As a savvy business owner, you might already understand the importance of capitalizing on every opportunity to maximize your credit card rewards. Sign-up bonuses can be a great way to supercharge your rewards. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and considerations of the Chase Ink business credit cards, including sign-up bonuses and how you might use them to add value to your business.
How do card sign-up bonuses work for business credit cards?
Sign-up bonuses for credit cards are incentives offered by credit card issuers to potential new cardmembers. These bonuses are designed to reward cardmembers for choosing a particular credit card and typically come in the form of rewards points, travel discounts, merchandise or cash back.
Most sign-up bonuses require you to meet specific spending requirements within a predetermined period of time. The requirement usually involves reaching a minimum spending threshold. For example, you may need to spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your credit card account in order to earn the bonus. It’s important to review and understand these terms before you apply for the card.
If you meet the spending requirements within the specified period of time, you’ll likely receive the bonus within one or two billing cycles. Once the bonus is processed, it will be added to your rewards account associated with the credit card. This can typically be accessed through thecard issuer’s online portal or rewards platform. For Chase, this platform is called Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
To be approved for a business credit card with this kind of bonus offer, your company will need to meet certain criteria. These may include factors such as your business credit score, revenue and how many years you’ve been in business.
You’ll want to note that many business credit cards with sign-up bonuses come with annual fees.
Things to know about sign up bonuses with Chase business cards
Chase business credit cards are known for their generous sign-up bonuses and cardmember perks. Once the minimum spending requirement has been met, the sign-up bonus will be awarded and you can redeem your points in lots of valuable ways for your business. You may also save them up for a later time.
Specifically with Chase, you have the opportunity to redeem your rewards within the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, an online portal where you can choose from a diverse range of reward options that align with your business needs.
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a point system that allows you to earn 1 or more points for every dollar you spend on certain Chase credit cards. Beyond travel and cash back, the redemption options through Ultimate Rewards may also include expense management tools, gift cards or discounts on business travel.
What are the benefits of card sign-up bonuses for business credit cards?
A sign-up bonus can translate into real value for your business and allow you to accumulate rewards, leverage them for immediate needs or put them toward future business expenses. Here are just a few benefits to consider:
Valuable rewards
Business credit cards often include sign-up bonuses tailored to meet certain business needs. These bonuses can include a substantial number of rewards points or cash back, once you meet the spending requirement. The accumulated rewards could be helpful for offsetting business expenses, funding business travel or using the cash back to reinvest in your business.
Cash flow
Small businesses may face cash flow challenges at times, especially during the early stages of growth. Sign-up bonuses could potentially help alleviate these concerns by providing an injection of cash back or rewards that are relevant to growing your business. In some cases, these funds can be used to cover things like operational expenses instead of dipping into cash reserves.
Immediate value
Sign-up bonuses can provide an influx of rewards or cash back upon meeting the spending requirements. This may be relevant for businesses that were imminently planning to make a large purchase anyway which would meet that threshold. Remember that any balance that isnot paid off by the end of the billing cycle will begin to accrue interest. It’s wise to only make purchases you’re able to pay off in full within a reasonable amount of time.
Which Chase Ink cards come with sign up bonuses?
At Chase, you can maximize credit card rewards for your business with a robust lineup of business cards, known as the Chase Ink family of cards. A valuable sign-up bonus can get you kick-started, followed by accelerated earning potential in certain bonus spend categories.
Not only that, but you can combine your rewards with other Chase consumer credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. Using two or more cards together as a team gives you the opportunity to supercharge your earning potential and may give you the ability to unlock additional redemption options.
Let’s take a look at the specifics of each business card.
Chase Ink Business Premier℠
With the opportunity to earn a sign-up bonus, businesses that have high spending each month may find they can maximize their cash back rewards when they use the Chase Ink Business Premier℠ credit card. These features include:
- Earn a sign-up bonus after you spend a minimum amount on purchases within the first three months of opening the card
- Earn 2.5% cash back on large business purchases of $5,000 or more
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases
This card also includes perks such as:
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- Account Alerts to monitor spending
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
With an easy-to-manage flat rate cash back on every purchase, small businesses who want a straightforward rewards program will likely find the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® credit card an easy one to manage. These features include:
- Earn a sign-up bonus after you spend a minimum amount on purchases within the first three months of opening the card
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- Low intro annual percentage rate
This card also includes perks such as:
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- Account Alerts to monitor spending
Chase Ink Business Cash®
For businesses that make frequent purchases at office supply stores and have ongoing internet and phone service expenses, the Chase Ink Business Cash® credit card may be a great choice. Plus, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers additional redemption options beyond cash back, which may add some appealing flexibility. The Chase Ink Business Cash credit card includes the ability to:
- Earn a sign-up bonus after you spend a minimum amount on purchases within the first three months of opening the card
- Earn 5% cash back on first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Chase Ink Business Preferred®
Your spending on the Chase Ink Business Preferred® card will earn you flexible Ultimate Rewards points (which can be transferred to partner airlines and hotel). Also, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn with this card are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel with Chase. Additional benefits include:
- Earn a sign-up after you spend a minimum amount on purchases within the first three months of opening the card
- Receive 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases within eligible categories
- Earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
This card also includes perks such as:
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- Account Alerts to monitor spending
Are business card sign-up bonuses worth it?
If you’re able to spend the minimum amount required to earn the bonus within the specified period of time, you might want to consider it for the reasons mentioned above. However, it’s essential to consider certain factors when evaluating the worth of a sign-up bonus. Most importantly, are you able to pay back your balance within a reasonable amount of time? And, do your general spending habits over time make it worth the annual fee, if there is one?
Be sure to evaluate your long term financial goals to help determine if a sign-up bonus will serve the needs of the business. Ultimately, business card sign-up bonuses may be beneficial for businesses that carefully evaluate the terms, responsibly manage their credit and utilize the rewards in a strategic way.
In summary
Sign-up bonuses for business credit cards may provide a helpful influx of rewards that your business can leverage wisely. Chase offers cards that come with a combination of generous rewards, flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards and an established reputation for serving small business owners.
If you’re considering a business credit card, be sure to weigh all aspects of managing that credit account, not just the size of the sign-up bonus.
