Chase Ink cards for
contractors & small business.
If you already spend on materials, ads, fuel, phone and software, those dollars can earn something. Here is how I look at the four Ink cards.
Why a business card, if you work for yourself?
If you’re a contractor, tradesperson, farmer, rental owner, freelancer or run a side business, you can often apply as a small business, usually with your own name and Social Security number. You don’t need an LLC. Your business spending (materials, ads, fuel, phone, software) usually adds up faster than personal spending, so the card has more to work with.
- Keeps business and household spending separate, which makes taxes easier.
- Welcome offers are often large compared to the spending needed.
- Chase business cards generally don’t add to your personal 5/24 count, so they can fit around personal cards. I explain Chase’s rules in my Ultimate Rewards guide.
One caution: only get a card if you can pay the balance in full, and only count spending you were going to do anyway. Never spend extra to chase a bonus.
The four Ink cards
Ink Business Unlimited
$0 annual fee- Flat 1.5% cash back on everything
- Welcome offer on Chase’s page: $750 after $6,000 in 3 months
- Best for: owners who want simple and no tracking
Ink Business Cash
$0 annual fee- 5% on office supplies and internet, cable and phone (first $25K a year), 2% at gas stations and restaurants
- Welcome offer on Chase’s page: $750 after $6,000 in 3 months
- Best for: home-office and online-heavy owners
Ink Business Preferred
$95 annual fee- 3 points on travel, shipping, ads and internet/cable/phone (first $150K a year)
- Welcome offer on Chase’s page: 100,000 points after $8,000 in 3 months
- Best for: owners with ad, shipping or travel spend who want points
Ink Business Premier
$195 annual fee- 2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more, 2% on everything else
- Welcome offer on Chase’s page: $1,000 after $10,000 in 3 months
- Best for: big, occasional purchases like equipment or inventory
Figures are from Chase’s public card pages, last checked October 30, 2026. They can change, so confirm the current offer and terms before you apply.
Which one would I look at first?
- Want simple? Ink Business Unlimited. One flat rate, nothing to track.
- Big phone, internet and office-supply bills? Ink Business Cash.
- Want points that can turn into flights and hotels? Ink Business Preferred, ideally paired with another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. My Chase Ultimate Rewards guide walks through how that works.
- Make occasional big purchases? Ink Business Premier. It’s cash back only, so it doesn’t earn transferable points.
And what about a cruise?
Points don’t go far against a cruise fare, so I usually suggest paying for the sailing in cash and saving the points for flights and hotels. If a business card turns spending you already do into a chunk of points, that’s a nice way to fund the rest of the trip. More on that in Should you use points to pay for a cruise?
Going deeper? Read the best business credit cards for small-business owners or a simple two-card setup for contractors.
I’m not a financial adviser, and this isn’t tax or credit advice. Terms, fees and eligibility are set by the issuer.
Planning a family cruise too?
I’m an independent travel advisor with Fora. Tell me where you want to go and I’ll price it for you. It costs you nothing.