The Ink Business Cash is the best no-annual-fee business card for companies with meaningful office supply, internet, cable, or phone service expenses. The 5% rate on up to $25,000/year in those two categories combined is the highest available on a no-fee business card. Add 2% on gas and restaurants, a strong $750 welcome bonus, and 0% APR for 12 months, and this card delivers exceptional value for small businesses at zero ongoing cost.
Earning Structure
| Category | Cash Back | Annual Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Office Supply Stores | 5% | $25,000 combined with internet/cable/phone |
| Internet, Cable, Phone Services | 5% | $25,000 combined with office supply |
| Gas Stations | 2% | $25,000 combined with restaurants |
| Restaurants | 2% | $25,000 combined with gas |
| All Other Purchases | 1% | Unlimited |
Cash back is earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards points (1 point = 1 cent as cash). On its own, the card redeems as cash back, gift cards, or travel through Chase. Paired with an Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve, those cash-back points become transferable Ultimate Rewards points worth 1.25–2¢ each — a significant multiplier on an already strong earn rate.
Office Supply Stores — 5% on More Than Just Staples
The 5% category for "office supply stores" (Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax) is broader than it looks. These retailers sell not just paper and pens but also electronics, gift cards for major retailers, postage, printing services, and more. Buying Amazon gift cards, restaurant gift cards, or other popular gift cards at Staples earns 5% on those face-value amounts — effectively extending the 5% earn rate to categories beyond office supplies. Use this strategically for planned purchases.
Ultimate Rewards Pairing — Unlock Transfer Partners
If you also hold an Ink Business Preferred ($95/yr), Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/yr), or Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr), you can pool all your Ink Business Cash points with that card's points and access Chase's 14 airline and hotel transfer partners at 1:1. A $500 annual fee on a Sapphire card unlocks 1.25–1.5¢+ per point value on all your Ink Cash earnings — effectively tripling the redemption value of your office supply and telecom spending.
$750 Welcome Bonus
Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. For a no-annual-fee business card, $750 is one of the strongest welcome bonuses available. The $6,000 spending requirement over 3 months ($2,000/month) is achievable for most small businesses that route regular expenses through the card.
Chase 5/24 Rule — Important
Chase applies the 5/24 rule to Ink business cards: if you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application. Business cards from other issuers typically do not count against 5/24 — but personal cards do. Plan your Chase card applications accordingly.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- 5% on office supplies and internet/cable/phone — best rate available at $0 fee
- $750 welcome bonus — one of the strongest no-fee business card bonuses
- 0% APR for 12 months on purchases — useful for business equipment financing
- Pairs with Sapphire/Ink Preferred to unlock UR transfer partners
- Employee cards at no additional cost with spending controls
- No annual fee
What to Watch Out For
- 3% foreign transaction fee — use a different card internationally
- 1% on purchases outside the bonus categories
- $25,000 annual cap on each bonus tier — businesses spending more drop to 1%
- Cash back only (no transfer partners) without pairing a Sapphire/Preferred card
- Chase 5/24 rule applies
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
5% office/telecom · 2% gas/dining · $750 bonus · 0% APR 12mo · $0 annual fee
Apply Now →Bottom Line
The Ink Business Cash is the right card for small businesses with meaningful internet, telecom, or office supply expenses. The 5% rate on those categories is unmatched at $0 annual cost. The $750 welcome bonus and 12-month 0% APR add first-year value. And pairing it with an Ink Preferred unlocks the full power of Ultimate Rewards transfer partners on every dollar earned. For businesses without significant office or telecom spending, the Ink Business Unlimited's 1.5% flat rate may be a better fit.