When it comes to business credit cards, Chase has built a reputation for offering flexible rewards and solid perks. The Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card, however, departs from that tradition with a more straightforward focus on cash back rather than travel rewards flexibility. With a high $195 annual fee, this card may appeal to some high-spending business owners but falls short for those seeking maximum value from travel points.
Overview of Chase Ink Business Premier
The Chase Ink Business Premier is designed for businesses looking to earn cash back on their everyday spending, especially those making significant purchases. Here’s a quick overview of what it offers:
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
- 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more.
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel and Lyft rides (Lyft through March 2025).
- $1,000 cash back (in the form of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points) as a welcome bonus after spending $10,000 within the first three months.
Unlike other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, you can’t transfer the points you earn with this card to Chase’s travel partners like airlines or hotels. Instead, these points are primarily designed for cash back, gift cards, or redemptions through Chase Travel at a rate of 1 cent per point.
Pros and Cons of Chase Ink Business Premier
Pros:
- High earning rate on all purchases (2%) and even higher (2.5%) on large purchases over $5,000.
- No foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international business travel.
- Free employee cards, which allow businesses to accumulate points across all purchases.
- Solid protections, including cellphone protection, purchase protection, and trip cancellation insurance.
Cons:
- High annual fee of $195 with no ability to transfer points to Chase travel partners.
- Not ideal for those looking to maximize travel rewards.
- The welcome bonus requires a significant spending threshold of $10,000 in the first three months.
Benefits and Perks
The Chase Ink Business Premier offers several valuable protections and benefits for business owners:
- Employee cards: Add employee cards for free, allowing for centralized points accumulation.
- Cellphone protection: Coverage up to $1,000 per claim (three claims per year) with a $100 deductible.
- Purchase protection: New purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim.
- Extended warranty protection: Adds one additional year to eligible purchases with a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less.
- Primary car rental insurance: Covers theft or damage of a rental car in the U.S. and most other countries.
However, for the $195 annual fee, the perks are comparable to other business cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which costs only $95 annually and allows points to be transferred to travel partners.
Maximizing Rewards with Chase Ink Business Premier
While the card is not designed for travel hackers, it does offer a straightforward way to earn solid cash back, especially for businesses with high monthly expenses. Here are some ways to maximize its value:
- Focus on large purchases: Take advantage of the 2.5% cash back rate on purchases over $5,000 to get more return on high-ticket items.
- Use for business travel bookings: Booking travel through Chase Travel will earn you 5% cash back, which is significantly higher than the base rate.
Chase Ink Business Premier vs. Competitors
For business owners who value flexibility and travel rewards, this card may not be the best choice. Consider alternatives such as:
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping, and select other categories with a $95 annual fee. Points are transferable to travel partners, giving more value than cash back.
- Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent annually. It has no annual fee and allows point transfers to travel partners.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: This card offers 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases and a $150 annual fee refund if you spend $150,000 annually.
Final Thoughts
The Chase Ink Business Premier card is well-suited for businesses looking for straightforward cash back rewards, especially those with large purchases. However, its high annual fee and lack of transfer options for travel rewards make it less appealing for those seeking to maximize flexibility and value. Business owners who prioritize cash back on everyday purchases and large expenses may find it beneficial, but those looking for more travel perks should explore alternative options.
