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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
February 6, 2025
What Is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card?
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a premium business credit card designed for companies with significant travel and advertising expenses. With a $95 annual fee, it offers generous rewards on business-essential categories, including 3X points on travel, shipping, advertising, and internet services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
One of its standout features is the ability to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ for 25% more value. The card currently offers a substantial welcome bonus: earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Ink Business Preferred® Card Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,250 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3X points on key business categories including travel, shipping, advertising, and internet services
- No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
- Comprehensive cell phone theft and damage protection when paying your monthly cell phone bill
- Flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 1:1 points transfer to travel partners
- Additional employee cards at no extra cost with individual spending limits
Cons:
- $95 annual fee
- High spending requirement ($15,000) to earn the welcome bonus
- 3X points category spending cap of $150,000 per year
- Requires excellent credit for approval
- Limited bonus categories compared to some competitor cards
Who Is the Ink Business Preferred® Card For?
This card is ideally suited for business owners who:
- Frequently travel for business and want to earn rewards on travel expenses
- Spend significantly on online advertising and internet services
- Want to separate business and personal expenses for tax reporting
- Need employee cards with customizable spending limits
- Value flexible reward redemption options, including 1:1 points transfer to airline partners like United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic
- Make international purchases and want to avoid foreign transaction fees
Comparing the Ink Business Preferred® Card with Other Business Credit Cards
When considering the Ink Business Preferred® Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:
Capital One Venture X Business:
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year
- Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, access is limited to eligible Card Members
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Ink Business Preferred® Card excels in offering generous rewards on business-essential categories
- Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks
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Consider Using Kudos to Maximize Your Rewards
While the Ink Business Preferred® Card offers excellent rewards, you can potentially earn even more by using Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension. Kudos helps you maximize your credit card rewards by automatically recommending the best card to use for each purchase, ensuring you never miss out on bonus categories or special offers.
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Our Expert Takeaway
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a solid choice for businesses that spend heavily on travel, advertising, and internet services. Its flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and comprehensive travel protection make it particularly valuable for business owners who frequently travel. While the $95 annual fee and high welcome bonus spending requirement might deter some, the card's benefits can easily outweigh the cost for businesses that can maximize its bonus categories.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card FAQ
What credit score do I need for the Ink Business Preferred® Card?
Generally, you'll need an excellent credit score (740+) for approval.
How do I redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points?
Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase TravelSM, transferred to travel partners at 1:1 ratio, or used for cash back, gift cards, and statement credits.
Are there blackout dates when using points for travel?
No, there are no blackout dates when booking through Chase TravelSM, though award availability may vary with transfer partners.
Can I add authorized users to my account?
Yes, you can add employee cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits for each user.
How does the cell phone protection work?
When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card, you'll receive up to $600 per claim for covered theft or damage, including involuntary and accidental parting.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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