Key Points

• Chase's two no-annual-fee Ink business cards are now offering 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points each, but new cross-card restrictions mean most people can only earn one of these bonuses ever, not both.
• You don't need a formal business to apply: freelancers, side hustlers, and sole proprietors all qualify using a Social Security number, and even newer businesses are eligible.
• The 5/24 rule still applies, and Chase's updated lifetime-style restrictions mean your decision about which card to apply for first (or at all) is more permanent than it used to be.

The Chase Ink business cards have long been a cornerstone of any serious points strategy. Free annual fee, transferable Ultimate Rewards points when paired with a Sapphire card, and welcome bonuses that routinely beat what premium cards offer. So when Chase announced that both the Ink Business Cash and the Ink Business Unlimited are jumping to a 100,000-point welcome offer starting June 15, 2026, it's a genuinely big deal.

The catch? Chase has been tightening eligibility rules across its Ink lineup since late 2025, and these new restrictions change the calculus significantly. Understanding exactly who qualifies, and which card to prioritize, is now more important than ever. This guide breaks it all down clearly so you can make the right call before you apply.

What the 100K Offer Actually Looks Like

Starting June 15, 2026, both no-annual-fee Ink cards are offering 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. That's the highest bonus either card has ever carried, and 4,000 points more time to hit the spend requirement compared to some previous elevated offers.

To put that in perspective: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points transferred to Hyatt can cover multiple nights at properties that run $500+ per night. Transferred to United or Air France Flying Blue, you're looking at solid business-class opportunities to Europe. Even redeemed at Chase's travel portal at 1 cent each, that's $1,000 in travel.

The two cards themselves earn rewards differently:

Ink Business Cash: 5% back (5x points) at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services on the first $25,000 in combined purchases annually. 2% back (2x points) at gas stations and restaurants on the first $25,000. 1% on everything else.

Ink Business Unlimited: Flat 1.5% back (1.5x points) on every purchase, no categories, no caps, no tracking required.

Both carry no annual fee. Both offer a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases. Both come with free employee cards, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

The New Eligibility Rules You Need to Understand

This is where things get complicated, and where most people are going to make a costly mistake if they don't do their homework first.

The Cross-Card Restriction on No-Fee Ink Cards

Chase quietly updated the terms on both the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited in late 2025. The new language reads: "The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you have ever had this card or any other Chase for Business card without an annual fee."

That's a significant change. Here's what it means in practice:

• If you've ever had the Ink Business Cash, you likely won't qualify for the welcome bonus on the Ink Business Unlimited.
• If you've ever had the Ink Business Unlimited, you likely won't qualify for the bonus on the Ink Business Cash.
• And if you've had either card before, you may not be eligible for the bonus on that same card again, even if it's been years and you closed the account.

This effectively means most people get one shot at the no-fee Ink bonus family. Choose wisely.

What About the Ink Business Preferred?

The Ink Business Preferred operates under a separate set of rules. It's not part of the no-fee family restriction, meaning holding the Preferred doesn't disqualify you from the Cash or Unlimited, and vice versa. However, the Preferred now has its own lifetime-style restriction: if you've ever received the bonus on it, you may not be eligible again.

The Preferred currently carries a 100,000-point bonus after $8,000 in spending in the first three months. It has a $95 annual fee but earns 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually in travel, shipping, advertising, and internet/cable/phone services. If your business has heavy spending in those categories, it's a genuinely different product from the no-fee pair.

The 5/24 Rule Still Applies

Chase's 5/24 rule hasn't changed: if you've opened five or more credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months, Chase will generally decline your application for most of its cards, including all Ink business cards.

Business credit cards from Chase don't show up on your personal credit report and don't count toward your 5/24 number. So applying for an Ink card, assuming you're approved, doesn't push you further toward the 5/24 ceiling. That's a significant advantage for anyone strategically building a points portfolio.

To check your current 5/24 status, pull your credit reports and count how many new card accounts appear in the last 24 months. Our step-by-step guide on checking your Chase 5/24 status walks through exactly how to do this.

Do You Actually Qualify as a Business?

This is the question that stops a lot of people before they ever get to the eligibility rules. The short answer: you probably qualify, even if you don't think of yourself as a business owner.

Chase accepts applications from sole proprietors, which covers a remarkably wide range of activities. If you've done any of the following, you likely have a qualifying business:

• Sold anything on eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist
• Done freelance work of any kind (writing, design, photography, coding, tutoring)
• Rented out a property or room on Airbnb
• Done consulting, landscaping, cleaning, or any gig work
• Sold handmade items or crafts

You don't need a business license, an LLC, or an EIN. You can apply using your Social Security number and list yourself as a sole proprietor. Your business name can be your own name. Revenue doesn't need to be substantial, though Chase will ask about it.

Chase will also ask for estimated monthly business revenue and expenses. Answer honestly based on your actual activity. Overstating income to improve approval odds isn't worth the risk.

Which Card Should You Apply For?

Given that the no-fee Ink cards now share a bonus restriction, this decision matters more than it used to. Here's how to think about it.

Choose the Ink Business Cash if your business has meaningful spending at office supply stores or on internet, cable, and phone services. The 5x earning rate in those categories is exceptional. Buying Apple products, printer supplies, or software through office supply stores can dramatically amplify your points earning. If you're paying for business phone lines, internet, or cable services, those purchases automatically earn 5x too. The 2x at restaurants and gas stations is a solid secondary benefit.

Choose the Ink Business Unlimited if your spending is spread across many categories and you don't want to track bonus categories at all. The flat 1.5x rate on everything beats the Ink Cash's base rate of 1x on non-category purchases, making the Unlimited the cleaner choice for businesses with diverse, hard-to-categorize expenses. It's also a simpler card to hand to an employee.

One strategic note: if you have an existing Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve that earns full Ultimate Rewards points, both Ink cards can pool their rewards into your Sapphire account. That means the "cash back" you earn on these no-fee cards becomes transferable to airline and hotel partners, unlocking significantly higher value than a straight 1-2% cash-back card would suggest.

What the 100K Points Are Worth

The value you get from 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points depends entirely on how you use them. Here's a realistic look at redemption scenarios:

Transferred to Hyatt: 100,000 World of Hyatt points can cover roughly four nights at a Category 4 hotel (think a Park Hyatt or Andaz in secondary markets) or two nights at a Category 6 property. Cash rates for those nights might run $400-$700 per night.

Transferred to United MileagePlus: 100,000 United miles can cover a round-trip economy ticket to Europe (around 60,000 miles) or contribute toward a business-class redemption. Transferring Chase points to United is one of the most popular moves in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.

Transferred to Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Flying Blue frequently runs monthly promo awards with 25-35% discounts. 100,000 miles can stretch significantly in business class to Europe or West Africa.

Chase Travel portal at 1.5 cents each (Sapphire Reserve holders): If you pair your Ink card with the Sapphire Reserve, your 100,000 points are worth $1,500 in the travel portal at a fixed 1.5 cents per point. That's a no-brainer floor value.

Cash back at 1 cent each: 100,000 points equals $1,000 in statement credits. That's excellent for a no-annual-fee card, but it's the lowest-value redemption option and leaves a significant premium on the table.

How to Apply Without Triggering a Denial

A few practical notes before you hit submit:

Check for the Chase popup. Before you complete your application, Chase will sometimes show a screen indicating you're not eligible for the bonus. If you see it, do not submit the application. Withdraw and reconsider. Getting the card without the bonus is almost never worth it.

Don't apply too soon after another Chase business card. While Chase doesn't publish official velocity limits, data points from the community suggest waiting at least 90 days between Ink card applications. Some people wait 6 months to be safe.

Have your business information ready. You'll need an estimated annual revenue, monthly business expenses, and the nature of your business. Having these numbers in mind before you start the application makes the process smoother.

Apply in branch for potentially faster approval. The 100,000-point offer is available both online and in-branch. Some applicants report that applying in person, with a banker able to manually review the application, can help borderline cases. It's not guaranteed, but worth considering if you're uncertain.

The Bottom Line

A 100,000-point welcome offer on a no-annual-fee business card is genuinely exceptional. The Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited have always been among the best no-fee cards available, and this elevated bonus makes the case for applying even stronger.

The critical thing to internalize before you apply: the new cross-card restrictions mean this is a one-time decision for most people. If you've never had either no-fee Ink card, now is an outstanding time to get one. Pick the card that best matches your spending patterns, understand what you're committing to, and go in with a plan for redeeming the points at maximum value.

For most people, the Ink Business Cash wins if they have office or telecom spending, and the Ink Business Unlimited wins for everyone else. Both get you to 100,000 points. The decision is really about which card earns you the most after the bonus.

If you've already had both no-fee Ink cards, the Ink Business Preferred remains available with its own 100,000-point offer and a separate eligibility track. That's covered in detail in our Ink Business Preferred review.

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