Chase Ink Cash vs. Ink Unlimited: Which Card Should You Choose?

Introduction to Chase Ink Cards

Chase provides two enticing no-annual-fee credit cards designed for businesses: the Ink Business Cash® and the Ink Business Unlimited®. While both cards share several similarities, they cater to different spending needs and can offer optimal benefits for various business types.

Common Features of Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited

Both cards come with no annual fee, a rarity in today’s credit card market. Additionally, they offer the same welcome bonus program, allowing you to earn $1,000 in cash back (equivalent to 100,000 points) when you spend $8,000 within the first four months of opening your account. This is considered one of the best rewards programs for no-annual-fee cards.

Interestingly, although marketed as cash-back cards, you can convert cash back into Ultimate Rewards points, where each point is valued at 1.7 cents. This means that the value of each card can reach up to $1,700 thanks to this conversion feature—an unbelievable figure for a no-fee card.

Comparing Points Earning Potential

The Ink Business Cash card is most beneficial if your business spends heavily on internet, phone, cable services, or office supplies, offering 5 points for every $1 spent in those categories, up to $25,000 each year. On the other hand, Ink Business Unlimited is better suited for those with a more diverse range of spending, providing 1.5 points for every $1 spent.

Personally, I use the Ink Cash card for expenses like phone bills and office supplies, while my Ink Unlimited card sees less use. However, this doesn’t mean that the Ink Unlimited card lacks benefits for those with different spending habits.

Costs and Limitations of Using the Cards

Both cards incur a 3% foreign transaction fee, making them less advisable for payments made abroad. If you’re looking for a card without foreign transaction fees, you might want to consider the Ink Business Preferred®. This is crucial for those who frequently travel internationally.

The Real Value of Reward Points

With the Ink Cash card, you can earn up to 125,000 points in a year if you maximize your spending in the bonus categories, which is equivalent to $2,125 at the valuation of 1.7 cents per point. This is an impressive figure for a no-fee card. However, keep in mind that outside of the bonus categories, the base earning rate is only 1 point for every $1, which doesn't compete with other cards that offer higher rates.

How to Choose the Right Card

When deciding between Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited, you should clearly consider the type of spending your business engages in. If you have significant expenses in specific areas like office supplies and phone services, Ink Cash would be the smarter choice. Conversely, if your expenses are more varied, Ink Unlimited will likely provide greater long-term benefits.

It’s also worth noting that if you hold other Chase reward cards, you can gain more value from the rewards of both cards through flights, hotels, or partner services. Transferring points between Chase cards is straightforward and can be easily done through their website.

Helpful Information for Vietnamese Travelers

If you are a Vietnamese entrepreneur looking to open an international credit card, there are some important considerations such as card opening requirements, income needs, and residency status in the U.S. Currently, Chase does not support remote card applications for Vietnamese citizens; you must be present in the U.S. to complete the process. Additionally, currency conversion fees should be taken into account when using cards abroad.

A comparison chart of the benefits and limitations of each card will provide you with a clearer overview to decide which card best fits your spending needs. Be sure to consider carefully to maximize the benefits that credit cards can offer.

Article referenced and edited from: One Mile at a Time