What is the annual spending cap on Ink Business Cash 5% categories?

The 5% rate applies to up to $25,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year across office supply stores AND internet, cable, and phone services combined. After $25,000, those purchases earn 1%. Separately, the 2% rate on gas stations and restaurants also has a $25,000 combined annual cap.

Chase Ink Business Cash Benefits and Rewards Guide

Q: What counts as an office supply store for the Ink Business Cash 5% category?

Chase defines office supply stores based on the merchant category code (MCC) assigned by the card network. Major chains like Staples and Office Depot typically code as office supply stores and earn 5%. The category does not include general merchandise retailers that also sell office supplies, such as Walmart or Target.

Q: Does Chase Ink Business Cash include primary auto rental coverage?

Yes. When renting for business purposes, declining the rental company's CDW and charging the full rental to the Ink Business Cash provides primary coverage — you file a claim directly with Chase rather than with your personal auto insurance first. Chase indicates coverage for most vehicles up to $60,000. Coverage limits and vehicle exclusions apply.

Q: Can Chase Ink Business Cash earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points?

Not on its own. Ink Business Cash earns cash back. However, if you also hold a Chase Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve, you can combine Ink Cash earnings into that account and convert them to transferable Ultimate Rewards points for airline and hotel partners.

Q: Is there a personal version of Chase Ink Business Cash?

No. The Ink Business Cash is a business credit card. However, many sole proprietors and self-employed individuals qualify for a business card using their sole proprietorship. The earning structure on the personal side has some parallels with the Freedom Flex (also with a 5% category cap), though the specific categories differ.

Chase Business

Chase Ink Business Cash

Last updated: June 19, 2026. Verify current terms, earning rates, and protections with Chase before applying or relying on coverage.

Core earning rates

5%Office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services — combined cap of $25,000 per anniversary year. After $25,000, these categories earn 1%.
5%Lyft rides (through September 2027).
2%Gas stations and restaurants — combined cap of $25,000 per anniversary year. After $25,000, earn 1%.
1%All other purchases and all purchases above annual category caps.

Card snapshot

Rewards currencyCash back (convertible to UR points if paired with Ink Preferred or Sapphire)

Primary categories5% office supply and internet/phone (up to $25k/year); 2% gas and restaurants (up to $25k/year)

Credit structureNo statement credits; no annual fee

Travel profilePrimary auto rental up to $60k; trip cancellation; no FTF

What this card is built around

The Chase Ink Business Cash is designed for businesses with meaningful spending on office supplies and telecommunications. The 5% rate on office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services makes it one of the highest-earning no-annual-fee business cards for those categories. Small businesses paying for software subscriptions billed to phone/internet, coworking space supplies, or recurring SaaS services through office supply store gift cards can extract significant value from this card.

Like the consumer Freedom cards, Ink Cash earns cash back natively. Paired with a Chase Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve, those cash back earnings convert to transferable Ultimate Rewards points — effectively turning the Ink Cash's 5% into 5x UR per dollar on business categories that most travel cards don't touch at anything close to that rate.

Category details

Office supply stores

Typically includes major chains like Staples and Office Depot when they code as "office supply stores" under the merchant category code (MCC) assigned by the card network. General retailers like Walmart or Amazon that also sell office supplies typically do not code as office supply stores and earn 1%, not 5%.

Internet, cable, and phone services

Recurring internet service providers, cable companies, and phone carriers typically code in eligible categories. SaaS subscriptions billed through these services may vary. The $25,000 annual cap is combined with office supply purchases — plan accordingly if either category is high-volume.

Gift card strategy note

Some businesses purchase third-party gift cards at office supply stores to effectively earn 5% on spending in categories the card doesn't directly bonus. This is a common strategy but involves resale risk, gift card terms, and merchant policy changes. Chase may adjust category eligibility without notice.

Annual spending cap planning

The $25,000 combined cap on 5% categories (office supply + internet/phone) and the separate $25,000 combined cap on 2% categories (gas + restaurants) both reset each anniversary year. Businesses that hit these caps may benefit from adding an Ink Unlimited for continued 1.5% earnings after caps are reached.

Ultimate Rewards pairing

How the pairing works

Ink Business Cash earns Chase Cash — redeemable at 1 cent per point as cash back. If you also hold a Chase Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve in the same Chase login, you can combine Ink Cash earnings into that account where they become fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Effective earning with pairing

With pairing, the Ink Cash's 5% on office supply and phone categories becomes 5x UR per dollar — transferable to United, Hyatt, Aeroplan, Flying Blue, and other partners. For businesses with high office supply or telecom spend, this can generate more UR points than most premium travel cards at a fraction of the annual fee cost.

Protections and coverage

Benefit What it may cover Key limits

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (Primary) Primary coverage for damage or theft of a rental car when renting for business purposes, declining the rental company's CDW, and charging the full rental to the card. Up to $60,000 for most covered vehicles. Must be renting for business purposes. Certain vehicle types excluded.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance May reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses when a covered trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason. Up to $1,500 per person, up to $6,000 per trip. Must charge trip to the card.

Purchase Protection May cover eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for a limited period after purchase. Up to $10,000 per claim, up to $50,000 per account. 120 days from purchase date.

Extended Warranty Protection May extend the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible products. Adds up to 1 year to warranties of 3 years or less on eligible purchases.

No Foreign Transaction Fees Purchases outside the United States do not incur Chase foreign transaction fees. Applies per card terms.

This card is a fit if…

Your business has meaningful annual spending on office supply stores and/or internet, cable, and phone services where the 5% rate compounds into significant rewards.
You hold or plan to hold a Chase Ink Business Preferred or Sapphire card to convert Ink Cash earnings into transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
You want primary auto rental coverage on business rentals without paying an annual fee — a meaningful perk at $0/year.
You're building a multi-card Ink stack where Ink Cash covers the 5% categories, Ink Unlimited or Ink Preferred covers other business spending.

FAQ

Chase Ink Business Cash questions.

What counts as an office supply store for the 5% category?

Chase applies the 5% rate based on the merchant category code (MCC). Major chains like Staples and Office Depot typically code as office supply stores. General retailers like Walmart, Amazon, or Target that also sell office supplies typically don't — those purchases earn 1%. Confirm specific merchants with Chase if uncertain.

Does Chase Ink Business Cash include primary auto rental coverage?

Yes, when renting for business purposes. Decline the rental company's CDW and charge the full rental to the card. Chase indicates coverage up to $60,000 for most covered vehicles. This is primary coverage — you file with Chase directly, not your personal auto insurance first. Vehicle exclusions apply.

Can Ink Business Cash earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points?

Not on its own — it earns cash back. If you also hold a Chase Ink Business Preferred, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve in the same Chase login, you can combine Ink Cash earnings into that account and convert them to transferable UR points for airline and hotel partners.

What is the annual spending cap on 5% categories?

The 5% rate applies to up to $25,000 per anniversary year combined across office supply stores AND internet, cable, and phone services. After $25,000, those purchases earn 1%. Separately, the 2% on gas stations and restaurants also has a $25,000 combined annual cap. Both caps reset each anniversary year.

Is there a personal version of Chase Ink Business Cash?

No. The Ink Business Cash is a business card. However, sole proprietors and self-employed individuals often qualify using their sole proprietorship. The consumer equivalent for no-fee rotating categories is the Chase Freedom Flex (5% quarterly rotating categories), though the categories differ significantly.

Related guides

More Chase Ink Business guides.

Sources

Chase Ink Business Cash benefits guide.