Ink Business Cash (commonly known as CIC) is a no-annual-fee Chase business credit card designed for businesses with significant spending on office supplies and select business services.
The card earns 5X Ultimate Rewards Points at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year. It also earns 2X at gas stations and restaurants on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account year, plus 1X on other purchases.
With a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, Ink Business Cash is one of the most useful no-fee cards in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.
Ink Business Cash Benefits
| Benefit | Ink Business Cash |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Office Supply Stores | 5X |
| Internet / Cable / Phone Services | 5X |
| 5X Spending Cap | $25,000 combined / account year |
| Gas Stations | 2X |
| Restaurants | 2X |
| 2X Spending Cap | $25,000 combined / account year |
| All Other Purchases | Unlimited 1X |
| Employee Cards | No additional cost |
| Rewards Program | Ultimate Rewards |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| Best For | Business Categories up to 5X UR |
Although Chase markets Ink Business Cash as a cash-back card, rewards are tracked as Ultimate Rewards Points, with $1 in cash back equal to 100 points.
This makes the card especially valuable for businesses that can maximize its 5X categories.
Is Ink Business Cash Worth It?
Ink Business Cash has a very straightforward value proposition:
$0 Annual Fee
Up to 5X UR Points
0% Foreign Transaction Fee
Businesses that spend heavily at office supply stores or on internet, cable and phone services can earn up to 125,000 UR Points per account year from the $25,000 5X spending cap alone.
The separate 2X categories also make the card useful for gas and restaurant spending.
If your business expenses do not fit these bonus categories and most purchases fall into general spending, Ink Business Unlimited may be a better choice because of its flat 1.5X earning structure.
For businesses that can maximize the 5X categories, however, Ink Business Cash is one of the strongest no-annual-fee cards in the Chase UR ecosystem.
Ink Business Cash Historical Welcome Offers
| Date | Public Welcome Offer | Minimum Spend |
|---|---|---|
| Sep. 2019 | $500 / 50K Points | $3,000 / 3 months |
| Nov. 2020 | $750 / 75K Points | $7,500 / 3 months |
| Oct. 2022 | $900 / 90K Points | $6,000 / 3 months |
| Mar. 2023 | $750 / 75K Points | $6,000 / 3 months |
| Sep. 2023 | $900 / 90K Points | $6,000 / 3 months |
| Mar. 2024 | Up to $750 / 75K Points | $6,000 / 6 months |
| Sep. 2025 | $900 / 90K Points | $6,000 / 3 months |
| Nov. 2025 | $750 / 75K Points | $6,000 / 3 months |
| Jun. 2026 | $1,000 / 100K Points | $8,000 / 4 months |
Public offers only. Targeted, referral, branch, mail, and other personalized offers are excluded.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card Comparison
Chase credit cards can be divided into Personal Cards and Business Cards, while the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem includes both Cash Back and Points-focused products.
General users can choose cards based on everyday spending, travel, or business expenses. Points and miles enthusiasts can combine different Chase Cards to earn Ultimate Rewards and use cards with Transfer Partner access to build a complete Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem.
Personal Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Core Role | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Flex | $0 | Quarterly 5X | 3% |
| Freedom Unlimited | $0 | Everyday 1.5X | 3% |
| Freedom Rise | $0 | 1.5X / Build Credit | 3% |
| Sapphire Preferred | US$95 | Travel + UR Transfers | 0% |
| Sapphire Reserve | US$795 | Premium Travel + UR Transfers | 0% |
Business Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Core Role | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash | $0 | Up to 5X Business Categories | 3% |
| Ink Business Unlimited | $0 | Unlimited 1.5X Business Spending | 3% |
| Ink Business Preferred | US$95 | 3X Business Categories + UR Transfers | 0% |
| Ink Business Premier | US$195 | Large Purchases up to 2.5% Cash Back | 0% |
| Sapphire Reserve for Business | US$795 | Premium Business Travel + UR Transfers | 0% |
Application Rules & Restrictions
When applying for Chase credit cards, keep these key rules in mind:
– 5/24 Rule: If you have opened 5 or more credit card accounts that appear on your personal credit report within the past 24 months, it will generally affect your ability to get approved for a new Chase Card. Most Business Cards that do not report to personal credit reports generally do not add to your 5/24 count.
– Welcome Offer Eligibility: Different Chase Cards have their own Welcome Offer restrictions, and some products also have Card Family Restrictions. Being under 5/24 does not necessarily mean you are eligible for a Welcome Offer.
– Application Timing: Chase does not publish a simple fixed application interval, but submitting multiple Chase applications within a short period may affect approval.
A simple Chase application strategy is:
Check 5/24 → Check Welcome Offer / Family Eligibility → Submit Application
Actual application and Welcome Offer Eligibility requirements are subject to the current terms of each Chase Card.
How Can Foreigners Apply for Chase Credit Cards?
Foreign applicants generally need to establish some U.S. Credit History before applying for Chase credit cards.
If you are new to the U.S. credit card market, one strategy is to first obtain a U.S. Amex through Amex Global Transfer, build your U.S. credit history, and then consider applying for Chase.
Amex Global Transfer → U.S. Amex → Build U.S. Credit History → Chase
Applicants must still meet Chase’s current requirements regarding identification, address, credit history, and other application criteria.
