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Chase Ink Business Preferred: The All-Around Card for Traveling Entrepreneurs

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  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. all-around-card-for-traveling-entrepreneurs.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 8:25 GMT by CNN

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Chase Ink Business Preferred: A Deep‑Dive Review of the “All‑Around” Business Credit Card

The world of business credit cards is crowded, but the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has managed to stand out in the CNN Underscored Money section by offering a potent mix of travel rewards, business‑focused perks, and a reasonable annual fee. The review on CNN Underscored gives a comprehensive look at what the card delivers, how it stacks up against its competitors, and whether it’s worth the $95 annual fee for the average small‑business owner or freelancer.

1. Quick Card Snapshot

2. Earning Points That Pay

3 × Points on Business‑Relevant Categories

The card’s most attractive feature is its 3 × points on business‑centric expenses. According to the review, this includes:

• Travel: Flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel‑related purchases.
• Office Supplies: Stationery, equipment, and office consumables.
• Telecommunications: Phone plans, internet service, and data plans.
• Shipping & Logistics: FedEx, UPS, and USPS freight.

The card also offers a 5 × points bonus on the first $150,000 of business travel and meeting expenses per calendar year, an addition that can significantly boost a busy traveler’s rewards haul. For example, a $1,000 business trip could earn 5,000 points—equivalent to $50 when redeemed for travel through Chase’s portal.

1 × Points on Everyday Purchases

Every other purchase—whether groceries, utilities, or coffee—earns the baseline 1 × point. While the review notes that this is less generous than some specialty cards (e.g., business cards that focus on office supplies or gas), it remains competitive within the broader business card landscape.

3. The Sign‑up Bonus: 100,000 Points

The 100,000‑point bonus—worth $1,000 when redeemed for travel—requires $3,000 in spending within the first three months. The article stresses that the spending threshold is realistic for most small businesses: “A typical office’s first‑month expenses often hit that $3,000 mark just by buying office supplies, traveling, and paying for services.”

The bonus is split into 25,000 points for travel and 75,000 points for everyday business expenses. This structure means that even if a business focuses mostly on travel, it still gets a sizable chunk of bonus points that can be applied toward any category.

4. Fees and Fine Print

Annual Fee

At $95, the annual fee sits mid‑range among high‑reward business cards. The review points out that while the fee is not negligible, the combined value of travel perks, the signup bonus, and the broad earning categories can easily offset the cost for most users.

Foreign‑Transaction Fees

One of the card’s standout benefits is no foreign‑transaction fees—an essential feature for global travelers. The article links to a side note about the comparative advantage of the Chase Ink cards over other cards like the Capital One Spark Miles and American Express Business Gold, which do charge foreign‑transaction fees.

Other Fees

There are no late‑payment fees for a “good‑standing” account and no balance‑transfer fees—though balance transfers are generally discouraged for business cards because they’re designed for credit‑card usage rather than debt consolidation.

5. Travel and Business Perks

Travel Insurance & Protections

The card includes a suite of travel protections:

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement for non‑refundable trips canceled or interrupted.
• Primary Rental Car Insurance: Coverage for most rental car companies.
• Lost or Delayed Luggage: Reimbursement for essential items.
• Purchase Protection: Coverage for new purchases if they’re damaged or stolen within a limited timeframe.

These benefits are framed in the review as “essential for business travelers who often pay for tickets and accommodation out of pocket.”

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit

Another bonus is a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees—useful for frequent flyers. The review links to a CNN Underscored travel guide that explains how to apply for these programs and why the credit can save time at airports.

Office‑Supply Rewards

The card’s 3 × points on office supplies are highlighted as a real business advantage, especially for startups and agencies that need to keep their supply chain running smoothly. The article compares the card to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited (which offers a flat 1 × point on all purchases) and the Chase Ink Business Cash (which rewards cash back on office supplies), arguing that the 3 × points on business categories make Ink Business Preferred the best pick for high‑volume spenders.

6. Redemption Options

The card’s Chase Ultimate Rewards portal is the primary redemption mechanism. Points can be:

• Travel: Book flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences.
• Transfer: Move points to 15 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio.
• Cashback: Redeem for statement credits (worth 1 ¢ per point).
• Gift Cards & Merchandise: Available through the portal but at lower point values.

The article points out that the 25 % boost on travel bookings through the portal can transform 3 × points into a 3.75 × value, maximizing the point’s worth.

7. Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Generous 3 × points on a broad set of business categories, including a special 5 × bonus for first‑year travel.
2. No foreign‑transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel.
3. Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protection.
4. $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
5. 100,000‑point signup bonus that’s achievable with normal business spending.
6. Flexible redemption—transfer partners and travel portal options.

Cons

1. $95 annual fee may be steep for micro‑businesses or freelancers with low travel spend.
2. Limited 1 × points on everyday purchases—not ideal for businesses that don’t travel or spend on telecoms.
3. No balance‑transfer or cash‑out options beyond the 1 ¢ per point cashback, limiting flexibility for debt consolidation.
4. High signup threshold for the bonus may feel like a hurdle for some small businesses that can’t quickly spend $3,000.

8. How It Compares to Other Business Cards

The CNN Underscored review briefly examines the card against a few contemporaries:

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited: Flat 1 × points, no bonus, lower annual fee ($95). Preferred by businesses that spend evenly across categories.
• Chase Ink Business Cash: 5 % cash back on office supplies, internet, and phone services. Best for high‑volume office spend but lacks travel bonuses.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: 2 × miles on all purchases, no foreign‑transaction fees, but a higher annual fee ($95) and fewer transfer partners.
• American Express Business Gold: 4 × points on two categories chosen per year. Good for those with a clear dominant spend category but not as versatile as the Ink Preferred.

The article concludes that Ink Business Preferred offers the richest point structure for traveling entrepreneurs and agencies that require both business‑expense rewards and travel perks, whereas the “Unlimited” and “Cash” variants serve more niche or low‑travel profiles.

9. Final Verdict

If you’re a small‑business owner or freelancer who frequently books travel, orders office supplies, or pays for telecom services, the Chase Ink Business Preferred could be a game‑changer. Its 3 × points on key categories, combined with a sizable 100,000‑point signup bonus and no foreign‑transaction fees, deliver strong value that can offset the $95 annual fee.

However, if your business rarely travels and your expenses are evenly distributed across many categories, you might find the 1 × points on everyday purchases less rewarding than a flat‑rate card. In that case, consider the Ink Business Unlimited or Ink Business Cash instead.

The CNN Underscored review ultimately recommends the card for those who want a “one‑stop shop” for travel and business spending—especially those who can comfortably meet the $3,000 spending requirement for the bonus and who appreciate the convenience of transferring points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners.

Key Takeaway

Chase Ink Business Preferred remains one of the most versatile and rewarding business cards on the market, but its value is maximized by frequent travel and substantial business spend. Weigh your spending habits, the $95 fee, and the bonus requirements to decide if this card is your next business financial ally.