Ink Business Preferred
We analyzed the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to help business owners determine if its high-value point system justifies the annual fee. In this review, you’ll discover how to leverage its 3x earning categories and the strategic benefit of 1:1 point transfers to premium travel partners.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Chase
- Annual Fee
- $95
- APR Range
- 21.24% – 26.24% Variable
- Welcome Bonus
- Earn 100,000 to 120,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate
- 3x points on shipping, advertising, travel, and telecom; 1x on all other purchases
- Massive welcome bonus offers high initial value for business expenses
- 1:1 point transfers to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Substantial primary rental car insurance and cell phone protection benefits
- High $150,000 annual cap on 3x bonus categories fits many mid-sized businesses
- High spending requirement to trigger the welcome bonus
- 3x earning cap hits at $150,000 in annual combined purchases
- No intro 0% APR period on purchases or balance transfers
Annual Fee Explained
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card carries a $95 annual fee, which is relatively modest compared to premium business cards that often charge $250 to $695. For most business owners, the fee is easily offset by the card’s 25% redemption bonus on travel and its comprehensive insurance protections. For example, the cell phone protection alone can save a business hundreds of dollars in repair or replacement costs.
To maximize the value of the annual fee, businesses should ensure they are utilizing the card for their primary ‘Big Four’ expenses: shipping, advertising, travel, and telecommunications. Earning just 3,200 points in these categories (roughly $1,070 in spending) and redeeming them through Chase Travel covers the $95 fee. For businesses spending significantly more, the rewards earned quickly outpace the cost of ownership.
APR Range Analysis
The APR for the Ink Business Preferred is a variable rate, typically ranging from 21.24% to 26.24% based on creditworthiness. Unlike some other business cards in the Ink suite, this card does not offer an introductory 0% APR period. This means it is best suited for businesses that plan to pay their balance in full each month to avoid high interest charges.
Because this is a rewards-focused card, carrying a balance can quickly negate the value of the points earned. If your business needs to finance large purchases over several months, you might consider pairing this card with the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited, which often feature introductory 0% APR offers on purchases.
Welcome Bonus Details
The current welcome bonus offers 100,000-120,000 bonus points (depending on the specific seasonal promotion) after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. At a minimum, 100,000 points are worth $1,000 in cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel.
Meeting the $8,000 spending requirement requires a plan. Business owners should timing their application with large quarterly tax payments, inventory restocking, or major equipment purchases to ensure they hit the threshold without overspending. Once earned, these points can be pooled with other Chase cards, such as the Sapphire Preferred or Freedom Flex, to maximize redemption potential.
Rewards Program
The rewards structure is designed for growth-oriented companies. You earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year across four key categories: shipping, social media/search engine advertising, travel, and internet/cable/phone services. All other purchases earn a flat 1 point per $1.
The true power of this card lies in its redemption flexibility. Points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to leading travel partners like United Airlines, Southwest, and Hyatt. Alternatively, booking through the Chase Travel portal provides a 25% boost in value (1.25 cents per point). This flexibility makes Ultimate Rewards one of the most valuable point currencies in the industry for business travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Points are generally worth 1 cent each for cash back, but their value increases to 1.25 cents when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. You can potentially get even higher value by transferring points 1:1 to airline and hotel partners.
The 3x points apply to the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year on combined purchases in shipping, advertising (social media and search engines), travel, and select telecommunications (internet, cable, and phone services).
Yes, this card offers up to $600 per claim in cell phone protection against theft or damage for you and your employees listed on your monthly bill, provided you pay the bill with the card. There is a $100 deductible and a limit of 3 claims per 12-month period.
No, the Ink Business Preferred has $0 foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international business travel or purchasing from overseas vendors.
Yes, you can add employee cards at no additional cost. You can also set individual spending limits for each employee card and earn rewards on all their business-related purchases.