Chase offers some of the most competitive and rewarding business credit cards on the market, catering to a wide range of business owners—from freelancers and side hustlers to established entrepreneurs with significant expenses. With a lineup that includes the popular Ink Business series and co-branded options with airlines and hotels, Chase provides tools to help businesses earn rewards, manage cash flow, and access valuable perks. As of April 5, 2025, the Chase business credit card portfolio stands out for its flexibility, generous welcome bonuses, and integration with the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. But with several options available, which one is the best Chase business credit card for your needs? This article dives into the top contenders, breaking down their features, rewards structures, and ideal use cases to help you decide.
Why Choose a Chase Business Credit Card?
Before exploring the individual cards, it’s worth understanding why Chase is a top choice for business owners. Chase business credit cards are renowned for their robust rewards programs, offering cash back, points, or airline miles depending on the card. They also provide practical benefits like no annual fees on some cards, introductory APR offers, and travel protections—features that can save money and streamline business operations. Additionally, Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program is one of the most valuable in the industry, allowing cardholders to redeem points for cash, travel, gift cards, or transfer them to travel partners for potentially higher value.
Chase cards are also accessible to a broad audience. You don’t need a large corporation to qualify—sole proprietors, freelancers, and even those with small side hustles can apply, often using their Social Security number instead of an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This inclusivity, combined with Chase’s reputation for customer service and widespread acceptance, makes their business credit cards a compelling option.
Top Chase Business Credit Cards in 2025
Let’s examine the standout Chase business credit cards, focusing on the Ink Business series—the cornerstone of Chase’s offerings—and a few notable co-branded options. Each card is evaluated based on its rewards, fees, welcome bonuses, and suitability for different business profiles.
1. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for Flexible Travel Rewards
Overview
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is widely regarded as the flagship Chase business card for its exceptional rewards potential and travel-focused benefits. It’s ideal for business owners who travel frequently or spend heavily in specific business categories.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. These points are worth $900 as cash back or $1,125 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠.
- Rewards Rate:
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent annually on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines.
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- APR: Variable APR ranging from approximately 20.24% to 26.24%, depending on creditworthiness.
- Additional Benefits: Cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim), trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary car rental coverage, and purchase protection.
Why It’s a Top Pick
The Ink Business Preferred shines for its versatility. The 3X earning categories align with common business expenses, making it easy to rack up points quickly. The welcome bonus is one of the most generous among Chase business cards, and the ability to transfer points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners (like United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and World of Hyatt) can significantly boost their value—sometimes exceeding 1.8 cents per point, according to industry valuations.
For example, a business owner spending $50,000 annually on travel and advertising could earn 150,000 points from those categories alone, plus additional points on other purchases. Paired with the welcome bonus, this card offers a fast track to substantial rewards. The $95 annual fee is reasonable given the benefits, especially for those who leverage travel perks or point transfers.
Best For
- Businesses with significant travel or advertising budgets.
- Owners who value flexible redemption options and want to maximize point value through travel partners.
Drawbacks
- The $8,000 spending requirement for the bonus may be steep for smaller businesses.
- No introductory APR, so it’s not ideal for financing large purchases interest-free.
2. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for Simplicity and No Annual Fee
Overview
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a no-fuss option for business owners who prefer straightforward rewards without tracking categories or paying an annual fee. It’s a great entry-level card for new entrepreneurs or those with diverse spending patterns.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 cash back (75,000 points) after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no caps or categories.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of around 17.49% to 23.49%.
- Additional Benefits: Primary car rental insurance, purchase protection, and free employee cards with customizable spending limits.
Why It’s a Top Pick
Simplicity is the Ink Business Unlimited’s strength. The flat 1.5% cash back rate ensures consistent rewards on all spending, from office supplies to client dinners, without the need to strategize bonus categories. The $750 welcome bonus is substantial for a no-annual-fee card, and the 0% intro APR offers flexibility for businesses needing to finance purchases over time without interest.
For a small business spending $40,000 annually, this card yields $600 in cash back yearly, plus the bonus in the first year—totaling $1,350 in value with no ongoing cost. Pair it with a premium Chase card (like the Ink Business Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve®) to convert cash back into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, enhancing its long-term value.
Best For
- New business owners or those with unpredictable spending.
- Anyone seeking a no-annual-fee card with a strong intro APR offer.
Drawbacks
- No bonus categories, so it may underperform for businesses with concentrated spending in areas like travel or office supplies.
- Lacks premium travel benefits like lounge access or robust trip protection.
3. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for Bonus Categories with No Annual Fee
Overview
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card strikes a balance between high rewards in key business categories and affordability, making it a favorite for small businesses with specific spending habits.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $350 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months (total $750).
- Rewards Rate:
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services.
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of approximately 17.49% to 25.49%.
- Additional Benefits: Purchase protection, extended warranty, and free employee cards.
Why It’s a Top Pick
This card excels for businesses with expenses in its bonus categories. A company spending $20,000 annually on office supplies and utilities could earn $1,000 in cash back at the 5% rate, while $10,000 on gas and dining adds another $200 at 2%. Combined with the $750 welcome bonus, the first-year value could exceed $1,950—all without an annual fee. The intro APR is a bonus for managing cash flow, and the rewards (technically earned as Ultimate Rewards points) can be pooled with other Chase cards for greater flexibility.
Best For
- Small businesses with regular spending on office supplies, utilities, gas, or dining.
- Owners who want high rewards without an annual fee.
Drawbacks
- Caps on bonus categories limit earnings for high spenders.
- Fewer travel perks compared to the Ink Business Preferred.
4. Ink Business Premier® Credit Card: Best for High Spenders and Cash Back
Overview
The Ink Business Premier® Credit Card targets established businesses with large expenses, offering a hybrid charge-card structure with premium cash back rates and a hefty welcome bonus.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate:
- 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more.
- 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
- Annual Fee: $195.
- APR: Flex for Business option allows certain purchases to be paid over time with interest; otherwise, pay-in-full each month.
- Additional Benefits: Cell phone protection, trip cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
Why It’s a Top Pick
Designed for businesses with big budgets, the Ink Business Premier rewards large transactions with a standout 2.5% cash back rate—unmatched among Chase cards for uncapped spending. A $20,000 equipment purchase, for instance, earns $500 in cash back. The $1,000 welcome bonus is the highest among Chase business cards, and the 5% rate on Chase Travel bookings adds value for frequent travelers. While the $195 fee is higher, it’s justifiable for businesses spending enough to offset it through rewards.
Best For
- Established businesses with frequent large purchases.
- Owners who prefer cash back over points and travel frequently.
Drawbacks
- Points aren’t transferable to travel partners, limiting redemption flexibility.
- High annual fee may not suit smaller operations.
5. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Best for Southwest Flyers
Overview
For businesses loyal to Southwest Airlines, this co-branded card offers airline-specific perks and rewards, making it a niche but powerful option.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate:
- 4X points on Southwest purchases.
- 3X points on hotel and car rental partners.
- 2X points on select business categories (e.g., internet, phone services).
- 1X point on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $199.
- Additional Benefits: 9,000 anniversary points, four upgraded boardings per year, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
Why It’s a Top Pick
Southwest fans benefit from the 4X points on flights and the path to Companion Pass status (fly your companion free with you). The 80,000-point bonus could cover multiple flights, given Southwest’s low-cost model, and the anniversary points help offset the $199 fee.
Best For
- Businesses whose travel revolves around Southwest Airlines.
Drawbacks
- Limited to Southwest’s network and rewards ecosystem.
- Higher annual fee with fewer universal perks.
How to Choose the Best Chase Business Credit Card
Selecting the right card depends on your business’s size, spending habits, and goals:
- For Simplicity and Low Cost: The Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash offers no-fee rewards with solid bonuses.
- For Travel and Flexibility: The Ink Business Preferred maximizes point value and travel perks.
- For High Spenders: The Ink Business Premier delivers top-tier cash back on large purchases.
- For Airline Loyalty: The Southwest Performance card caters to specific travel needs.
Consider your annual spending, whether you’ll use travel benefits, and if an annual fee fits your budget. Also, factor in Chase’s 5/24 rule—you may be denied if you’ve opened five or more cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
Conclusion
As of April 5, 2025, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card stands out as the best Chase business credit card for most users due to its generous welcome bonus, high rewards in key categories, and unbeatable redemption flexibility through Ultimate Rewards. However, the best choice varies by need: the Ink Business Unlimited excels for simplicity, the Ink Business Cash for bonus categories, the Ink Business Premier for big spenders, and the Southwest Performance for airline loyalists. Evaluate your business’s priorities, and you’ll find a Chase card that turns expenses into opportunities.