Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content
Advertiser Disclosure Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace.
    |    Accessibility Options

Chase Ink Business Preferred Review: A Powerhouse for Small Business Rewards

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Author: Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Full Time Writer

Joel is a full-time writer at Motley Fool Money, where he brings a clear, approachable voice to topics ranging from credit cards to side hustles. He’s been writing about money since 2018, covering topics like credit cards, savings hacks, and the FIRE movement. Before joining the team, he managed editorial content for the How To Money podcast. When he’s not behind the laptop, Joel is likely at the beach surfing, or out and about with his family.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

Running a business is hard. That's why you want the everyday tools you use to be as easy as possible. If you're a small business owner who spends heavily on advertising, travel, or shipping, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) might be one of the most valuable tools in your financial toolbox.

Let's break down why this card is a favorite among entrepreneurs, and whether it deserves a spot in your wallet.

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Great for: Business travel

Apply Now for Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.24% - 26.24% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 90,000 bonus points

  • This card offers excellent earning potential for businesses looking to earn valuable rewards on everyday expenses. You’ll earn 3X points on travel, shipping, and advertising purchases (up to $150,000 per year), making it a great fit for businesses that invest in growth. With an impressive 90,000-point welcome bonus and access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem, this card helps you maximize rewards. Plus, we like that points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, further boosting the card’s value.

    • Huge sign-up bonus
    • Advertising rewards
    • Shipping rewards
    • Cell phone protection
    • Flexible travel points
    • Card perks
    • Annual fee
    • No intro APR offer
    • Spending minimum for sign-up bonus
    • Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
    • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
    • 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.
    • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
    • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
    • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
    • Member FDIC

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.

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.

What I like about the Chase Ink Business Preferred

This card is especially great for small business owners who travel frequently for work. With 3X points per $1 on lots of popular small business spending categories and great trips protections, you can rack up serious rewards that translate into big travel savings down the road.

And the bar to entry is refreshingly low. Unlike some business credit cards that hit you with a $500+ annual fee, this one keeps it simple with just a $95 yearly cost. That makes it a smart pick for startups, freelancers, and side hustlers who want strong earning potential without committing to a luxury-tier card right out of the gate.

Here's where the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card really shines:

Big welcome bonus

To kick things off with a bang, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has a massive welcome offer for new customers.

Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

That's worth a quick and easy, $900 cash back. Or, $1,125 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

If your business has a few big expenses coming up (like gear, software, or advertising) this bonus alone could offset a big chunk of your costs. It's one of the most generous offers out there for a business card with a sub-$100 annual fee.

3X points per $1 on business categories (and travel!)

Beyond the welcome bonus, the rewards keep coming for everyday business spending.

You'll earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.

That's a huge win for businesses spending heavily in these categories. For every $10,000 you spend on Facebook ads, you're essentially earning $375 in travel rewards.

Points are more valuable through Chase Travel

Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel℠. Booking flights, hotels, and rental cars just got a little cheaper!

You can transfer points 1:1 to travel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest which could stretch those points even further. Many users get even more value this way -- especially when booking business-class flights or luxury stays.

Psst! You can read all about the flexible redemption options in our Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Guide.

Built-in travel and purchase protections

Even more perks that gives you and your business peace of mind:

  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $5,000)
  • Primary rental car insurance (not just secondary)
  • Cellphone protection (up to $1,000 per claim)
  • Extended warranty + purchase protection

For a $95 annual fee card, these protections are actually really solid.

Our Top Business Credit Card Alternate Options

We suggest taking a good look at various options to pick the perfect card for you and your small business. Remember, not all business credit cards are created equal, and every business has unique needs. To help you out, we've put together a short list of top-notch business credit cards that offer great value across a variety of business types.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Earn up to $750 bonus cash back Circle with letter I in it. Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. Earn 5% cash back in select business categories Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular: 17.49% - 25.49% Variable

Apply Now for Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Earn $750 bonus cash back Circle with letter I in it. 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 Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular: 17.49% - 23.49% Variable

Apply Now for Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
150,000 Miles Circle with letter I in it. 150,000 Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening 2X-10X miles Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions. Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One's travel booking site.

Intro:

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular: N/A

Apply Now for Capital One Venture X Business

On Capital One's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Downsides you should consider

While none of these are dealbreakers, there are a couple things to call out here:

High spend requirement for the bonus

If your business is just getting off the ground, you might find it hard to spend $8,000 in the first 3 months to earn the welcome bonus.

No intro APR

Unlike some small biz cards, this one doesn't offer a 0% intro APR. So if you're planning a big purchase and want time to pay it off interest-free, you might want to look elsewhere.

If both of these downsides are important to you, you might want to consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) instead. The welcome bonus is a little easier to earn, and it has a great intro APR.

Is it worth the annual fee?

I think it is, for sure.

Not only does the welcome bonus potentially make up for the annual fee 9X times over, you can easily justify it from all the rewards you'll earn.

Let's say your business spends $50,000 per year on online ads and travel. At 3X points per $1, that's 150,000 points -- worth $1,875 through Chase Travel. That easily outweighs the $95 annual fee.

Plus, the travel protections alone can save you hundreds in one single emergency.

How to apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred

If you don't have a formal LLC or corporation, no worries. Sole proprietors and side hustlers can apply, too. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Get your business details ready

Before starting the application, take a few minutes to gather some basic info about your business. You'll be asked for:

  • Your business name (or your full name if you're a sole proprietor)
  • Business type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.)
  • Tax ID (EIN or your Social Security number)
  • Business address and phone number
  • What your business does (industry and category)
  • Number of employees (it's okay if it's just you!)
  • Annual revenue and estimated monthly expenses

Don't have an EIN yet? No worries -- freelancers and gig workers can apply using their SSN instead. Chase is familiar with small businesses at all stages.

Step 2: Start your online application

Here is the direct link to Apply on Chase's website.

If you're already a Chase customer, you can log in to speed things up. Otherwise, you can apply as a guest.

The whole process takes around 10 minutes, and you'll also need to provide:

  • Your personal contact info (name, address, date of birth)
  • Your role in the business (like Owner or Managing Member)
  • Your total gross income (personal + business)

Step 3: Fill out the financial snapshot

Chase will want a quick overview of your financials. This is stuff like how much you plan to spend on the card and how you'll pay it back.

If your business is still ramping up or isn't profitable yet, be honest. I personally got approved for my first Chase business card and I had ZERO income or revenue. They gave me a $30,000 limit without blinking an eye!

Many applicants are approved based on strong personal credit, not just business income.

Step 4: Double-check and submit

Once you've completed all the sections, review everything carefully. A simple typo (like mistyping your income or address) could delay the process or lead to a rejection. Make sure it's all clean, then hit submit.

You might get an approval instantly. But if not, Chase usually responds within a few business days.

After that, just wait for your new card to arrive. Then activate it and start swiping!

And don't forget to start spending ASAP -- the clock is ticking to earn that welcome bonus!

Final thoughts

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best tools for small business owners looking to rack up travel rewards fast. With high-value points, generous bonus categories, and built-in protections, it earns its keep (and then some.)

If your business spends heavily in the 3X categories, this card could become your go-to for nearly every purchase.

Ready to unlock serious travel rewards? Apply now for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and start earning 3X on those bonus categories!

FAQs

  • Nope! You can apply as a sole proprietor using your Social Security number. Just be prepared to describe your business activity and estimated revenue.

  • Most successful applicants have a credit score of 700+. Chase also considers your business revenue and existing relationship with the bank.

  • Yes! You can combine points with your personal travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve to maximize travel redemptions.

  • In general, Chase Ink cards do not report to personal credit unless the account becomes delinquent. So you won't get the benefit of good usage, but you will get slapped on the wrist for bad usage. Always spend responsibly, no matter the card!