Chase Ink BUSINESS Cards (before November 2016 - not being updated)
Updated September 23, 2016. Please see our updated review for the current Ink Business Cards.
The Facts
There are two versions of Chase Ink currently available to new customers: Ink Cash and Ink Plus.
The Facts
There are two versions of Chase Ink currently available to new customers: Ink Cash and Ink Plus.
Ink Cash
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Ink Plus
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The History
Chase introduced the Ink series which include Ink Classic, Ink Cash and Ink Bold, in 2009. Then Chase had a major revamp of these cards in November 2011. Please see our review on the old Ink series for some background. For Ink Classic/Cash, the one year free Priority Pass Select was removed. For Ink Bold, several changes occurred: the tiered points boosters (1.3~1.475 point per dollar spent) were replaced with a 5-2-1 structure similar to Ink Class/Cash with the only differences being the raised 50K annual spending cap (vs. 25K on Ink Classic/Cash) and one different 2x category; zero foreign transaction fee feature was added; Priority Pass Select (now Lounge Club) with two free passed was extended to every year you have the card. In mid 2012, Chase introduced Ink Plus, which was almost identical to Ink Bold - the only difference was while Ink Bold was a charge card, Ink Plus was a regular credit card. Since they were considered as two different products, you would be able to get 100K points if signing up both. In October 2014, Chase discontinued Ink Classic and Ink Bold for new applicants due to their resemblance to their siblings. In April 2015, Chase removed the Lounge Club membership benefit from Ink Plus (it used to be a free membership plus two free visits per year and $27 per visit thereafter).
The Math
The 5-2-1 earning structure is undoubtedly very appealing. For Ink Cash, you may get more value if you have a premium UR card. Ink Plus looks more like Sapphire Preferred. They all have $95 annual fee, tiered bonus categories, zero foreign transaction fees, and two premium UR redemption features. Of course the bonus categories are different.
Ink Plus vs. Ink Cash: They have similar 5-2-1 earning structures; the only difference is that Ink Plus has hotels as one 2x category and Ink Cash has dining as one 2x category. For $95/year with Ink Plus, you get two premium UR redemption features, raised spending limit to earn 5x (50K vs. 25K), zero foreign transaction fees. However, if you already have Sapphire Preferred, you need to value the last two benefits to see if they justify the annual fees.
Ink Plus vs. Capital One Spark: Since our beloved 2% cashback Fidelity Amex does not have a business version, the best cashback business card is the new Capital One Spark Cash/Miles which offers 2% return with a $59 annual fee. Let's assume that you are using the transfer option to maximize Ink's value and you value one point = Y cent, your total annual spending is $C with $A going to the 5x category and $B going to the 2x category, to beat Spark you need
$A x 4 x Y% + $B x Y% + $C x Y% - $95 = $C x 2% -$59
i.e. Y(4A+B) = (2-Y)C+3600. For example, if Y=1.6 and C=50K, you need to spend say $3K in A and $2.75K in B.
Ink Plus vs. Amex Business Gold: They are similar in that they both have multiple bonus categories and allow points to be transferred to frequent traveler programs. But they have major differences. First of all, Ink is $80 less expensive. Secondly, Ink has a 5-2-1 earning structure while Amex's is 3-2-1, and the only bonus category in common is gas. Thirdly, Amex Business Gold has higher spending cap for each categories (100K vs. 50K in Ink). Lastly, Chase UR program has very different transfer partners from Amex MR. So the bottom line is that each card has its own strength and it is up to your spending pattern as well as redemption need to decide which one to pick up.
The Conclusion
With the changes in November 2011, the Chase Ink series has still been our top recommendation for small business owners who like miles/points, along with Amex SPG Business and Amex Business Gold. Depending on whether or not you have another premium UR card and how big your spending on bonus categories is, you can choose between Ink Plus and Ink Cash.
Chase introduced the Ink series which include Ink Classic, Ink Cash and Ink Bold, in 2009. Then Chase had a major revamp of these cards in November 2011. Please see our review on the old Ink series for some background. For Ink Classic/Cash, the one year free Priority Pass Select was removed. For Ink Bold, several changes occurred: the tiered points boosters (1.3~1.475 point per dollar spent) were replaced with a 5-2-1 structure similar to Ink Class/Cash with the only differences being the raised 50K annual spending cap (vs. 25K on Ink Classic/Cash) and one different 2x category; zero foreign transaction fee feature was added; Priority Pass Select (now Lounge Club) with two free passed was extended to every year you have the card. In mid 2012, Chase introduced Ink Plus, which was almost identical to Ink Bold - the only difference was while Ink Bold was a charge card, Ink Plus was a regular credit card. Since they were considered as two different products, you would be able to get 100K points if signing up both. In October 2014, Chase discontinued Ink Classic and Ink Bold for new applicants due to their resemblance to their siblings. In April 2015, Chase removed the Lounge Club membership benefit from Ink Plus (it used to be a free membership plus two free visits per year and $27 per visit thereafter).
The Math
The 5-2-1 earning structure is undoubtedly very appealing. For Ink Cash, you may get more value if you have a premium UR card. Ink Plus looks more like Sapphire Preferred. They all have $95 annual fee, tiered bonus categories, zero foreign transaction fees, and two premium UR redemption features. Of course the bonus categories are different.
Ink Plus vs. Ink Cash: They have similar 5-2-1 earning structures; the only difference is that Ink Plus has hotels as one 2x category and Ink Cash has dining as one 2x category. For $95/year with Ink Plus, you get two premium UR redemption features, raised spending limit to earn 5x (50K vs. 25K), zero foreign transaction fees. However, if you already have Sapphire Preferred, you need to value the last two benefits to see if they justify the annual fees.
Ink Plus vs. Capital One Spark: Since our beloved 2% cashback Fidelity Amex does not have a business version, the best cashback business card is the new Capital One Spark Cash/Miles which offers 2% return with a $59 annual fee. Let's assume that you are using the transfer option to maximize Ink's value and you value one point = Y cent, your total annual spending is $C with $A going to the 5x category and $B going to the 2x category, to beat Spark you need
$A x 4 x Y% + $B x Y% + $C x Y% - $95 = $C x 2% -$59
i.e. Y(4A+B) = (2-Y)C+3600. For example, if Y=1.6 and C=50K, you need to spend say $3K in A and $2.75K in B.
Ink Plus vs. Amex Business Gold: They are similar in that they both have multiple bonus categories and allow points to be transferred to frequent traveler programs. But they have major differences. First of all, Ink is $80 less expensive. Secondly, Ink has a 5-2-1 earning structure while Amex's is 3-2-1, and the only bonus category in common is gas. Thirdly, Amex Business Gold has higher spending cap for each categories (100K vs. 50K in Ink). Lastly, Chase UR program has very different transfer partners from Amex MR. So the bottom line is that each card has its own strength and it is up to your spending pattern as well as redemption need to decide which one to pick up.
The Conclusion
With the changes in November 2011, the Chase Ink series has still been our top recommendation for small business owners who like miles/points, along with Amex SPG Business and Amex Business Gold. Depending on whether or not you have another premium UR card and how big your spending on bonus categories is, you can choose between Ink Plus and Ink Cash.
