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The
Chase Ink Cash Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
Along with a huge welcome bonus offer, the
If you spend a lot in the bonus categories, the
Before you decide on the
If you don't mind paying a
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Chase Ink Cash Rewards
Welcome bonus offer
The
How to earn rewards
With the
- 5% cash back (5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
- 2% cash back (2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- 1% cash back (1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point per dollar) on all other purchases with no cap
Even though the card is advertised as a cash-back credit card, you'll actually earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are worth 1 cent each when you redeem them for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
So you're effectively earning 1 cent per dollar (1% cash back) spent in non-bonus categories, and 2 cents or 5 cents per dollar (2% or 5% cash back) in eligible bonus categories. Your points accrue in your card account and never expire as long as the account is open.
You don't have to redeem your points for cash back — and you'll have even more redemption options if you have certain other Chase cards.
How to use rewards
Chase makes it incredibly easy to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Just access your account online and navigate to the rewards page. There, you'll see options to book travel, purchase gift cards, get a statement credit, or deposit cash into your checking account. Your points are worth 1 cent each for these options.
You'll also see that you can use your points for Apple merchandise or on Amazon. If you redeem for Apple products, you'll generally get a rate of 1 cent per point. But each point is worth less than 1 cent when you use them to shop on Amazon, which is a poor value. Amazon makes it easy (and tempting) to use your points this way, but it's usually the worst deal of them all. The best redemptions are to pay for your next trip or simply get cash directly in your account.
If you have other Chase cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the
You'll also have access to the Chase Pay Yourself Back feature, where you can redeem points for a better value toward eligible everyday purchases (depending on the card you have).
Having multiple Chase Ultimate Rewards cards is an excellent strategy that allows you to take advantage of several different bonus categories. For example, the
Savvy travelers like to pair Chase Ultimate Rewards cards to maximize the value of their points, but you certainly don't have to. If you prefer to keep it simple, the strong bonus categories from the
Chase Ink Cash Benefits and Features
Introductory 0% APR on purchases
The
Primary rental car insurance
The
This is an excellent perk for a no-annual-fee card that covers reimbursement in the event of theft or collision damage for most rentals in the US and abroad. Keep in mind liability insurance isn't included, so you'll have to pay for that separately or have your own coverage through your personal policy.
Purchase protection
When you use your
With purchase protection, new purchases are covered for 120 days from damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty
Extended warranty protection extends a US manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on warranties of three years or less when you use your
Travel and emergency assistance
If you find yourself needing help during your travels, you can call for emergency assistance as part of your travel benefits. You'll have to cover the cost of any services rendered, but it's convenient for arranging help when you're in an unfamiliar place.
Roadside dispatch
You can also ask for roadside dispatch for things like a tow, jumping a dead battery, or fuel. Again, you'll be responsible for the cost of the service, but your benefits administrator will coordinate on your behalf.
Zero-liability and fraud protection
The
Should anything happen with your card or account information, zero liability means you won't be responsible for any charges made without your knowledge.
Chase Ink Cash Annual Fee and Other Costs
There's a
This card does have a foreign transaction fee (3% of each transaction) so it's best not to use it abroad, but there are plenty of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to use instead.
If you carry a balance, a
- Balance transfers
- Cash advances
- Late payments
- Returned payments
How the Chase Ink Cash Compares
Ink Cash vs other Chase business cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 5% cash back (5x points) at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services*** 2% cash back (2x points) at gas stations and restaurants*** 1% cash back (1x points) on all other purchases | 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all eligible purchases with no cap | 3x points on shipping purchases, advertising purchases on social media sites and search engines, internet, cable, and phone services, and travel* 1x points on all other purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Card benefits | Primary car rental insurance (when renting for business purposes) Extended warranty Purchase protection Travel and emergency assistance services Roadside dispatch | Primary car rental insurance (when renting for business purposes) Extended warranty Purchase protection Travel and emergency assistance services Roadside dispatch | Primary car rental insurance (when renting for business purposes) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Extended warranty Purchase protection Travel and emergency assistance services Roadside dispatch No foreign transaction fees |
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*5% cash back and 2% cash back on the
**3x points on the
Chase Ink Cash vs other small-business cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 5% cash back (5x points) at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services*** 2% cash back (2x points) at gas stations and restaurants*** 1% cash back (1x points) on all other purchases | 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent on eligible purchases each year, then 1% (cash back is received in the form of a statement credit) | 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the US Bank Rewards Center 3% cash back at gas and EV charging stations 3% cash back at office supply stores 3% cash back on cell phone service providers 3% cash back at restaurants 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Card benefits | Primary car rental insurance (when renting for business purposes) Extended warranty Purchase protection Travel and emergency assistance services Roadside dispatch | Extended warranty Purchase protection Secondary car rental insurance Global Assist Hotline Discounts and bonuses through Amex Offers** | $100 annual software credit World Elite Mastercard benefits |
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*5% cash back and 2% cash back on the
Like other cards, there are also fees for balance transfers, cash advances, and late or returned payments.
Chase Ink Cash Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Chase Ink Business Cash card worth it?
The
What credit score is needed for the Chase Business Ink Cash card?
Most folks who qualify for the
Who is eligible for the Chase Ink Cash?
The Chase 5/24 rule affects your ability to qualify for Chase credit cards. If you've opened five or more cards within the past 24 months (including non-Chase cards) then you won't be able to get approved for another Chase card, including the
To qualify for a small business card like the
Which is better, Chase Ink Cash or Chase Ink Business Unlimited?
Both the
The right card for you depends on your spending habits — if you make a lot of purchases in the
Methodology: How we reviewed the Chase Ink Cash
We compared the
- Ease of use — Is the card's rewards earning and redemption easy to navigate? Are there multiple options for using points?
- Rewards earning potential — Are there bonus categories that are valuable for business owners, and are any of them capped?
- Benefits — How do the card's perks, especially for business owners, stack up against competing cards?
Be sure to read our guide to how we rate credit cards at Insider.