Ink Business Preferred (commonly known as CIP) is one of the most versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards business credit cards for business owners with significant spending on travel, shipping, communications, and digital advertising.
The card earns 3X Ultimate Rewards Points on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year. All other purchases earn unlimited 1X.
Unlike the no-annual-fee Ink cards, Ink Business Preferred can transfer Ultimate Rewards Points directly to Chase airline and hotel partners. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international business spending.
👉 Apply for Ink Business Preferred
Ink Business Preferred Benefits
| Benefit | Ink Business Preferred |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | US$95 |
| Travel | 3X UR |
| Shipping Purchases | 3X UR |
| Internet / Cable / Phone Services | 3X UR |
| Social Media / Search Engine Advertising | 3X UR |
| 3X Spending Cap | $150,000 combined / account year |
| All Other Purchases | Unlimited 1X |
| Employee Cards | No additional cost |
| Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners | Yes |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| Best For | Business Spending + UR Transfers |
The four 3X categories share a combined $150,000 annual spending cap. Maximizing the entire allowance can generate up to 450,000 Ultimate Rewards Points before spending in these categories returns to 1X.
The ability to transfer points directly to Chase airline and hotel partners is also one of the biggest differences between Ink Business Preferred and the two no-annual-fee Ink cards.
Is Ink Business Preferred Worth It?
Ink Business Preferred is particularly useful for businesses with substantial expenses in travel, shipping, telecommunications, or digital advertising.
Its three main strengths are:
3X Business & Travel
$150K Combined 3X Spending
Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
For a business spending heavily in these categories, the relatively high $150,000 combined annual cap makes the card much more scalable than many consumer rewards cards.
It also works particularly well as the premium card in an Ink strategy:
Ink Business Cash → Up to 5X Bonus Categories
Ink Business Unlimited → Unlimited 1.5X General Spending
Ink Business Preferred → 3X Business Categories + UR Transfers
Points earned across eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards cards can be combined, allowing Ink Business Preferred to provide transfer-partner functionality for a broader Chase UR strategy.
With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also suitable for international travel and overseas business expenses.
Ink Business Preferred Historical Welcome Offers
| Date | Public Welcome Offer | Minimum Spend |
|---|---|---|
| Mar. 2020 | 100K UR Points | $15,000 / 3 months |
| Jun. 2023 | 100K UR Points | $8,000 / 3 months |
| Jul. 2024 | 120K UR Points | $8,000 / 3 months |
| Sep. 2024 | 90K UR Points | $8,000 / 3 months |
| Nov. 2025 | 100K UR Points | $8,000 / 3 months |
Public offers only. Targeted, referral, branch, mail, and other personalized offers are excluded.
👉 Apply for Ink Business Preferred
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.
[…] Ink Business Preferred […]