Best Credit Cards for 2025: Top Picks for Rewards, Travel, and Low Fees

Introduction

For business owners, every dollar spent is an opportunity to improve cash flow and maximize resources. Choosing the right credit card goes beyond simply covering purchases it can actively contribute to your business’s bottom line. 

Cash back business credit cards are particularly appealing because they offer straightforward, flexible rewards that can be used to reinvest in your operations, pay off expenses, or fund growth initiatives. Among the numerous options available, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase consistently stands out. 

Tailored for small and growing businesses, this card provides robust cash back rewards, no annual fee, and valuable features designed to help business owners earn more from everyday spending while keeping costs low.

Why the Ink Business Cash® Card is the Best

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card strikes a rare balance between high-value rewards, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness, making it an excellent choice for business owners. 

Many business credit cards either focus on travel rewards or come with complicated point systems that are difficult to maximize. 

In contrast, the Ink Business Cash® card keeps things straightforward: it allows you to earn cash back in categories that reflect the everyday expenses of most businesses. This means you can generate real value month after month without changing your spending habits.

Here are the key reasons it is considered one of the best cash back business cards:

• No annual fee – Every dollar you earn goes straight back into your business without being offset by fees.

• High cash back rates in practical categories – Earn enhanced rewards on common business expenses like office supplies, internet services, and gas, helping you maximize returns on spending you already do.

• Generous sign-up bonus – A strong introductory offer provides an immediate boost to your cash back earnings, accelerating your rewards accumulation.

• Free employee cards – Adding employees at no extra cost lets you multiply rewards across your team’s spending.

• Purchase protection and extended warranty benefits – These features give additional peace of mind, protecting business purchases and extending manufacturer warranties at no extra charge.

This combination of features makes the Ink Business Cash® card not just a tool for managing expenses, but a strategic asset for growing your business.

Cash Back Reward Structure

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a straightforward and lucrative cash back system tailored to the everyday spending patterns of small and growing businesses. Here’s how the rewards are structured:

• 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services. This makes it ideal for businesses that rely heavily on technology, software, and office infrastructure.

• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year at gas stations and restaurants. This is perfect for businesses with frequent travel, client meetings, or employee meals.

• 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no spending limit, ensuring that every transaction earns value.

For businesses with significant expenditures on communication tools, transportation, or client-related meals, these categories can generate substantial rewards over time. By strategically channeling routine expenses like software subscriptions, utility bills, and office supplies through this card, you can unlock consistent cash back without altering your regular spending habits.

What Makes This Card a Must-Have

One of the standout features of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is how easy it is to redeem rewards. Unlike many business cards that require complicated point systems or limited redemption options, this card allows you to use your cash back flexibly: as statement credits, direct deposits, or even transfers to other Chase cards for travel rewards.

Additional benefits that make this card a must-have for business owners include:

• Generous introductory bonus – Many offers provide hundreds of dollars in cash back after meeting the initial spending requirement, giving your rewards a significant head start.

• No additional cost for employee cards – You can issue cards to employees at no extra charge, multiplying your rewards across your team’s spending.

• Rewards that never expire – As long as your account remains open, your accumulated rewards are safe, giving you long-term value without pressure to redeem quickly.

• Seamless integration with accounting tools – This feature simplifies bookkeeping, expense tracking, and financial reporting, saving time and reducing errors.

These features make the Ink Business Cash® card more than just a payment tool it becomes a strategic asset that helps businesses earn rewards, manage expenses efficiently, and support growth.

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

While the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers excellent rewards and benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential fees that could reduce your overall value:

• Foreign transaction fees – A 3% fee applies to purchases made outside the U.S., making this card less ideal for frequent international travel or overseas purchases.

• Late payment fees – Missing a due date can result in a fee of up to $40. Timely payments are crucial not just to avoid fees, but also to maintain your credit score.

• Cash advance fees – Using the card to withdraw cash incurs high fees and interest rates, so cash advances are generally not recommended.

The good news is that all of these fees are avoidable with careful management. Paying your balance on time, using the card primarily for business expenses within the U.S., and avoiding cash withdrawals will allow you to enjoy the card’s full benefits without extra costs.

Best Expenses to Maximize Cash Back

To get the most value from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, it’s important to align your spending with the card’s high-earning categories. By focusing on these areas, you can maximize cash back without changing your business habits:

• Internet, cable, and phone bills – These recurring expenses are part of the 5% cash back category, making them one of the easiest ways to consistently earn rewards.

• Office supply stores – Beyond basic supplies, many stores sell electronics, furniture, and even gift cards, all of which count toward the 5% cash back limit.

• Gas purchases – Ideal for businesses with company vehicles, frequent travel, or delivery services, as gas spending earns 2% cash back.

• Restaurants and client meals – Dining expenses for meetings or client entertainment also earn 2% cash back, helping you get rewarded for necessary business interactions.

By strategically using the card for these common business expenses, you can steadily accumulate cash back, turning everyday spending into a valuable source of revenue for your business.

My Experience with the Card

In my experience, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card delivers tangible value for everyday business spending. I routinely use it to pay for multiple software subscriptions, phone lines, and utility bills, all of which fall into the high-reward categories. 

The 5% cash back on these expenses added up faster than I initially expected, creating a steady stream of rewards that directly benefited my business cash flow.

Redeeming the rewards was simple and hassle-free there were no complicated point conversions or restrictions. I could apply the cash back directly to my account or use it as a statement credit, making it feel like an automatic boost to my budget. 

Over time, the accumulated savings made a noticeable difference in monthly expenses, reinforcing that a strategically chosen business credit card can be more than just a payment tool it can be a smart financial asset that supports growth and efficiency.

Tips to Maximize Rewards

To get the most from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, applying a few strategic practices can significantly increase your cash back earnings:

• Automate recurring bills – Set up automatic payments for internet, cable, and phone bills to consistently earn the 5% cash back without extra effort.

• Bulk-buy office supplies – Purchasing larger quantities of necessary supplies not only saves time but also maximizes rewards within the 5% category.

• Use employee cards responsibly – Issuing cards to trusted employees allows you to earn cash back on multiple streams of spending, multiplying your rewards quickly.

• Meet the minimum spend early – Completing the sign-up bonus requirement early ensures you receive the initial cash back boost as soon as possible.

• Pay your balance in full each month – Avoid interest charges that can negate your cash back gains; treating the card as a payment tool rather than a loan keeps rewards truly profitable.

By implementing these strategies, you can turn everyday business expenses into a consistent source of cash back, making your card work as hard as you do.

Conclusion

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card stands out as one of the top cash back options for small and growing businesses. Its rewards focus on the spending categories that most businesses already rely on office supplies, utilities, travel, and client meals making it simple to earn substantial cash back without changing your routine. With no annual fee, a generous sign-up bonus, and features like free employee cards and accounting tool integration, it provides real value that directly benefits your bottom line.

From my experience, this is a card worth keeping for the long term. By intentionally directing your business expenses through it and leveraging its high-reward categories, you can consistently save money and reinvest those rewards into business growth. The combination of simplicity, practical rewards, and low costs makes the Ink Business Cash® card a strategic financial tool that supports both daily operations and long-term planning.

For business owners who prioritize straightforward rewards, maximum value, and minimal fees, the Ink Business Cash® card is an excellent choice that truly delivers.

FAQ: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

1. What is the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card?

• It is a cash back business credit card from Chase designed for small and growing businesses. It offers rewards on everyday business spending, no annual fee, and features that help businesses manage expenses efficiently.

2. Why is it considered one of the best cash back business cards?

• The card provides high cash back rates on practical business categories like office supplies, internet, and gas. It also offers a generous sign-up bonus, free employee cards, purchase protection, and easy reward redemption.

3. How does the cash back reward structure work?

• 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services.
• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year at gas stations and restaurants.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no limit.

4. What expenses earn the most cash back?

• Maximize rewards by spending on internet, cable, and phone bills, office supply purchases, gas for business travel, and client meals or restaurant expenses.

5. Are there any fees I should be aware of?

• Foreign transaction fee: 3% on purchases outside the U.S.
• Late payment fee: up to $40.
• Cash advance fees: high fees and interest apply.

6. Can I issue cards to employees?

• Yes, you can add employee cards at no extra cost, allowing your team’s spending to earn additional rewards.

7. How do I redeem cash back rewards?

• Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or transferred to other Chase cards for travel rewards. There are no complicated restrictions.

8. Does the card offer any protection benefits?

• Yes, it includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage for business purchases.

9. How can I maximize rewards?

• Automate recurring bills in high-reward categories.
• Bulk-buy office supplies when possible.
• Use employee cards responsibly.
• Meet the minimum spend quickly to get the sign-up bonus.
• Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.

10. Is this card worth keeping long term?

• Yes, for businesses that regularly spend in the reward categories, the Ink Business Cash® card provides ongoing value, helps save money, and allows you to reinvest cash back into your business.