Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Review: $1,000 Bonus, Up to 2.5% Cash Back

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A Compelling Business Cash-Back Card for Ventures With High Operating Expenses

The Ink Business Premier® Credit Card fills the gap of a high-end business credit card within the Chase Ink business card suite. With a $195 annual fee, the card is geared toward businesses that frequently bankroll costly operating expenses—and stock up on the cash-back rewards. The card offers plenty of value to offset the fee, but it offers less flexibility than other cards. Although the Ink Business Premier technically earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards^® points, cardholders cannot access Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

Still, the Ink Business Premier has its niche for business owners who want to maximize their cash-back earning potential. With up to 2.5% cash back on large business expenses over $5,000 and a flat-rate of 2% cash back on everything else, this card offers a lot of value that can offset the higher annual fee.

Pros

Generous sign-up bonus
No additional cost for employee cards
No foreign transaction fees
Unlimited reward-earning potential

Cons

Annual fee is high
Other business cards could offer greater returns on typical bonus categories, like advertising or shipping costs
Points are redeemable at a fixed 1 cent rate—and cannot be pooled with other Chase cards to access Chase’s 10+ airline and hotel transfer partners

Card Highlights

5% cash back on travel purchases booked through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or greater
2% cash back on all other eligible purchases
$1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening
Complimentary employee cards
Comes with several travel and purchase protections
Flex for Business flexible payment feature
Cell phone protection up to $1,000 per claim
$195 annual fee

Sign-Up Bonus

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The Ink Business Premier card comes with a sizable cash-back sign-up bonus offer:

Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
The sign-up bonus comes in the form of 100,000 points, redeemable for $1,000 cash back.
The bonus posts to your account six to eight weeks after qualifying.

This spending threshold breaks down to roughly $3,333 in monthly spend. Depending on the size of your venture, this minimum may be easy—or borderline impossible—to hit. Fortunately, you can add employee cards for no additional cost, and all employee card spend will count toward reaching the sign-up bonus and racking up ongoing rewards.

Recommended Business Credit Cards

Credit Card	Rewards Rate	Annual Fee	Intro Bonus	Learn More
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply Now	1.5%Cashback More Info Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. The advertised rewards type is cash back, but it’s important to note that you’re technically earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points (which can then be converted to cash back).	$0	$750Cash Bonus More Info Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	Apply Now
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply Now	1% - 5%Cashback More Info Earn 5% cash back on your first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. It also offers you 2% cash back on your first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.	$0	$750Cash Bonus More Info 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	Apply Now
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Apply Now	1x - 3xPoints More Info Earn 3X pts on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X pts on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X pts on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 1X pts on all other purchases.	$99	60,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $840 (60,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)	Apply Now
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply Now	1x - 3xPoints More Info Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 of combined spending in a number of key business categories	$95 More info This fee includes extra cards for authorized users, such as employees, at no additional charge.	100,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $2,300 (100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	Apply Now

Earning Rewards

The Ink Business Premier credit card offers a unique rewards structure:

5% cash back on travel purchases booked through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or greater
2% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Better yet, there’s no limit to the number of cash-back rewards you earn with the card.

The 2.5% cash-back rewards rate is a standout feature for businesses that routinely make sizable purchases chargeable to a credit card. The bonus categories are easy to remember, and you’ll still earn 2% cash back on all purchases that fall under this $5,000 threshold.

Redeeming Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a beloved credit card program known for its varied redemption opportunities. The Ink Business Premier earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be accessed through the online Chase portal.

From there, you can redeem your points for travel, including:

Flights
Hotels
Rental cars
Cruises
Activities

Travel isn't the only option available for points earned. Other card redemptions include:

Cash back as a direct deposit
Statement credits
Gift cards
Pay with Points for select products and retailers
Apple products

In most cases, points are worth 1 cent each. That means 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points are worth $1,000 for any of these aforementioned options. Points never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Unfortunately, points earned with Ink Business Premier are not transferable to other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards to maximize your rewards value. Also, this card does not offer access to Ultimate Rewards transfer partners or an elevated redemption rate for booking travel.

Do Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Expire?

No, the points earned on the Ink Business Premier do not expire as long as you keep your card open.

Card Benefits and Perks

The Ink Business Premier has great benefits geared specifically toward businesses, from tools to monitor your operating expenses to trip insurance:

Flexible spending limits: With the Ink Business Premier, business owners can pay their balance in full every month or pay off eligible purchases over time—with Flex for Business Variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%—up to a set limit through the Flex for Business program.
Business tools: Chase provides business cardholders with tools like 24/7 account monitoring, quarterly spending report and up to 24 months of statement history.
Employee cards: Employee cards are available from Chase at no additional cost.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Covers canceled or interrupted trip expenses in eligible circumstances.
Baggage delay insurance: Provides reimbursement for delayed bags up to a certain limit.
Primary car rental coverage: When you charge the entire rental to your card, you can receive reimbursement up to the cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage.
Roadside dispatch: Call 1-800-847-2869 to dispatch roadside assistance (service fees apply).
Travel and emergency assistance services: Access to legal, medical or other necessary referrals.
Purchase protection: Covers new purchases for 120 days in case of damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty protection: Extends an eligible U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on a product by an additional year (on eligible warranties of three years or less).
Cell phone protection: Up to $1,000 per claim for stolen or damaged phones (subject to a $100 deductible, with a maximum of three claims in a 12-month period).

Drawbacks

The Ink Business Premier does come with several drawbacks and may not be a fit for everyone. Keep in mind the following before making a decision:

High annual fee: At $195, it's the highest annual fee among business cards offered by Chase. It's only worth paying if you earn enough rewards and take advantage of the card's benefits.
Low reward rates on bonus category spend: Other business cards could offer greater returns on typical bonus categories, like advertising or shipping costs.
Can't combine or transfer points: Points are redeemable at a fixed 1 cent rate—and cannot be pooled with other Chase cards to access Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

Annual Fee

The Ink Business Premier has a $195 annual fee, making it the most expensive option in Chase’s business card portfolio. The card offers enough value to make up for the costly fee, provided you take advantage of the bonus offer and card benefits and your business spending habits align with the card's bonus categories.

APR

Ink Business Premier comes with a Flex for Business Variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Flex for Business allows cardholders to use part of their credit limit to cover qualifying purchases paid off over time with interest.

Other Fees

The Ink Business Premier card has no foreign transaction fees: Use the card for purchases when traveling abroad without additional fees.

Making on-time monthly payments helps you avoid expensive late fees charged by Chase. The card carries a late payment fee of $40 or 2% of the minimum payment amount, whichever is greater.

Recommended Credit Score

Chase doesn’t publicly disclose credit score requirements for its cards, including Ink Business Premier. Even with business credit cards, card issuers consider your personal credit score and history during the application process. You'll likely need at least a good to excellent credit score, which is a FICO® Score of 670 and above.

Chase considers other factors when evaluating your application, including the number of cards you've opened and business income earned.

How the Ink Business Premier Compares

If you're unsure if Ink Business Premier is right for you, here's a look at how it compares to other Chase Ink business credit cards.

Compare Chase Ink Business Credit Cards

Credit Card	Intro Bonus	Annual Fee	Rewards Rate	Learn More
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply Now	$750Cash Bonus More Info Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	$0	1.5%Cashback More Info Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. The advertised rewards type is cash back, but it’s important to note that you’re technically earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points (which can then be converted to cash back).	Apply Now
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply Now	$750Cash Bonus More Info 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	$0	1% - 5%Cashback More Info Earn 5% cash back on your first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. It also offers you 2% cash back on your first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.	Apply Now
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply Now	100,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $2,300 (100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	$95 More info This fee includes extra cards for authorized users, such as employees, at no additional charge.	1x - 3xPoints More Info Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 of combined spending in a number of key business categories	Apply Now
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Apply Now	$1,000Cash Bonus More Info Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	$195	Up to 2.5%Cashback More Info Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.	Apply Now

Ink Business Premier vs. Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Depending on your business habits, the Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card may offer more ways to maximize rewards earning. If you regularly spend on office supplies, internet, cable and phone services, you'll get 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in those categories. Businesses with high expenses at gas stations and dining at restaurants will also benefit from 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent. For businesses that spend beyond these limits, you can use this card up to the limits and pair it with another business rewards card to take advantage of bonus rates for all spending.

Ink Business Cash features a smaller sign-up bonus offer of up to $750 cash back: 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.

Since the Ink Business Cash comes with no annual fee, you pay no additional cost each year to earn cash back and access card benefits. It also comes with an introductory APR of 0% for first 12 months on purchases, and a 18.49% - 24.49% (Variable) APR after that, perfect for businesses with upcoming large purchases they want to finance without interest fees.

Choosing between these two Ink cards depends on your annual business expenses and whether you want to pay an annual fee.

Ink Business Premier vs. Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Another option, especially for business travelers, is the Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card. Like the Premier card, Ink Business Preferred comes with a sign-up bonus of 100,000 bonus points, which is worth $1,000. However, the Preferred card has access to all of the Ultimate Rewards benefits missing from the Premier card. The bonus is worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card also allows you to transfer your points to any of Chase's travel transfer partners.

Both cards come with travel and purchase protections and access to useful business tools. At $95, the Ink Business Preferred annual fee is less than half of what you pay with the Ink Business Premier. It has different reward spending categories, too. You earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases each account anniversary year on:

Shipping purchases
Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
Internet, cable and phone services
Travel

All other spending earns 1 point per dollar spent.

Both cards cater to businesses with higher annual business expenses. The Ink Business Preferred credit card is better for business owners who travel frequently and prefer travel redemptions to cash back.

Who Is the Ink Business Premier Good for?

Business owners with high expenditures throughout the year, especially large purchases, will find the Ink Business Premier a worthy addition to their wallet due to its generous sign-up bonus and straightforward rewards structure.

While you can redeem points earned with Ink Business Premier for travel, it's not the best option for business owners who prefer travel redemptions to cash back and other offerings. With no travel transfer partners and no ability to pool points with other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, you're leaving a lot of value on the table with this card compared to other Ink business cards like the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card or Ink Business Cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ink Business Premier is similar to a charge card. Through the card’s Flex for Business program, there’s no preset spending limit. You get increased payment flexibility, and you can pay off your purchases over time with interest.
Yes, the Ink Business Premier is a navy blue metal card.
While Chase does not disclose a specific credit requirement, you’ll want to hold good to excellent credit—or a FICO score of at least 670.
To get approved for the Ink Business Premier, you’ll need to be under Chase’s 5/24 unofficial rule (meaning you’ve opened five cards or fewer in the last 24 months). But once you’re approved for the Ink Business Premier, the card will not add to your 5/24 count.

Marielle Lee

Marielle Lee is a digital nomad, working as a freelance writer in personal finance and travel rewards. Her first job was as a tour guide in France for several years, specializing in the country's great wine regions. After that, Marielle continued on to travel to more than 40 countries, all made possible by leveraging the 10-plus credit cards in her wallet.

Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Review: $1,000 Bonus and Up to 2.5% Cash Back