Is the Ink Business Cash credit card worth it?

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase comes with a solid welcome offer, charges no annual fee and features a tiered cash back program that can help business owners generate plenty of rewards when they use the card.

But that doesn’t mean this card is right for every business owner. To earn the most cash back, you’ll need to spend plenty at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. If these aren’t major expenses of your business, this business credit card might not be your best choice.

When is the Ink Business Cash worth it?

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card can be a valuable addition to your wallet, depending on your business’s main expenses. Here’s a look at a few specific scenarios where the card may make sense for you.

You often spend at office supply stores and on internet and phone services

Depending on your business expenses, you can earn cash back quickly with this card. You’ll earn 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 you spend in a year on combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. It’s important to note each year starts on the anniversary of the date you signed up for your card.

You’ll also earn 2 percent cash back on the first $25,000 that you spend in a year at gas stations and restaurants, along with 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.

You don’t want to pay fees for additional employee cards

The Ink Business Cash card is inexpensive. It doesn’t charge an annual fee, and you can add employee cards at no additional cost. You can also set individual employee spending limits on these cards to prevent overspending, and you’ll earn cash back rewards on the purchases your employees make with their cards.

You want plenty of business-focused perks

This card also provides perks that help protect your business. For instance, the Ink Business Cash offers zero liability protection, meaning you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.

It also comes with purchase protection, which covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

You can take advantage of the card’s extended warranty protection, too. This service extends the length of a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

And if you travel frequently, you might benefit from the Ink Business Cash card’s travel and emergency assistance services. This perk provides medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance when you’re traveling.

You want a generous welcome offer

The Ink Business Cash card is offering a welcome bonus of $750 cash back for cardholders who spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening their accounts. For a no-annual-fee business credit card, this cash back welcome bonus is certainly worth considering.

When is the Ink Business Cash not worth it?

While the Ink Business Cash card is a good fit for many small-business owners, depending on your spending habits and how much you spend each year, it might not be the right card for you.

You don’t spend much within the card’s categories

If you don’t spend much at office supply stores or on your internet, cable or phone services, you might be better off with a flat-rate cash back business card, like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card — which offers 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase you make. After all, the Ink Business Cash only earns you 1 percent back on non-category purchases.

You charge too much each year

One of the drawbacks of the Ink Business Cash is that there are limits to how much you can spend and still earn either 5 percent or 2 percent back.

You’ll only earn 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases you make each year at office supply stores or on internet, cable and phone service purchases. If you go over that limit, you’ll only earn 1 percent cash back — until you move past your account anniversary date and start a new year of spending.

That same $25,000 yearly spending limit applies for the 2 percent cash back you’ll earn on purchases at gas stations and restaurants. If you spend more than that in a year, you’ll only earn 1 percent on these purchases until your next spending year begins.

Should you get the Ink Business Cash?

The Ink Business Cash card might be a good fit if your small business has relatively low expenses, thanks to its spending cap on both 5 percent and 2 percent category purchases. If your business expenses generally don’t rise past $25,000 per year in these categories, and if internet, phone, cable and office supplies are some of your biggest expenses, the Chase Ink Business Cash could prove lucrative for you.

If your business expenses regularly soar past that $25,000 limit each year, though, you might consider an alternative business card that gives you unlimited cash back on all purchases.

As another flat-rate example, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers an unlimited 2 percent cash back on all purchases, with no yearly limits. And as the cherry on top, you can also earn a heightened 5 percent back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus an attractive cash back welcome bonus: $500 when you spend $5,000 in the first three months of card ownership, plus an additional $500 when you spend $50,000 in the first six months.

Be aware, though, the Spark Cash Plus charges a $150 annual fee.

Bottom line

If you’re interested in a cash back business card that can generate rewards quickly, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card might be a good fit for your wallet. The key is to make sure you spend enough — but not too much — in the categories that will earn you 5 percent or 2 percent cash back. If you do, the Business Cash card could provide a boost to your business’s bottom line each year.

If you spend in a wider variety of categories, consider a business card that offers unlimited cash back on all purchases. Review our list of the best business credit cards for a comprehensive look at the top options on the market.