Can I apply if I'm a freelancer or side hustler?

Yep! You don't need an incorporated business to get this card. Freelancers, Etsy sellers, and even Uber drivers can apply using their legal name and Social Security number. This is actually super common.

What credit score do you need for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited?

Chase typically looks for good to excellent credit -- generally a score of 680 or higher -- to approve applicants.

Does the Chase Ink Business Unlimited report to personal credit?

Chase may report to your personal credit bureau if you default or miss payments, but under normal circumstances, your regular business spending stays separate from your personal.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review: Great for Easy Cash Back

Back when I owned a couple of LLCs for my rental property business, I searched high and low for the best business credit card to cover all my expenses. After a lot of digging (and a few rookie mistakes), I found myself right back where I already banked -- with Chase.

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) was one of the first cards I applied for, and it's still the first one I recommend today to side hustlers and small business owners. If you're looking for straightforward, unlimited cash back without annual fees or complicated categories, this card could be the perfect match.

Ratings Methodology

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply Now for Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.

4.50/5

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.

4.50/5

Credit Score:

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Apply Now for Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

17.49% - 23.49% Variable

Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Annual Fee

Welcome Offer

Earn $750 bonus cash back

This card is a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes. There is no annual fee, yet offers an attractive $750 welcome bonus & unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase — that is a straightforward way to earn cash back on everyday business expenses. Plus, you can add employees cards for no extra cost. No wonder it's one of the most popular business cards we've reviewed.
- Big cash back sign-up bonus
- Competitive cash back rate
- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- Free employee cards
- No bonus categories
- Foreign transaction fee
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC

How we rate business credit cards

At Motley Fool Money, we rate business credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and integration with expense-tracking software.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

An average rewards rate above 2% (or 2x points or miles)
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks that make running a business easier, like integration with expense-tracking software, premium travel benefits, and free employee cards.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best business credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

How we rate business credit cards

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

An average rewards rate above 2% (or 2x points or miles)
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks that make running a business easier, like integration with expense-tracking software, premium travel benefits, and free employee cards.

What I like about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Running my rental business was exhausting. Honestly, I didn't have time for "points hacking" or figuring out a complicated rewards system. I just needed a credit card that worked -- and would quietly earn rewards in the background.

That's why I chose the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card over other small business credit cards. Flat cash back, no special tracking, no additional attention required. I could just spend and earn cash back.

Here are the main drivers for getting this card.

Unlimited 1.5% cash back

This card earns a simple 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It's perfect for busy business owners who don't have time to memorize bonus categories.

For example, let's say you spend $50,000 annually on business expenses. You'll get $750 cash back. Easy money.

No annual fee

When you're running a business, every dollar counts. I'm not against paying for great business tools when they're worth it -- but honestly, it's nice having a card that doesn't charge an annual fee. The $0 annual fee means you can carry this card year after year without worrying if you're "getting your money's worth."

Right now, new cardholders can earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

For most small businesses, hitting that $6,000 mark can happen faster than you think. When I first got the card I slapped a $5,500 air conditioner bill on it in the first month! It was sad to pay that bill, but nice knowing a $750 bonus credit was right around the corner.

Pro tip: If you're trying to hit the minimum spend, think about prepaying for things your business will need anyway -- like future supplies, travel, or inventory. With the 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, it's like giving yourself a no-interest loan to spread out those costs. (The go-to 17.49% - 23.49% Variable APR applies at the end of the intro period.)

Downsides you should consider

I honestly don't have much to complain about when it comes to the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. That said, it's definitely more of an entry-level business card -- so you won't find a lot of luxury perks or premium travel benefits like you might with higher-end cards.

No bonus categories

If your business spending is heavily weighted toward a specific category (like gas stations, restaurants, or advertising), you can probably earn a better rewards rate with a category specific card.

Tip: If you want more bonus categories, check out the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.

Limited travel benefits

If travel is a big part of your business, this might not be the best card for you. You won't get airport lounge access, travel credits, and you'll pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. If maximizing travel rewards is a major goal, you might want to pair this card with something like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card down the road.

Is the Chase Ink Business Unlimited worth it?

My two cents: Absolutely.

If you don't want to stress about reward points or different types of spending, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited is totally the card for you. The flat 1.5% cash back rate and $0 annual fee is just easy.

When my rental business started to wind down, I didn't have to worry about annual fees or keeping up high spending to make the card worth it. There's zero stress with this card.

Oh yeah, the sign-up bonus is super generous, too! It's one of the easiest welcome offers to qualify for.

How to apply for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Getting a business card is just like getting a personal card. Here's the full process and what you'll need to apply.

Step 1: Gather your business information

Before you start the application, make sure you have your business details ready. You'll need:

Legal business name (or your own name if you're a sole proprietor)
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.)
Business address and phone number
Industry type and business category
Number of employees
Annual business revenue and estimated monthly spend

Tip: If you're a freelancer or side hustler, don't stress! You can apply using your Social Security number instead of an EIN.

Step 2. Visit the application page

Click this direct link to start. If you're an existing Chase member you can log in with your business credentials. Or, you can just proceed as a guest.

It usually takes about 10 minutes to fill everything out. Chase will ask for your personal information too, like your SSN, date of birth, address, etc. They'll also want to know your position in the company (eg. Owner, Treasurer, President)

Step 3: Complete the financial sections

Chase will want a quick snapshot of your financials. They'll ask how much you plan to spend on the card, and how much income you have (or will have in the future) to cover the card payments.

Be completely honest in this section. Even if your business is brand new with little or no revenue yet, Chase still approves many new businesses based on strong personal credit. (They did for me!)

Step 4: Review and submit your application

Before you hit submit, double-check all your information for accuracy. Typos or inconsistencies can cause delays or even an instant denial. When it's all looking good, submit your application.

You might get an instant decision, but in some cases, Chase might need a few extra days to review everything.

Step 5: Watch for approval (and possible follow-up)

If approved, you should get your Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card in the mail within seven to 10 business days. Occasionally, Chase might request extra documents to verify your business like a utility bill, bank statement, or business license. Just be ready to respond quickly if they reach out!

Overall, the process is quick and beginner-friendly -- you don't need a massive business empire or fancy paperwork to get started.

Final thoughts

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a perfect entry level business card. There's a $0 annual fee, and you'll earn a simple 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

I've been banking with Chase for years. Both personally and for my LLCs. It offers a ton of support for small business owners, and I've had nothing but great experiences with its customer service.

If you want a no-stress way to earn steady cash back from your business expenses, this card is a fantastic choice.

Ready to simplify your business spending? Apply for the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card today.

Review sources

FAQs

Yep! You don't need an incorporated business to get this card. Freelancers, Etsy sellers, and even Uber drivers can apply using their legal name and Social Security number. This is actually super common.
Chase typically looks for good to excellent credit -- generally a score of 680 or higher -- to approve applicants.
Chase may report to your personal credit bureau if you default or miss payments, but under normal circumstances, your regular business spending stays separate from your personal.

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