t transfer them to:
-
Chase travel partners (e.g., United, Hyatt, Southwest)
-
Other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards like Sapphire Preferred or Ink Preferred
This simplifies redemption, but also removes the potential to maximize travel redemptions by transferring points.
Redemption Options Include:
-
Statement credits (cash back)
-
Direct deposit into a bank account
-
Travel via Chase Travel (still just 1¢ per point)
-
Gift cards
For many businesses, especially those looking for simplicity, cash back is all they need. But if you're a travel rewards enthusiast, this limitation might be a dealbreaker.
6. Flex for Business: A Hybrid Payment Option
Although the card operates like a charge card—meaning you’re generally expected to pay your balance in full each month—it also includes Flex for Business, a unique feature that lets you pay over time for qualifying purchases.
Key details:
-
Available for eligible purchases
-
APR varies (~18%–26% based on creditworthiness)
-
Not every purchase qualifies for Flex
This provides flexibility for managing cash flow, especially if you need time to pay off a large transaction but want to avoid opening a separate business loan.
7. Fees and Costs
-
Annual Fee: $195 (not waived the first year)
-
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
-
Flex APR: Variable, depending on credit profile
There’s no intro 0% APR, so if you’re looking for a card to float interest-free purchases, this one isn’t ideal. However, the card’s high reward rates help offset the annual cost if you use it regularly.
8. Travel and Purchase Protections
Even though it’s not a travel card in the traditional sense, the Ink Business Premier includes some valuable protections that business owners will appreciate:
-
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (Primary coverage)
-
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (up to $5,000 per person)
-
Extended Warranty Protection (adds 1 year on warranties of 3 years or less)
-
Purchase Protection (120 days of protection against theft/damage, up to $10,000 per claim)
-
Cell Phone Protection (up to $1,000 per claim when you pay your bill with the card)
These perks are especially useful for business owners on the go or companies issuing employee cards.
9. Employee Card Features
You can issue free employee cards and set individual spending limits for each user. Employee purchases also earn rewards at the same rates as the primary cardholder.
This makes the Ink Business Premier an efficient way to consolidate spending across multiple departments or staff members.
10. Who This Card Is Best For
The Ink Business Premier is designed with high-spending businesses in mind. It’s not for everyone—but it’s perfect for you if:
-
Your business regularly makes large purchases ($5,000+)
-
You prefer cash-back simplicity over travel reward optimization
-
You don’t mind the $195 fee because your rewards will offset it
-
You want the security of travel protections and purchase insurance
-
You book travel through the Chase portal and want that 5% bonus
11. Who Might Want to Skip It
On the other hand, this card may not be ideal if:
-
You want to transfer points to travel partners
-
You carry a balance and would benefit from 0% APR intro offers
-
Your monthly spending is under $5,000, meaning you’d miss the 2.5% tier
-
You prefer earning rewards on specific business categories (like advertising, internet, shipping, etc.)
12. Alternatives to Consider
If the Ink Business Premier doesn’t align with your needs, here are some solid alternatives:
Chase Ink Business Preferred®
-
$95 annual fee
-
Earn 3x points on categories like advertising, shipping, and travel
-
Transfer points to Chase travel partners
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
-
$150 annual fee
-
2% flat cash back on everything
-
No point transfers, but great for straightforward earn-and-burn
American Express Blue Business Plus®
-
No annual fee
-
Earn 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000/year
-
Points can transfer to Amex travel partners
Each of these cards has its own strengths—Ink Preferred is better for travel lovers, while Spark Cash Plus is a strong 2% flat-rate card with simpler rewards.
13. Example Earning Potential
Here’s how much a business spending $15,000/month could earn with the Ink Business Premier:
-
$5,000 travel via Chase Travel → 5% = $250
-
$5,000+ purchase → 2.5% = $125
-
$5,000 at 2% = $100
Total monthly earnings: $475
Annual earnings: $5,700
Minus annual fee: $5,505 net cash back
This kind of performance makes the $195 annual fee seem small, especially when compared to what you’d earn from a 1.5% or 2% flat-rate card.
14. Final Verdict
The Chase Ink Business Premier® is a strong contender for businesses with big monthly budgets. Its 2.5% cash back on large purchases sets it apart in a competitive field, while its 2% flat rate on everything else adds consistency.
It won’t satisfy travelers looking to squeeze extra value from transfer partners, but it’s ideal for business owners who want cash back, high spending power, and flexible payment options—without the fuss of rotating categories or complex point systems.
If your business regularly spends more than $5,000 per month—and especially if you book travel through Chase—it’s hard to beat the efficiency and value this card offers.
Read More: -
.jpeg)
