Chase Sapphire vs Ink: Which Rewards Card is Right for You

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The Chase Sapphire and Ink cards are two of the most popular rewards credit cards out there. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

If you're a business owner or freelancer, the Chase Ink Preferred Card might be a better fit, offering 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months. This bonus is significantly higher than the Sapphire Preferred's.

The Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee, while the Ink Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee as well. So, in terms of cost, they're a tie.

Welcome Bonuses and Offers

The welcome bonuses and offers are a great way to rack up a lot of rewards quickly, but they can be tricky to earn.

The Venture X Business Card offers a massive welcome bonus of 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months, but that's a lot of money to spend in a short period of time.

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In contrast, the Ink Business Preferred Card offers a welcome bonus of 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months, which is a much more manageable goal.

The Ink Business Cash offers a welcome bonus in the form of cash back, which can be a more straightforward and valuable reward, especially if you're already earning cash back on your purchases.

The Ink Business Premier offers an introductory welcome bonus of $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months, which is a significant reward, but requires a lot of spending.

The spending requirements to earn the welcome bonuses can be a major consideration when deciding which card to open, so make sure you can meet the spending requirements before signing up.

The Venture X Business Card's welcome bonus is usually more difficult to earn but also more lucrative, making it a better option for small business owners with higher expense levels.

Annual Fee

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The annual fee is a significant consideration when choosing between credit cards, and Chase's offerings are no exception. The Ink Business Preferred Card charges an annual fee of $95, which is relatively manageable compared to other business credit cards.

You can easily offset this annual fee by taking advantage of the card's bonuses and benefits. For example, if you receive $400 in value from the card's spending bonuses and another $200 in value from its benefits, you'll have a gross value of $600 annually, leaving you with a net value of about $505 after subtracting the annual fee.

The Ink Business Cash, on the other hand, doesn't charge an annual fee, making it a great option for small business owners who want to avoid paying cash upfront every year. However, if you expect to receive a significant amount of value from the Ink Business Preferred Card, it might be worth paying the $95 annual fee.

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The Ink Business Premier has a $195 annual fee, which is a large enough fee to scare off some potential cardholders. To come ahead after this annual fee, your small business would need to spend at least $10,000 at 2% cash back, compared to a card with no annual fee earning 1.5% cash back.

Rewards and Earning

The Ink Business Premier card offers a simple and straightforward rewards program, earning 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, and 2% cash back on all other purchases.

If you're looking for a card with a high base earning rate, the Ink Business Premier is a great option, earning 2% cash back on all other purchases.

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card takes a different approach, earning 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year.

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The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard offers a more complex rewards program, earning 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.

Here's a quick comparison of the rewards rates offered by some popular business credit cards:

The Ink Business Premier also offers 3X points on business purchases like shipping, advertising, and travel, on up to $150,000 each anniversary year.

Rewards Management

The Ink Business Preferred card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more. You can also transfer these points to airline partners or other loyalty programs.

One of the key advantages of the Ink Business Preferred is the ability to transfer points to airline partners. Capital One has 15 airline transfer partners, while Chase has 11. However, Chase's transfer partners include United Airlines MileagePlus, which may be a better option for U.S.-based travelers.

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If you don't plan on transferring your rewards to airline partners, the Ink Business Preferred card offers more valuable rewards when redeemed directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You'll get 1.25 cents per point, compared to 1 cent per point with the Venture X Business card.

Here's a comparison of the airline transfer partners for Capital One and Chase:

By transferring Chase points to certain loyalty programs, you can find redemption options that offer more than 1 cent per point in value. For example, you can transfer points to the World of Hyatt program and redeem for a room at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico for 23,000 points per night, which is equivalent to about 2.2 cents per point.

Benefits

The Chase Sapphire and Ink credit cards offer a range of benefits that can be valuable for business owners and travelers. The Ink Business Preferred offers a 25% value boost when redeeming Chase points for travel through Chase Travel℠, making it a superior benefit compared to the one-time cashback bonus offered by the Ink Business Cash.

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The Ink Business Preferred also includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and cell phone protection, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars in certain situations. In contrast, the Ink Business Cash has more limited benefits, including a first-year bonus equal to 10% of the cash back earned during the first year.

The Ink Business Premier offers several travel and shopping protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver. These protections can be valuable when things don't go as planned.

The Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Premier both offer employee credit cards at no additional cost, travel and purchase coverage, and fraud protection. These benefits can be especially useful for small business owners with employees.

Here are some key benefits of the Ink credit cards:

  • 25% value boost when redeeming Chase points for travel through Chase Travel℠ (Ink Business Preferred)
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and cell phone protection (Ink Business Preferred)
  • First-year bonus equal to 10% of the cash back earned during the first year (Ink Business Cash)
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver (Ink Business Premier)
  • Employee credit cards at no additional cost, travel and purchase coverage, and fraud protection (Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Premier)

Preferred vs Unlimited

The Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Unlimited credit cards are two popular options from Chase, but which one is right for you? Let's break down the key differences.

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The Ink Business Unlimited card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase, with a $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months. In contrast, the Ink Business Preferred card earns 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined shipping and other select business category purchases each year, as well as unlimited 1X points on all other eligible purchases.

Here's a quick comparison of the two cards:

Ultimately, the choice between these two cards depends on your business needs and spending habits. If you want a simple, high-reward cash back card, the Ink Business Unlimited might be the way to go. But if you're looking for a card that offers more flexibility and opportunities to earn points, the Ink Business Preferred could be a better fit.

Preferred vs Unlimited

The Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Unlimited credit cards are two popular options for business owners. The Ink Business Unlimited credit card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase made for your business.

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The Ink Business Preferred credit card, on the other hand, provides a more complex rewards structure. You can earn 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined shipping and other select business category purchases each account anniversary year.

One key difference between the two cards is the rewards earning potential. The Ink Business Unlimited card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases, while the Ink Business Preferred card offers a higher rewards rate in specific categories.

The Ink Business Unlimited card also offers a $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. This is a significant incentive for business owners who can meet the spending requirement.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' rewards structures:

Ultimately, the choice between the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Preferred credit cards depends on your business's specific needs and spending habits.

Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred Card offers a range of benefits that make it a solid choice for business owners. One major perk is the 25% value boost when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making each point worth 1.25 cents.

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You can also transfer points from other Chase credit cards to your Ink Business Preferred account, giving you even more flexibility. However, it's worth noting that transferring points to airline partners can often be worth more than redeeming through the Chase portal.

Adding authorized users to your account is free, and they'll receive their own physical card and spending limits if you choose to set them. This can be a great way to manage employee expenses and keep track of spending.

The Ink Business Preferred Card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for business owners who travel internationally. You can use your card anywhere Visa is accepted without incurring extra fees.

Chase also offers zero liability fraud protection, so you won't be responsible for any unauthorized charges. This gives you peace of mind and helps protect your business from financial losses.

Here are some of the Visa Signature Business benefits you'll have access to as an Ink Business Preferred cardholder:

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver
  • Travel and emergency assistance services
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Trip delay reimbursement
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Baggage delay reimbursement

These benefits can be incredibly valuable, especially if you travel frequently for business. Be sure to review them and understand what's included.

Comparison and Value

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The Chase Sapphire and Ink business cards offer distinct benefits that set them apart from one another. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card, for instance, offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. On the other hand, the Chase Ink Business Preferred card offers a welcome bonus of 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Ink Business Preferred also offers a 1:1 transfer ratio to Chase's partner programs, such as the World of Hyatt program, where you can redeem your points for hotel stays like the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, which costs 23,000 Hyatt points per night. This redemption would give you a value of about 2.2 cents per point. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred's points are only redeemable through the Chase Travel℠ portal at a rate of 1 cent per point.

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The Ink Business Preferred's elevated earnings rates and travel protections make it a valuable option for business owners with high annual expenses. However, it comes with a $195 annual fee. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Ink Business Unlimited card offers a low annual fee and cash back on most purchases made for your business.

Comparing Welcome Bonuses and Their Value

The welcome bonus is a great way to quickly rack up hundreds of dollars worth of rewards, but it's essential to consider the value of each bonus before making a decision.

The Chase Ink Business Cash offers a welcome bonus in the form of cash back, while the Ink Business Preferred's welcome bonus is in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. This difference in rewards is crucial when calculating the value of each bonus.

The spending requirements to earn the welcome bonus can vary greatly between cards. For example, the Venture X Business Card requires $30,000 in spending within the first three months to earn 150,000 miles, while the Ink Business Preferred Card requires only $8,000 in spending to earn 90,000 points.

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The Venture X Business Card's welcome bonus is usually more difficult to earn but also more lucrative, making it a better option for small business owners with higher expense levels. On the other hand, the Ink Business Preferred Card's welcome bonus is usually easier to earn but less valuable, making it a better option for small business owners with lower expense levels.

Here's a comparison of the welcome offers for the Venture X Business and Ink Business Preferred cards:

Consider your business's expense level and needs when choosing a card with a welcome bonus. Make sure you can meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus, and factor in the value of the rewards when making your decision.

Comparison to Others

The Ink Business Premier card has some limitations when it comes to redeeming rewards. Unfortunately, the cash-back rewards earned through the Ink Premier can’t be combined with other Chase credit cards.

A woman shopping online comfortably on her couch using a credit card and tablet.
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The Ink Business Unlimited card, on the other hand, offers a flat-rate cash back rewards program, earning 1.5% cash back on every business purchase.

To put this in perspective, if you have less than $40,000 in annual expenses, the Ink Business Unlimited card will likely be more rewarding than the Ink Business Premier after considering the annual fee.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' cash back rewards:

The Ink Business Preferred card offers a more flexible rewards program, allowing you to transfer earnings to Ultimate Rewards airlines and hotel partners when combined with another card.

Bottom Line

The Ink Business Premier card offers an unlimited 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% cash back on all other purchases.

You'll also earn $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, which can be a significant incentive for businesses with high initial expenses.

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The Ink Business Premier comes with a $195 annual fee, which may be a barrier for smaller businesses or those with lower annual expenses.

To break even on this fee, your business will likely need high overall annual expenses, or at least a few large transactions of $5,000-plus yearly.

Here are some key benefits and drawbacks to consider:

Ultimately, the value of the Ink Business Premier card depends on your business's specific needs and expenses. If you can maximize the card's earnings rates and benefits, it may be a worthwhile investment.

Key Information

If you're considering the Chase Sapphire vs Ink cards, here are some key facts to keep in mind.

Both the Chase Sapphire and Ink cards offer rewards programs, but they work differently. The Chase Sapphire cards offer travel rewards, while the Ink cards offer points that can be redeemed for cash or other rewards.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card has an annual fee, but it offers more ways to earn points than the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card. The Ink Business Unlimited card, on the other hand, has a low annual fee and offers cash back on most purchases made for your business.

Here's a comparison of the two cards:

Ultimately, the choice between the Chase Sapphire and Ink cards depends on your business needs and preferences.

Credit and Purchases

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When choosing between the Chase Sapphire and Ink credit cards, one of the key factors to consider is how they handle credit and purchases.

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers 5% cash back in select business categories, making it a great option for businesses that spend a lot in these areas. The card also offers 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases.

The Ink Business Premier earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, and 2% cash back on all other purchases. This card is ideal for businesses that spend a lot on travel.

Some other cards that offer high earning rates in bonus categories include the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard, which earns 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center, and the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, which earns 5% back in rewards or 90 day terms on eligible U.S. purchases at Amazon Business.

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Here are some key features of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card:

  • Earn up to $750 bonus cash back
  • 5% cash back in select business categories
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases
  • 17.49% - 29.99% variable APR after the intro period

Here are some key features of the Ink Business Premier:

  • Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more
  • Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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