What's the difference between Ink Plus and Ink Cash?

When you compare Ink Cash vs Ink Plus, one thing sticks out at you right away about these two business credit cards from Chase Bank: Only the Ink Cash card is available to new applicants. But it’s still worth seeing how they stack up against each other, especially if you already have Ink Plus and are thinking about making a change.

The biggest differences between Chase Ink Cash and Ink Plus are their annual fees ($0 for Ink Cash, $95 for Ink Plus) and rewards (cash back from Ink Cash, points from Ink Plus). And while the Ink Plus card’s initial bonus is no longer available, Ink Cash gives you $750 for spending $7,500 in the first 3 months. You can get the Ink Cash bonus even if you have the Ink Plus because they’re different Chase products.

The Ink Plus card’s main advantage vs Ink Cash is that you get to earn bonus rewards on more of your spending. Both give the equivalent of at least 5% back at office supply stores and providers of internet and phone services. But Ink Plus gives you that rate on up to $50,000 spent per year, while the Ink Cash limit is $25,000. And Ink Plus points are actually worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you have the Ink Plus card and spend way more than $25K per year in the bonus categories, keeping your account open may not be a bad idea.

Ink Cash vs Ink Plus:

• Annual Fee: Ink Cash has no annual fee. Ink Plus charges $95 per year.
• Initial Bonus: Ink Cash gives a $750 cash bonus when you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. You can no longer get an initial bonus from Ink Plus.
• 5% Back on Office Supplies & Telecom: Ink Cash gives 5% cash back on up to $25,000 spent per year on purchases from office supply stores and providers of phone, cable, and internet services. Ink Plus gives 5 points per $1 on up to $50,000 spent per year in the same categories.
• 2% Back on Gas & More: Ink Plus gives 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 on gas and hotel purchases each year. Ink Cash gives 2% back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases for both cards earn 1% and 1 point back, respectively. 
• Rewards Value: Cash back is cash back, so it’s obvious how much you’ll earn with Chase Ink Cash. Points are another story. You can get at least 1 cent per Ink Plus point, up to 1.25 cents each when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• APR: Ink Cash offers 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Its regular APR is 13.24% - 19.24% (V). Ink Plus didn’t offer intro APR specials, and its regular APR is 15.49%-19.49%.
• Employee Cards: Both Ink cards offer free cards for employees. You can set spending limits and their purchases earn the same rewards.
• Protected Purchases: Both Ink cards offer Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection, Return Protection, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.

If you have the Chase Ink Plus card and are thinking about a change, Ink Business Preferred gives points on similar categories up to $150,000 in combined spending. Chase also has the Ink Business Unlimited credit card, which simplifies rewards with an unlimited 1.5% cash back across all purchases.

Ink Cash is targeted towards new business owners, and has more lenient approval requirements in terms of length of credit history. Ink Plus is for well-estabilished busines owners with excellent credit and you need to spend a low with it to make the rewards worth it and compensate for the annual fee.