Update 3/6/23: Alas, all good things eventually come to an end. We’ve just received word that the 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points bonus on the Chase Ink Cash and Ink Business Unlimited will be ending soon (more details here). If you’ve been on the fence about getting one (or both) of these cards, now’s the time.
Last week, we wrote about higher welcome offers for several Chase cards that were available via non-public (and thus somewhat marginal) links and also in branch. Among these were best-ever 90,000 Ultimate Rewards point offers for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and the Ink Cash. But, at the time, there was also some scuttlebutt about these increased Chase Ink offers soon becoming publicly available.
The wait’s over.
Last night, both of these massive, 90K offers came online. Not only have the welcome bonuses increased, but the minimum spend required to achieve them was lowered to $6,000 each. These are now two of the top four business cards on our Best Offers Page and I believe that they are also the best welcome offers that we’ve ever seen on a no annual fee card.
The Deal
- Best ever welcome offers for the Chase Ink Cash and Chase Business Unlimited cards: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $6,000 spend within the first 3 months of card membership
Offers and Key Card Details
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Quick Thoughts
I’ve made no secret about my love for the Chase Ink Cash. Our household has four of them and they’re stalwarts of our credit card portfolio due to the 5x earning on office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services. By taking advantage of some office supply stores’ constant sales on gift cards (like this one starting over the weekend), you can effectively use them to earn 5x on any expense that you can use a debit card for.
But pushing that aside, these offers are absolutely bonkers for any card, let alone for two cards that don’t carry an annual fee. Our Reasonable Redemption Values pegs Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1.5 cents each, making each of these 90K bonuses worth over $1300 without factoring in the additional rewards that can be earned from the minimum spend.
In short, these offers are incredible. If you’re eligible, they are absolutely worth considering.
If you’re in a P2 situation, a household referral would actually provide slightly more total points as referrals currently generate the old 75K offer and the referrer earns an additional 20K points, for a total of 95,000 Ultimate Rewards points. That said, if it were me, I would wait a bit to see if Chase eventually raises the referral offer to match the direct one.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Cash Application Tips
Should you apply?
Even though these are business cards, it’s a great choice for anyone interested in earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It offers an excellent combination of a great signup bonus, no annual fee, super-valuable points, and solid rewards for all spend. If you are eligible (see next section) and you don’t already have the similar Freedom Unlimited card, you should consider both of these, especially with offers like these available.
Are you eligible?
To get this card you must have a business, and you must be under 5/24 (more on 5/24 below).
Similarly, if you have more than one business, it’s possible to get the same Chase Ink card and signup bonus for each business you own. This is true even though the application terms state otherwise: “I understand that any new cardmember bonus offers for this product are not available to either current or previous cardmembers of this product who received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the last 24 months.” Despite those terms, it's very common for people to successfully sign up up for more than one of the same Ink card across multiple businesses.
| Applying for Business Credit Cards Yes, you have a business: In order to sign up for a business credit card, you must have a business. That said, it's common for people to have businesses without realizing it. If you sell items at a yard sale, or on eBay, for example, then you have a business. Similar examples include: consulting, writing (e.g. blog authorship, planning your first novel, etc.), handyman services, owning rental property, renting on airbnb, driving for Uber or Lyft, etc. In any of these cases, your business is considered a Sole Proprietorship unless you form a corporation of some sort. When you apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, you can use your own name as your business name, use your own address and phone as the business' address and phone, and your social security number as the business' Tax ID / EIN. Alternatively, you can get a proper Tax ID / EIN from the IRS for free, in about a minute, through this website. Is it OK to use business cards for personal expenses? Anecdotally, almost everyone I know uses business cards for personal expenses. That said, the terms in most business card applications state that you should use the card only for business use. Also, some consumer credit card protections do not apply to business cards. My advice: don't use the card for personal expenses if you're not comfortable doing so. |
| Chase's 5/24 Rule: With most Chase credit cards, Chase will not approve your application if you have opened 5 or more cards with any bank in the past 24 months. To determine your 5/24 status, see: 3 Easy Ways to Count Your 5/24 Status. The easiest option is to track all of your cards for free with Travel Freely. |
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Got Ink Unlimited 90 K bonus offer a while ago. Came here to get Ink cash 90 K bonus. Now gone. Any way to still get this? Think it will come back? Hard to go to $750 after the 90 K offer
Got ink cash 90k offer spend 6k in 3mo. However they only gave me 3k credit limit. Would they increase credit limit if I call and ask? I also have sapphire preferred (got it in 2020) card which maybe I can borrow credit from..also freedom card in January 2023.
Got ink cash card March 2023.
Or should I stick to spending up to limit and pay up and repeat?
Spend over 2 billing cycles, can even get into 3rd and still do it on time. Do not go over your credit limit and do not try to use your line multiple times in the same billing cycle.
Does the 5% cash back with the Chase Ink Cash card work for office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services work outside the United States?
Yes but you’ll incur foreign transaction fees
So appreciate your site! One recommendation: when you add an “Update” to an old article, perhaps find a way to preserve and display a record of the original posting date in addition to adding the posting date for the Update. Sometimes it’s still helpful to know when the original article was first published, given how the article may have been written.
Good suggestion, thank you. FYI you can get an idea of when a post was first published by looking at when the oldest comments appeared
P2 closed their account in October 2022 but got their signup bonus in 2020. Would they still be eligible for this offer?
Should be fine. People report that the 24 month rule is not being enforced anyway.
thank you so much
I applied once the end date was announced even though I’m well over 5/24 until EOM and my business is a sole proprietorship, so no EIN. I wasn’t automatically approved, so I assumed that was that, but today I got an email that I was approved. Sweet!
My wife just got approved for the Ink. She does not have a Preferred or Reserve but she is linked to my account where I have the Preferred. I have been transferring her Freedom card points to my Preferred since our accounts are linked to the same address. Is it safe to assume, her new Ink card points can also be transferred to my Preferred account to complete their transformation from cash to Membership Reward points?
Yep, it will work exactly the same
as the Freedom.
Oops, I meant Ultimate Reward points, not Membership Reward…
Figured 😉
I am a realtor, acting as an independent contractor for a brokerage. Would this count as a business?
Absolutely.
I’m preapproved for the ink business cash from within the app. It has the same terms 6k spend for 90k points. Ok to sign up via this route?
Nobody has had any issues with that. But maybe someday Chase will decide to crack down (I doubt it though).
thanks. good to hear. Now about today’s NYT’s story . . . . Wondering if our days are numbered.
I got the 90k when it first came out. I referred player 2 and she was approved for 90k and I received 20k referral. Now looking to have player 2 refer me to a different Ink family product, but now all player 2 referral links (as well as my own) offer only $750 (75,000) instead of the standard $900 (90,000). However, it shows the $750 actually gives the person referring 40,000 per approval vs the standard 20,000…. 75,000 for player 2 and 40,000 for player one comes out at 115,000, vs the 90+20=110. Seems odd, but if two player mode it’s better. Anyone else seeing this?
Also seeing this. 5k more points total, but now 40k of those points are taxable vs. 20k.
Did I miss something….2023 bonuses will be taxed?
Signup bonuses are not taxable because they’re a rebate on spend. Referral bonuses are taxable and have been for several years now. Chase will send you a 1099 for any referral bonuses you’ve received at the end of the year. It’s 5k more points total, but at the cost of twice as many of those points now being taxable.
Just as an update, the referral bonus has been raised to 40k as well.
But it appears the applicant only receives $750, not $900. See other comment. Appears this is good of in two player mode, but not attractive to applicants looking for the full 90k if not tied to referring person.
I’m at 5/24 until April 1st, I applied for a Ink Cash card 2 months ago after hearing some were being approved over 5/24 and was declined. I recall hearing that you can apply for an offer close to deadline, if rejected then call reconsideration line after going under 5/24 shortly thereafter. Any feedback or a timeline of how that works if I try again prior to 3/21/23?
Also, I would be referred by my wife P2 who just finished her SUB on a Ink Cash. If I got approved, can I refer her for an Ink Unlimited or does that not work because she already has a card? We’d both be under our own SSN as sole proprietors. Thanks!
You can refer your wife for a second card
Yes that should work. Apply now and if declined, wait until you are under 5/24 and call to ask for the application to be reopened. You should still qualify for the 90K offer that way. I can’t remember how much time you have to reopen an app like that, but it sounds like you don’t have to wait long.
able to get 2 of the same card for same sole prop business?
Yes
Please remind me. If i already have ink cash card, may i get again or do i neve to product change the card or apply for a different business. I’ve had it for 6 years.. thanks!
You can have multiple
If you generate a referral link for the 90k offer before 3/21, will that referral link still work after that date?
It might for a while, but not forever.
Question — any problem meeting spend by buying gift cards at office supply stores?
Data — I was skeptical whether you could really get a second Cash or Unlimited when you already have one and have received the bonus in the last 24 months, as reported in various places. But, I tried today and was approved. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll get the bonus, but I think by and large when you get approved for Chase cards it means they view you as eligible. If you’re under 5/24, take a look at getting a second card.
No issue buying gift cards and you’ll get the sub
If I have both the CIC and CIU can I get 5 referral bonuses per card (100k UR)? So 10 total referral bonuses between the two cards (200k UR)? Or is it only 5 total referral bonuses per Ink family? Thanks
Wife is just about done with her Ink Cash signup bonus spending, I want her to refer me for the same card. Both us own SSN for rental properties we own, don’t have LLC or business tax ID. After I meet my own minimum spend, can I refer her for a different Ink card and get a referral bonus? Was unsure if you can refer back and forth for different Ink cards or if they won’t give bonus since you’re referring an existing business member. Thanks
Can we post a referral link here?
Unfortunately, no. Our spam filter won’t allow it.
Can refer myself from a different chase ink card I have? Both the card I have now and the new card would be under my social as sole proprietor. Thanks
I suppose you could but I’d be wary about doing so. I know that Amex cracks down on people self-referring. I can’t remember any stories of Chase doing the same but you never know when they might start.
Can I apply for both of these at the same time? Also I have an Chase Ink Business Plus Card I opened over 5 years ago and never closed, will this affect my chances of approval?
I’m confused about this. Is the offer for $900 cash back or 90,000 points? The referral offer and non-referral application both say $900 cash back.
Both, The points on Ink cards are earned as Ultimate Rewards. You can choose to redeem them for cash at 1 cent per point, or you can choose to transfer them to an annual-fee UR-earning card (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserved, Ink Preferred) and then transfer them to on to partners. But you are earning Ultimate Rewards, not straight cash.
Ok, perfect. Thanks.
Any idea how long this offer will stick around? I go under 5/24 on December 1. If I can wait until then to try to get auto approval I think that I will. Otherwise, can I apply this month but then try to get reconsideration after 12/1 even if the 90k offer is no longer available?
None, I wouldn’t think that they would pull it by 12/1, but if you’re concerned, you could apply early and do reconsideration after. It’s a good strategy.
The referral link I received in my email indicates $900 bonus cash back. This matches the current non-referral offer, correct?
Yep! That’s the one.
Applied for Unlimited last night. It went pending. What is the best way to check on the status? Thank you!
Call 800-453-9719 and follow the prompts.
Same question as others on here – if I ALREADY have the Ink Cash (let’s say I got it 5 years ago, so way past 24 months since I got the SUB), and then I close the account TODAY, how long would I have to wait to sign up for the card again to get the 90k SUB? 2 weeks? 30 days? Does FM have any data points on this?
no need to close it. I got both in 2018 or so and got approved for a cic today. Just be under 5/24
So, there’s no reason that you can’t have 2 Inks. That said, If you want Chase to know that you don’t have the card, a week should suffice.
Thanks Andy and Tim. So even if I only have one business, I’d qualify for the SUB again using the same business? Weird.
Yes. If you want to be extra careful, you can apply as a sole proprietor under your own social security number or change the name slightly (ie, Tim Steinke vs Timothy James Steinke). Chase has never seemed to have a hard limit on Ink cards, it’s more about staying under the total amount of credit that they want to give you.
Any chance we could share referral links on FM Facebook group?
We don’t set-up referral threads unless the referral bonus exceeds the affiliate bonus, which in this case it doesn’t. That said, you’re welcome to reach out to friends and try and do a referral, just don’t share the link in an actual post (our facebook mods are pretty strict with that).
I canceled my 3 yr old Chase Ink Business Unlimited card 1 week ago. How much longer should I wait before I apply for a new one?
You should be fine now. General rule of thumb is to wait a week after canceling for it (and the credit limit associated with it) to show as cancelled.
I applied for business ink UL but got a rejection of “You have too many active accounts or too much available credit”
I have 7 personal chase cards and 2 business (marriott and ink cash)
Think I could call reconsideration line or not test the waters? Would hate to be shut down by Chase.
When i applied for the Hyatt card in October they had me reduce the amount of credit i had on another card. This was after i called the reconsideration line. I’d say give i a try.
How long do i need to wait after getting approved for the ink unlimited to apply for the ink cash?
To be safe, wait 30 days (but I’ve known folks who got two business cards within 30 days).
Will applying and getting rejected reset the 30 day clock or might it be 30 days after a card approval?
30 days after approval
I’ve never gotten any Ink Cash or Ink Unlimited SUBs before. However, I have one of each card from CIP product changes a couple of years ago. Would I be eligible for these SUBs? Thanks.
Yes
I want to create a business and have a side hustle. I have excellent personal credit history and never had a business CC. I am well under 5/24. In this situation, what are my chances with 0 business income (I know it asks for projected) and essentially <1 month in existence? I wonder what Chase really do with those information if you are truly starting out.
Any thoughts?
Many people get approved as a sole prop with business income. Give it a try.
Asked Chase nicely through SM if they could match the offer P2 earned in August and they indicated they will add 15K points on the next statement.
Nice company I love them, Every time I call they tell me when to wait to apply.They even told me they knew what I was doing but gave me a BA card this year. 5* people just keep ur FICO high..
Great! It seems like they’ve been quite generous with matching to these higher offers.
I will cancel my 5 yr old Chase Ink Unlimited today. How long should I wait before applying for a new one to be confident that the old card won’t still block me from approval on the new 90k card?
Also how long do you guess we will wait for the p-2 referral 20 bonus to be raised to the 90k card bonus from the old 75k card bonus?
How long do you have to wait before closing a chase ink card before reapplying? I have passed the 24 months to receive sign up bonus again. I just canceled my ink unlimited today.
24 months is definitely enough. I’ve heard of folks re-upping and getting the bonus in as little as 12 months (sometimes less). At 24, you’re safe, provided you’re under 5/24.
Thanks Tim, sorry I wasn’t clear. I just canceled it today, I’m trying to figure out how long after I cancel it will it show up in there system that I do not have the ink unlimited anymore, so that I can apply again. I’m way passed the 24 months and yes I’m at like 1 or 2/5 right now.
Give it a week.
I already have both of these cards. think I could downgrade the ink unlimited to a 2nd ink cash, then re-apply for the ink unlimited? or better off just going for the CIP despite higher spend required for SUB
Yes, you can. I’ve done the same thing both ways (Ink Preferred – Ink Cash, Ink Unlimited – Ink Cash)
Hi, can I call and convert my Chase business preferred ink card (got 80K bonus in 2019) to this cash card and still get 90K bonus after $6k spend? Thanks.
Unfortunately, no. You can downgrade, but won’t get the bonus (unless you’re targeted for one, which is extremely unlikely with Chase). You’d have to do a new sign-up on the Cash and cancel the preferred if you only want one.
Awesome thanks! How long would you wait to reapply for CIU?
No need to wait, as long as you’re under 5/24, you can do it anytime.
Anyone have this on their referral? Mine still has the old offer.
Wondering the same. If I refer P2, it only shows the 75k offer, which is still better since I’d get a 20k referral bonus so 95k total instead of 90k. of course having a 90k SUB and a 20k referral bonus would be best!
So my wife just started being an independent contractor this month. She has a Tax ID/ EIN…. she is billing through insurance and hasn’t received income yet… will she still be able to apply and get approved? Guess it doesn’t hurt to try right?
Yes and yes. I’ve been approved with only using my SS# and stating 0 business income as a sole proprietor. Your wife is way ahread of me. 🙂
Nice! Thanks. So I could probably start a business myself this week too.
These offers point to $900 bonuses not 90K points, not sure how your calculating this.
The offers are for 90,000 Ultimate Rewards. If you don’t have a card that enables transfers to partners (Sapphire, Sapphire Reserve, Business Pref.) then they are only worth 1 cent each. We value UR based on the ability to transfer.
I guess I don’t have the full info, so since I have a Sapphire card, if I apply for the Ink Business Cash card, when I earn the bonus after spend. Your saying I can transfer the $900 bonus to my Sapphire Ultimate Rewards account and it will convert to 90k points? I just want to understand this cause I haven’t transferred $ to points before and didn’t know you could. Thanks
The points on Ink cards are earned as Ultimate Rewards from the beginning, and there are many ways to use those URs. You can choose to redeem them for cash at 1 cent per point, or you can choose to transfer them to an annual-fee UR earning card (CSP, CSR, or CIP) to take advantage of additional, potentially higher-value redemption options. But they are URs from the start, you a would not be converting cash to points.
Go to the top and Click ” Start Here ” it’s 90% of How to Do is there. Before it was the ” Tool Box ” a Gift to the Newbie’s..Nothing is Simple in this complex Game..ALOHA