How Chase Ink Business Cards Help Families Earn More Travel Points

How Chase Ink Business Cards Help Families Earn More Travel Points

If you’ve already dipped your toes into earning travel rewards with personal credit cards, you may be wondering: What’s next?

Here’s our answer—business credit cards. Especially the Chase Ink lineup.

These cards are a smart way to:

• Earn generous welcome offers
• Boost your everyday spending with valuable bonus categories
• Keep your travel points strategy going for the long run

And no, you don’t need a registered LLC or brick-and-mortar business to qualify. Let’s break down how this works—and why it makes sense for families like yours.

You Might Already Qualify for a Business Card

This is where many people pause: Do I really qualify for a business credit card?

If you earn income—or even plan to—from any small or side business activity, you likely qualify. You’re considered a sole proprietor, which is a valid business structure. This is very common and widely accepted by banks.

Some examples:

• Selling items online (Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, eBay)
• Tutoring, babysitting, coaching, or teaching music
• Photography or social media services
• Freelance writing or design
• Rideshare driving or delivery services
• Starting a blog or planning to offer a product or service
• short-term or long-term rental property

Even if you’re just getting started, banks recognize intent to operate a business.

We personally know families who have been approved using just their own name, home address, social security number, and estimated business income.

Why Chase Business Cards Make Sense for Families

1. They Don’t Count Toward Your Chase 5/24 Total

The Chase 5/24 rule is a well-known guideline: If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months (across any bank), Chase will decline you for new cards.

This is where Chase business cards shine: They do not appear on your personal credit report and therefore do not count toward your 5/24 total.

That means you can:

• Open and enjoy the high welcome bonuses of Chase business cards
• Still leave space to open personal cards later
• Keep your travel rewards strategy going without running out of options

This flexibility is one of the best secrets for making this points hobby sustainable. It allows you to pace yourself, open cards when the timing is right, and continue earning over time.

** Just be aware that some business cards from other banks do count toward 5/24. But the large majority do not. When in doubt, you can always refer to your Travel Freely app. 

2. They Offer Generous Bonuses and Everyday Earning Potential

Chase’s Ink business cards are some of the most valuable cards in the Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem. Each one has a specific role—and a big welcome offer.

Current welcome offers (as of writing):

Ink Business Preferred®: 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in 3 months, $95 annual fee

Ink Business Cash®: 75,000 points after $6,000 spend in 3 months, no annual fee

Ink Business Unlimited®: 75,000 points after $6,000 spend in 3 months, no annual fee

** The Ink Business Premier is strictly a cash back card -- this will not help you earn points

That’s up to 240,000 points for one person—and if both spouses apply, you could double that. You can even refer your partner and earn additional referral bonuses (20k points per referral). These points add up quickly!

Each card also has its own strength:

Ink Preferred®: 3x points on travel, including Airbnb and rental cars

• The Ink Business Preferred® card is the only one of the three with an annual fee—but we think it’s well worth it.
• 90,000-point welcome offer is the highest of any Chase Ultimate Rewards card
• 3x points on travel purchases, including Airbnb and car rentals. This is by far my favorite perk of the Ink Preferred. When you need to pay out of pocket for travel, this is one of the highest multipliers out there!
• Cell phone protection when you pay your bill with the card

If you’re looking for a card that gives you premium rewards and full flexibility, this one is it. You can even use it in place of a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve® to unlock transfer capabilities for your points.

Ink Cash®: 5x on internet, cable, phone, and office supply stores

• Many people utilize the 5x on office supply stores to purchase gift cards. Think gifts, but also Airbnb or Disney gift cards!
• No annual fee 

Ink Unlimited®: 1.5x on every purchase with no caps

• This is a decent card to keep on hand for everyday spend!
• No annual fee

3. You Can Hold All 3 Ink Cards—And Sometimes More Than One

You can hold all three Chase Ink business cards under the same business. And in some cases, people have been approved for more than one of the same Ink card if they have separate business efforts or income streams.

Of course, approvals depend on your credit profile and how much spending you do on each card, but the opportunity is there. These cards are designed to complement each other and create long-term value.

How to Fill Out a Chase Ink Application:

We’ve created a video walkthrough showing how to complete the Chase Ink application step by step if applying as a sole proprietor. You can also find the steps listed below. 

Business Section

Legal name: Your full name (if sole proprietor)

Business name on card: Same as above

                                                                        

Type of business: Sole Proprietor

Business address: Use your home address

Tax ID: Social Security number 

Revenue: Actual or projected income is fine

Years in business: Enter the number of years, or 0 if you’re just starting

Industry/category: Pick the one closest to what you do (e.g., Retail > Used Merchandise)

Personal Section

Just like a personal card application. Be honest, and include total gross income for your household if applicable.

If you're not instantly approved, don't panic. Chase may need to verify information, and you’ll hear from them directly.

Don’t Forget: Pool Your Points for More Value

Ultimate Rewards points from Chase Ink cards can be pooled with your personal Chase cards and with other members of your household. This helps you reach redemption goals even faster.

For example, combine points from your Ink cards with:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve®
• Your partner’s Ultimate Rewards-earning cards
• And even refer each other for extra points

The more connected your household is, the more efficient your rewards become.

Final Thoughts

Business credit cards are one of the best ways for families to expand their travel rewards strategy. The Chase Ink cards offer:

• High-value welcome bonuses
• Practical earning categories for real family spending
• A path to long-term, sustainable travel rewards
• A way to continue earning without adding to your 5/24 total

This isn’t about “gaming” the system—it’s about being intentional, strategic, and maximizing everyday spending to support your family’s travel goals.

If you’ve been curious about getting started, this could be the perfect next step.

We always appreciate it when you use our referral links. It is a small way to say thanks for the content that we share. And if you have questions about the application or your personal situation, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help. 

Happy travel! ✈️🌍

The Travel Savvy Family

- Wander More, Spend Less