Key Points

• The Ink Business Premier earns 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, making it unmatched for large business transactions.
• With a $195 annual fee, you'll need to spend $39,000 on large purchases to break even compared to a flat 2% card.
• Unlike other Ink cards, rewards can't be transferred to travel partners, limiting your redemption flexibility.

Introduction

The Chase Ink Business Premier is the outlier in Chase's business card lineup. While the Ink Business Preferred appeals to points collectors and the Ink Business Cash targets bonus category maximizers, the Premier takes a different approach: pure cash back for businesses that make large purchases.

The card's value proposition is straightforward. Earn 2.5% cash back on any single transaction of $5,000 or more, 2% on everything else, and 5% on travel booked through Chase. There's a $195 annual fee and a generous welcome offer of $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 in three months.

But here's the question most business owners need answered: does the 0.5% bonus on large purchases justify that annual fee? And more importantly, is giving up Chase's valuable Ultimate Rewards transfer partners worth the simplicity of straight cash back?

Quick Summary

Best For: Established businesses with regular purchases of $5,000 or more
Standout Benefit: 2.5% cash back on large transactions (unmatched in the market)
Biggest Drawback: No transfer partners means you can't leverage Chase's valuable airline and hotel partners
Current Offer: $1,000 cash back after $10,000 spend in three months

Chase Ink Business Premier Overview

The Ink Business Premier launched in late 2021 as Chase's answer to businesses demanding simpler rewards without category restrictions. Unlike the Ink Business Preferred's bonus categories with spending caps, the Premier offers unlimited earning at flat rates.

Here's what sets it apart from other business cash back cards: that 2.5% rate on purchases of $5,000 or more. Most business credit cards top out at 2% cash back, making the Premier's extra 0.5% genuinely unique.

The card comes with a $195 annual fee, but Chase sweetens the deal with a $1,000 welcome bonus. You'll need to spend $10,000 in the first three months to earn it, which should be manageable for any business considering a card with this annual fee.

One critical detail: the Premier earns "cash back" in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points (100 points = $1 cash back). However, these points are locked at 1 cent per point for cash redemptions. You cannot transfer them to airline and hotel partners, and you can't move them to other Chase cards to unlock transfer abilities.

Key Features and Benefits

2.5% Cash Back on Large Purchases

The Premier's signature benefit is 2.5% cash back on any single purchase of $5,000 or more. This isn't a category bonus with caps. It applies to everything: inventory restocking, equipment purchases, software subscriptions, or that $8,000 trade show booth.

A few important details about how this works:

Transaction-based, not purchase-based: If you order $10,000 in inventory but your vendor charges you in five separate $2,000 transactions, you'll only earn 2% on each. The transaction itself must be $5,000 or more.

Watch for partial shipment charges: Some retailers charge your card when items ship, not when you order. A $6,000 order split across three shipments might trigger three separate charges under $5,000 each.

It stacks with everything: There are no exclusions. Office supplies, advertising, travel, dining, and even gift cards for client appreciation all qualify as long as the single transaction hits $5,000.

Let's put this in perspective. Spending $50,000 on purchases of $5,000 or more earns $1,250 in cash back. A standard 2% card would earn $1,000. That $250 difference more than covers the $195 annual fee.

2% on All Other Purchases

Every purchase under $5,000 earns a flat 2% cash back. No categories to track, no quarterly activations, no spending caps. Just consistent 2% on everything from your morning coffee run to your annual insurance premium.

This puts the Premier in line with cards like the Capital One Spark Cash Plus for everyday spending. The difference comes down to how often you make those larger purchases.

5% Cash Back Through Chase Travel

Book flights, hotels, rental cars, or experiences through the Chase Travel portal and earn 5% cash back. This includes both business trips and personal travel when you use your business card.

However, there's a catch compared to the Ink Business Preferred. With the Preferred, your points are worth 1.25 cents each when booking through Chase Travel. That effectively makes it 6.25% back on travel bookings. The Premier's 5% cash back (at 1 cent per point) falls short.

For businesses with significant travel spending, this difference adds up quickly.

Cell Phone Protection

Pay your monthly cell phone bill (even your personal line) with the Ink Business Premier and get up to $1,000 in protection against theft or damage per claim. There's a $100 deductible and a maximum of three claims per year.

This benefit covers all phones on your bill, making it valuable if you're paying for employee devices. Most cell phone protection plans cost $10-15 per month per device, so this benefit alone can save $500+ annually for businesses with multiple lines.

Primary Rental Car Coverage

When you rent a car for business, the Ink Business Premier provides primary collision damage coverage. "Primary" means the card's insurance kicks in before your personal auto insurance, protecting you from premium increases.

This benefit can save $15-30 per day on rental car counter insurance. For businesses that rent frequently, it's worth several hundred dollars annually.

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

Your purchases are protected against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per item). The card also extends manufacturer warranties by an additional year on eligible items with original warranties of three years or less.

These protections apply to equipment, electronics, furniture, and other business purchases. While you hopefully won't need them often, they add peace of mind when making significant investments.

Free Employee Cards

Add authorized user cards for employees at no additional cost. You can set individual spending limits and receive purchase alerts for each card, giving you control over company spending.

This is standard across Chase business cards, but it's worth noting given how valuable it is for growing businesses. There's no limit to how many employee cards you can add.

Earning Structure Deep Dive

Here's where the Ink Business Premier gets interesting. The math works very differently depending on your spending patterns.

Scenario 1: $100,000 annual spending with $60,000 in large purchases

• Large purchases: $60,000 × 2.5% = $1,500
• Other purchases: $40,000 × 2% = $800
• Total earnings: $2,300
• Minus annual fee: $2,105 net
• Effective return: 2.11%

Scenario 2: $100,000 annual spending with $20,000 in large purchases

• Large purchases: $20,000 × 2.5% = $500
• Other purchases: $80,000 × 2% = $1,600
• Total earnings: $2,100
• Minus annual fee: $1,905 net
• Effective return: 1.91%

Scenario 3: $100,000 annual spending with no large purchases

• All purchases: $100,000 × 2% = $2,000
• Minus annual fee: $1,805 net
• Effective return: 1.81%

The breakeven point is clear: you need $39,000 in purchases of $5,000 or more annually to justify the Premier over a no-annual-fee 2% card. Below that threshold, you're paying more in fees than you're earning in bonus rewards.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The 2.5% cash back rate on large purchases is genuinely unmatched in the current market, giving businesses that regularly make significant purchases a consistent edge over other cash back options.
• Earning structure is incredibly simple with no bonus categories to track, quarterly activations, or spending caps to monitor throughout the year.
• Welcome bonus of $1,000 provides strong initial value that effectively subsidizes the annual fee for the first two years.
• Free employee cards with spending controls let you earn rewards on all company spending while maintaining oversight.

Cons

• The $195 annual fee requires $39,000 in large purchases annually just to break even compared to a standard 2% card.
• Rewards cannot be transferred to Chase's airline and hotel partners, eliminating the opportunity to maximize value that other Ultimate Rewards cards provide.
• The 5% earning rate on Chase Travel bookings falls behind the effective 6.25% back you'd get with the Ink Business Preferred.
• High welcome bonus spending requirement of $10,000 in three months may be challenging for smaller businesses.

How the Ink Business Premier Compares

Ink Business Premier vs. Ink Business Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred is the most natural comparison. Both are premium Chase business cards, but they serve different needs.

The Preferred earns 3x points (not cash back) on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising up to $150,000 per year. It has a lower $95 annual fee. Most importantly, its points transfer to airline and hotel partners at full value.

Choose the Preferred if: You want transfer partner access, spend heavily in its bonus categories, or prioritize travel redemptions. Points collectors and frequent travelers will find significantly more value here.

Choose the Premier if: You make regular purchases over $5,000, prefer cash back simplicity, or primarily redeem for statement credits rather than travel.

Ink Business Premier vs. Ink Business Unlimited

The Ink Business Unlimited is the budget-friendly option. It earns a flat 1.5% cash back on everything with no annual fee. Its points also transfer to other Chase cards, giving you flexibility.

The math is straightforward. The Premier needs to earn at least $195 more in rewards annually to justify its fee. That requires about $39,000 in spending on purchases of $5,000 or more.

Choose the Unlimited if: Your annual spending is under $200,000, you rarely make purchases over $5,000, or you want the flexibility to transfer rewards to other Chase cards later.

Choose the Premier if: You regularly exceed $5,000 per transaction and want to maximize your return on those specific purchases.

Ink Business Premier vs. Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the Premier's closest direct competitor. It earns 2% cash back on everything with no foreign transaction fees, has a $150 annual fee, and offers a $150 annual bonus when you spend $150,000 per year.

The Spark Cash Plus wins if: You want flat 2% on everything regardless of transaction size, prefer Spark Miles over cash (which can be more valuable), or consistently spend over $150,000 annually to trigger the spending bonus.

The Premier wins if: You regularly make purchases over $5,000 and want to maximize returns on those specific transactions with the 2.5% rate.

The decision often comes down to your purchasing patterns. Businesses with many small transactions favor the Spark Cash Plus. Those with fewer, larger transactions favor the Premier.

Who Should Get the Ink Business Premier

Great Fit For:

High-volume wholesalers and retailers: If you regularly restock inventory in orders of $5,000 or more, the Premier's 2.5% rate makes it the best card in your wallet for those transactions.

Service businesses with large recurring expenses: Marketing agencies buying $10,000 in ad spend monthly, construction companies ordering $15,000 in materials, or consultancies paying $8,000 software subscriptions.

Businesses that value cash flow over travel perks: If you'd rather reduce your monthly credit card bill by $2,000 than have points for a future vacation, straight cash back provides that immediate benefit.

Companies with solid credit seeking business credit: The Premier reports to business credit bureaus, helping you build a business credit profile separate from your personal credit.

Not Ideal For:

Small businesses with mostly small transactions: If your average purchase is $200 and you rarely break $5,000 in a single transaction, the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited make more sense.

Points collectors who want maximum travel value: The inability to transfer to partners is a dealbreaker if you're building up Chase points for award travel.

Businesses unable to pay in full monthly: This isn't a card for carrying balances. The APR ranges from 17.74% to 25.74%, and interest charges will quickly erase any rewards earned.

New businesses under Chase's 5/24 rule: If you've opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application regardless of your business credentials.

Application Requirements and Process

Chase doesn't publish minimum credit score requirements, but data suggests you'll need a personal credit score of at least 690 for approval, with 740+ giving you the strongest chances. The Ink Business Premier is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, meaning you generally can't be approved if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months.

You'll need basic business information to apply:

• Legal business name and structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.)
• Business address
• Tax ID number (EIN) or Social Security Number for sole proprietorships
• Estimated annual business revenue
• Years in business

Don't let "business" scare you. Sole proprietors with side businesses, freelancers, and even those with nascent business ideas can qualify. Chase accepts businesses of all sizes. However, given the card's focus on large purchases, it's clearly designed for businesses with established revenue and spending.

The welcome bonus eligibility is per card, not per person. You can hold multiple Ink cards and potentially qualify for the welcome bonus on each. If you currently have the Ink Business Preferred or Ink Business Cash, you can still apply for the Premier and earn its welcome bonus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transfer Ink Business Premier rewards to other Chase cards or travel partners?

No. While the Premier earns Ultimate Rewards points, they're locked at 1 cent per point for cash redemptions. You cannot transfer them to airline and hotel partners, nor can you move them to other Chase cards to unlock transfer capabilities. If you want access to Chase's transfer partners, you need the Ink Business Preferred or a personal card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Does the Ink Business Premier count toward Chase's 5/24 rule?

Yes and no. As a business card, it won't add to your 5/24 count (it doesn't appear on personal credit reports). However, you likely need to be under 5/24 to be approved for it. Chase uses 5/24 as an application filter for most of its cards, including business cards.

How does the $5,000 threshold work with returns or partial charges?

The 2.5% rate applies to the transaction amount at the time of purchase. If you buy $6,000 in equipment and later return $2,000 worth, you'll earn 2.5% on the full $6,000 initially. The $2,000 return will be credited back at 2.5% as well. However, if a vendor charges you in multiple transactions (like charging when each item ships), each charge needs to be $5,000+ individually to earn 2.5%.

Can I add employee cards and set spending limits?

Yes. Employee cards are free and unlimited. You can set individual spending limits for each employee card through your Chase account dashboard. You'll also receive alerts when employees use their cards, giving you real-time visibility into company spending. All employee card purchases earn the same rewards rates as the primary card.

What's the credit limit on the Ink Business Premier?

Credit limits vary widely based on your personal credit, business revenue, time in business, and existing relationship with Chase. Small businesses ($100K-$500K revenue) typically see limits of $5,000-$15,000. Mid-size businesses ($500K-$2M revenue) often receive $15,000-$35,000. Larger businesses ($2M+ revenue) may receive $35,000-$50,000 or higher. Your personal credit score and payment history with Chase both factor heavily into the initial limit.

Does Chase offer increased bonuses on the Ink Business Premier?

Occasionally, yes. The standard offer is typically $1,000 cash back for $10,000 in spend. Chase occasionally runs targeted or public promotions with higher bonuses. We track these offers in our deal alerts section. The best strategy is to apply when you genuinely need the card rather than waiting for a potentially higher offer that may not materialize.

Final Verdict

The Chase Ink Business Premier succeeds at exactly what it's designed to do: maximize cash back for businesses that make large purchases. That 2.5% rate on transactions of $5,000 or more is unmatched, and for businesses that regularly cross that threshold, the math clearly works in their favor.

However, the trade-off is real. By choosing cash back over transferable points, you're giving up access to Chase's valuable airline and hotel partners. For points enthusiasts who know how to maximize transfer partner value, that's a significant sacrifice.

The ideal candidate for this card is a business owner who makes regular purchases of $5,000 or more, prefers the simplicity of cash back, and doesn't prioritize travel redemptions. If that describes you, the Ink Business Premier should be in your wallet.

If you're under the $39,000 annual threshold for large purchases, or if you want access to transfer partners for future travel, look at the Ink Business Preferred instead. And if you're still building your business credit card strategy, consider starting with the no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited before graduating to premium options.

Apply for the Ink Business Premier here and start earning 2.5% on your large business purchases.

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