Chase adds new welcome bonus restrictions to its no-annual-fee business cards
Chase has recently implemented more stringent rules regarding the welcome bonuses for its popular no-annual-fee business credit cards: the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. This change reflects a broader trend within the issuer’s strategy to tighten eligibility across its credit card portfolio, a move that began with the Sapphire family of cards earlier this year. Effective immediately, Chase has introduced cross-card eligibility restrictions, meaning that if a cardholder has ever had one of these Ink cards, they will be ineligible to earn the welcome bonus on the other. For instance, a business owner who previously held the Ink Business Cash will not qualify for the bonus if they apply for the Ink Business Unlimited, and vice versa. This new policy is detailed in the updated terms and conditions, which state that the “new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you have ever had this card or any other Chase for Business card without an annual fee.”
This shift in policy is significant for small business owners who have historically leveraged both Ink cards to maximize their rewards. The Ink Business Cash offers up to 5% cash back in select categories, while the Ink Business Unlimited provides an uncapped 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Both cards do not charge an annual fee, making them attractive options for businesses looking to optimize their spending. Additionally, when paired with a premium card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the cash-back rewards can be converted into valuable, transferable points. However, with the new restrictions in place, the strategy of opening both cards to earn multiple welcome bonuses becomes less viable for newcomers, potentially diminishing the appeal of these cards for those seeking to maximize their rewards.
As Chase continues to tighten its bonus eligibility criteria, it signals a shift towards a more restrictive approach that mirrors trends seen with American Express and other issuers. This could indicate that Chase aims to limit duplicate sign-ups and encourage applicants to commit to a single product within each card family. The implications of these changes may extend to other Chase card families in the future, leading to a reevaluation of rewards strategies for business owners. As such, potential applicants should carefully consider their options and the evolving landscape of credit card rewards before applying for these popular Ink cards.
Chase
has quietly tightened the rules for earning welcome bonuses on two of its most popular business credit cards with no annual fee. This shift mirrors the issuer’s more restrictive approach across its broader portfolio, including the
Sapphire family of cards
in June.
What’s changing?
Effective immediately, Chase has added cross-card eligibility language to the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
(see
rates and fees
) and the
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
(see
rates and fees
).
In practical terms, you can no longer earn the welcome bonus on one card if you’ve ever had the other. Here’s how it now works:
If you previously had the Ink Business Cash, you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus on the Ink Business Unlimited.
If you previously had the Ink Business Unlimited, you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus on the Ink Business Cash.
ROCKAA/GETTY IMAGES
Chase added the following clause in the terms and conditions for both cards:
“The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you have ever had this card or any other Chase for Business card without an annual fee. We may also consider factors pertinent to your business in determining your bonus eligibility.”
This new wording creates a “family rule” for Chase’s no-annual-fee business products, bringing them more in line with the issuer’s recent limits on Sapphire-branded cards and echoing the
card family restrictions increasingly used by American Express
.
What does this mean for business owners?
You can still apply for — or product change to — either Ink Business card, even if you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus. However, many small businesses have historically opened both cards to maximize their rewards strategy. That’s because the cards earn:
Ink Business Cash
: Up to 5% back in select business categories
Ink Business Unlimited
: Uncapped 1.5% back on every purchase
Neither card charges an annual fee, and when paired with a
premium card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points
, such as the
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
(see
rates and fees
), the cash-back rewards convert into fully transferable
Chase Ultimate Rewards
points. Losing the ability to earn both bonuses makes that strategy slightly less appealing for newcomers.
Bottom line
Chase has spent this year tightening bonus eligibility, most notably by restricting bonuses for its Sapphire cards five months ago. With these Ink-family restrictions, it appears the issuer is continuing its effort to limit duplicate sign-ups while nudging applicants to commit to a single product within each card family. We wouldn’t be surprised to see this roll out to other Chase card families in the future.
Related:
Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
