Card Review

Why the Chase Ink Business Cards Are My Favorite Hidden Gem for Families

You might already qualify for a business card — and not even know it.

✍️ By Abby · July 2026 ⏱ 8 min read
Abby in Italy

When most people hear the words business credit card, they immediately think, “I don’t own a business, so this probably isn’t for me.”

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see from beginners is assuming you need a storefront, employees, or a huge company to qualify for a business credit card. In reality, you may already have a business and not even realize it.

You Might Already Qualify

If you’ve ever done any of the following, you may qualify for a business credit card:

  • Sold something on Facebook Marketplace
  • Driven for Uber or DoorDash
  • Photographed weddings
  • Sold crafts on Etsy
  • Resold items on eBay
  • Started a blog
  • Freelanced
  • Tutored
  • Walked dogs
  • Babysat

That opens the door to one of my favorite Chase offers available right now.

Pro Tip
You don’t need a corporation or a storefront. Many people apply as a sole proprietor using their own name as the business name and their Social Security number as the tax ID. If you earn income outside of a traditional employer, that often counts.

The Current Elevated Welcome Offer

Both the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and the Chase Ink Business Cash are currently offering their best public welcome offer ever.

Earn $1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 within the first four months of account opening.

Even better? Both cards have a $0 annual fee.

Bonus Value Unlock
If you already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, that $1,000 cash back can become 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Chase allows you to combine points between eligible cards — and those points can then be transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially even greater travel value. That’s one of the reasons I recommend getting the Sapphire Preferred first, then adding an Ink card later.

Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash

Honestly? Neither card is objectively better. They’re designed for different spending habits. Here’s a quick comparison, then we’ll dig into each one.

Card Best For Annual Fee
Ink Business Unlimited Families who want simple, flat-rate rewards $0
Ink Business Cash Business owners with higher spending in select categories $0
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® $0 Annual Fee

Simple Flat-Rate Rewards

Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no categories to track, no spending caps to manage.

1.5% on every purchase
5% on Lyft rides (through Sept 30, 2027)

Also includes: 0% intro APR for 12 months, free employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranty, and travel protections.

Chase Ink Business Cash® $0 Annual Fee

Bonus Categories for Business Spending

Earn more in the categories where businesses spend most — great if your expenses fit the bonus areas.

5% office supply stores, internet, cable & phone
2% gas stations & restaurants
1% on everything else

Bonus categories are subject to annual spending limits. Great for bloggers paying for internet, phone, and office supplies.

Which Card Would I Choose?

If someone asked me today which Ink card to open first, here’s my honest answer.

  1. 1

    If you just want one card that works everywhere…

    Choose the Ink Business Unlimited. The flat 1.5% on every purchase makes life simple. You never have to wonder if you’re maximizing a category.

  2. 2

    If you spend heavily on internet, phone, or office supplies…

    Lean toward the Ink Business Cash. That 5% back in those categories can add up incredibly fast — especially for bloggers and freelancers.

  3. 3

    Already have the Sapphire Preferred?

    Either Ink card becomes even more powerful. Combine your points into your Sapphire account and transfer to airlines or hotels for outsized travel value.

Neither answer is wrong. It simply depends on where your business spends the most money.

Heads Up
Chase has informal application rules (sometimes called the “5/24 rule”) — if you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months across any bank, Chase may not approve you for a new card. Check your application history before applying.

Ready to Earn $1,000 with No Annual Fee?

This is one of the best public welcome offers Chase has ever made available on the Ink Business cards.

Apply Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

You may qualify even if you don’t think of yourself as a business owner. Gig work, freelancing, selling on eBay or Etsy, tutoring, photography, dog walking, and blogging can all count. Many people apply as sole proprietors using their own name and Social Security number. When in doubt, it’s worth applying and letting Chase decide.
Yes! They’re separate cards and you can hold both. Many points enthusiasts open one now and the other later to earn two separate welcome bonuses. Just be mindful of Chase’s 5/24 rule and make sure you can comfortably meet both spending requirements without overspending.
The “cash back” earned on Chase Ink cards is actually Chase Ultimate Rewards points — they just appear as a dollar value. If you also hold a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, you can combine (or “pool”) those points into that account and unlock the ability to transfer them to airlines and hotel programs. That’s where the real travel value comes from.
Chase doesn’t publish a strict minimum income requirement for Ink cards. When you apply, you’ll enter your estimated annual business revenue — even a small amount of side income counts. Be honest and accurate with what you report. Many people with modest side incomes are approved successfully.

Your Next Step Starts with the Right Card

The biggest surprise for most people is realizing they already qualify. Sometimes all you need is a small business that’s already part of your everyday life.

See the Ink Card Offer →