Last Updated: July 16, 2025

When it comes to business credit cards that deliver serious value, the Chase Ink Business Preferred consistently ranks among the top choices for entrepreneurs and small business owners. With its generous sign-up bonus, robust rewards program, and valuable business protections, this card has earned its reputation as a powerhouse in the business credit card space.

But is the Chase Ink Business Preferred worth it for your specific business needs? In this comprehensive review, we'll break down everything you need to know about this popular card, including its benefits, drawbacks, and how it compares to other options in the Chase Ink family.

Quick Verdict

The Chase Ink Business Preferred is an excellent choice for businesses with significant spending in travel, shipping, advertising, and communication categories. While the $95 annual fee might give some pause, the card's impressive earn rates and substantial welcome bonus can easily offset this cost for most businesses.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Key Specifications

The Chase Ink Business Preferred comes with a $95 annual fee that's easily justified by its generous earning structure and comprehensive benefits. The card offers no preset spending limit, giving businesses flexibility for large purchases and varying monthly expenses.

Rewards Structure: You'll earn 3x points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising purchases up to $150,000 in combined spending annually. After reaching this threshold, all purchases earn 1x points for the remainder of your card anniversary year.

Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first three months of account opening. When transferred to airline and hotel partners, these points typically provide approximately 2 cents per point in value.

Additional Benefits: The card charges no foreign transaction fees for international business expenses, and unlike many competitors, it doesn't offer a 0% introductory APR period on purchases or balance transfers.

Major Benefits and Features

Substantial Welcome Bonus

The Chase Ink Business Preferred offers one of the most generous welcome bonuses in the business credit card category. You'll earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 within your first three months. When redeemed strategically through transfer partners, this bonus can be worth up to $2,000 in travel value.

For context, if your business normally spends around $2,600 per month on eligible expenses, you'll easily hit this threshold and secure what amounts to a significant travel fund for your company. Business owners often use these points for flights through Going.com to find the best deals, then book with points for maximum value.

Exceptional Rewards Categories

This card truly shines with its 3x points per dollar spent in these key business categories:

• Travel purchases (flights, hotels, rental cars)
• Shipping costs (FedEx, UPS, USPS)
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Advertising purchases (Google Ads, Facebook ads, print advertising)

The $150,000 annual limit on 3x earning is generous enough for most small to medium businesses. After reaching this threshold, you'll earn 1x points on all purchases for the remainder of your card anniversary year.

Valuable Business Protections

The Chase Ink Business Preferred includes several insurance benefits that can save your business money:

Cell Phone Protection: Up to $1,000 coverage against theft and damage when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card. With a $50 deductible and up to three claims per year, this benefit alone can justify the annual fee.

Purchase Protection: Your business purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days after purchase, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. This is particularly valuable for expensive business equipment and travel gear.

Extended Warranty: The card extends manufacturer warranties by one additional year for eligible items with original warranties of three years or less.

Travel Benefits: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $5,000), trip delay reimbursement (up to $500), and rental car damage coverage provide peace of mind for business travel. These benefits are especially valuable when booking through Hotels.com or Expedia for business trips.

Detailed Value Analysis

Points Earning Potential

Let's break down the earning potential for a typical small business:

• Monthly shipping costs ($500): $500 × 12 × 3 points = 18,000 points annually
• Internet/phone services ($200): $200 × 12 × 3 points = 7,200 points annually
• Business travel ($1,000): $1,000 × 12 × 3 points = 36,000 points annually
• Advertising spend ($800): $800 × 12 × 3 points = 28,800 points annually

Total annual earning: 90,000 points (worth ~$1,800 when transferred to partners)

This earning potential far exceeds the $95 annual fee, making the card a clear winner for businesses with spending in these categories.

Points Transfer Value

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 14 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, including:

Airlines: United, Southwest, British Airways, Air Canada, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and more Hotels: Hyatt, Marriott (though Hyatt typically offers better value)

When transferred strategically, these points often provide 1.5-2.5 cents per point in value, significantly higher than the 1.25 cents per point when redeemed through the Chase travel portal. For detailed strategies on maximizing these transfers, check out our complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

Recent promotions have offered even better value - Chase frequently runs transfer bonuses that can boost your points by 25-65% when transferring to specific partners.

Pros and Cons Analysis

Pros

• Generous welcome bonus worth up to $2,000 in travel value
• High earn rates in valuable business categories
• No foreign transaction fees for international business (learn more about Chase cards with no foreign fees)
• Comprehensive travel and purchase protections
• Transfer partners provide excellent redemption flexibility
• No preset spending limit accommodates varying business needs
• Free employee cards to maximize earning potential

Cons

• $95 annual fee (though easily offset by benefits)
• No 0% intro APR period for large purchases or balance transfers
• Category restrictions may not suit all business spending patterns
• Approval requirements can be challenging for new businesses (consider using business formation services to establish business credit)
• $150,000 annual limit on bonus categories (though generous for most)

Who This Card Is Best For

The Chase Ink Business Preferred is ideal for:

Service-Based Businesses: Companies spending heavily on advertising, communication services, and client travel will maximize the 3x earning categories.

E-commerce Businesses: Online retailers with significant shipping costs and digital advertising spend will see substantial rewards accumulation. Consider using EasyShip for streamlined shipping solutions that earn 3x points.

Consulting Firms: Businesses requiring frequent travel and robust communication infrastructure benefit from both the earning structure and travel protections. Business insurance can provide additional protection alongside the card's benefits.

Established Small Businesses: Companies with consistent monthly spending of $2,000+ who can easily meet the welcome bonus threshold.

How It Compares to Alternatives

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

If you prefer simplicity and have diverse spending patterns, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited offers:

• No annual fee
• 1.5x points on all purchases (no category restrictions)
• $750 welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in 3 months
• Same transfer partners and protections (minus some travel benefits)

For a detailed comparison, read our Chase Ink Business Unlimited review.

When to choose the Unlimited: If your business spending doesn't align well with the Preferred's bonus categories, or if you want to avoid annual fees entirely.

Other Premium Business Cards

American Express Business Gold: Offers 4x points in selected categories but comes with a higher annual fee and different transfer partners.

Capital One Spark Cash: Provides flat 2% cash back with no annual fee but lacks the premium benefits and transfer options. For a complete comparison of business cards, see our ultimate guide to choosing the best business card for travel rewards.

How to Maximize Your Chase Ink Business Preferred

Strategic Spending Tips

1. Consolidate communication expenses: Pay all internet, cable, and phone bills with this card
2. Route shipping through bonus categories: Use FedEx, UPS, or USPS for maximum earning
3. Optimize advertising spend: Run Google Ads, Facebook advertising, and other promotional costs through the card
4. Book business travel directly: Earn 3x points on flights, hotels, and rental cars through Booking.com or CheapOAir

Transfer Partner Sweet Spots

• United Airlines: Excellent for domestic and international business class redemptions
• Southwest Airlines: Great value for domestic travel with no blackout dates
• World of Hyatt: Outstanding hotel redemption values, especially for premium properties
• Air Canada Aeroplan: Access to Star Alliance partners with competitive award pricing

For current transfer promotions and sweet spots, check out Chase's Points Boost system which can enhance redemption values even further.

Employee Card Strategy

Issue free employee cards to capture all eligible business spending across your organization. This strategy helps you:

• Reach the welcome bonus threshold faster
• Maximize category spending up to the $150,000 annual limit
• Maintain spending visibility and control

Application Requirements and Process

Eligibility Requirements

• Business registration (sole proprietorship acceptable)
• Good to excellent personal credit score (typically 700+)
• Ability to demonstrate business income
• Must be under 5/24 rule (fewer than 5 new credit cards in past 24 months)

For complete details on current terms and conditions, visit Chase's official business credit card page.

Application Tips

1. Prepare business documentation: Have your EIN or SSN, business address, and revenue information ready. If you need to establish your business formally, consider using business formation services.
2. Apply when you can meet the spending requirement: Ensure you can spend $8,000 in 3 months naturally
3. Consider timing: Apply when Chase is offering elevated welcome bonuses
4. Be accurate with business information: Provide honest revenue and business details

The Small Business Administration provides excellent resources for understanding business credit requirements and establishing business credit history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $95 annual fee worth it?

For most businesses with moderate spending in bonus categories, yes. The cell phone protection alone can justify the fee, and the welcome bonus provides substantial value in year one.

Can I use this card for personal expenses?

While technically a business card, occasional personal use is generally acceptable. However, for optimal rewards and simpler bookkeeping, use it primarily for business expenses.

What happens after I reach the $150,000 spending limit?

You'll earn 1x points on all purchases for the remainder of your card anniversary year. The limit resets annually on your account opening date.

Can I transfer points between Chase cards?

Yes, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points between your Chase cards, including to personal cards like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve for additional redemption options.

How quickly do points transfer to partners?

Most transfers are instant, though some partners may take up to 24 hours. This speed allows for last-minute bookings and award availability. Use tools like Expert Flyer to track award seat availability before transferring points.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns our strong recommendation for businesses with spending in its bonus categories. The combination of a substantial welcome bonus, high earning rates, valuable protections, and flexible redemption options creates compelling value that easily justifies the modest annual fee.

Apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred if:

• Your business spends $500+ monthly in bonus categories
• You value travel protections and purchase insurance
• You want access to premium transfer partners
• You can meet the $8,000 spending requirement naturally

Consider the Chase Ink Business Unlimited instead if:

• You prefer no annual fee
• Your spending is diverse across many categories
• You want simplicity over maximum earning potential

For most business owners, the Chase Ink Business Preferred represents an excellent entry point into the world of premium business rewards, offering the perfect balance of earning potential, benefits, and cost. The card's generous welcome bonus alone can fund significant business travel, while its ongoing earning structure provides lasting value for years to come.

Whether you're booking flights through Going.com, securing business travel through Agoda, or protecting your business with comprehensive insurance, this card enhances every aspect of your business spending strategy.

For additional strategies on maximizing business rewards, check out our ultimate guide to free travel and learn about credit card retention offers to maximize your long-term value.

Ready to start earning? The Chase Ink Business Preferred's current welcome bonus won't last forever, making now an ideal time to apply and start maximizing your business spending.