Chase Tightens Welcome Bonus Rules for No-Fee Business Cards

Chase has recently implemented new restrictions on earning welcome bonuses for two of its popular no-annual-fee business credit cards, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. This change aligns with the issuer’s broader trend of tightening eligibility requirements across its card portfolio, which began earlier this year with the Sapphire family of cards.

Effective immediately, the new terms state that if you have ever held one of these cards or any other Chase for Business card without an annual fee, you will no longer be eligible to earn the welcome bonus on the new card. The specific clause added to the terms and conditions reads:

“The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you have ever had this card or any other Chase for Business card without an annual fee. We may also consider factors pertinent to your business in determining your bonus eligibility.”

This update introduces a “family rule” for Chase’s no-annual-fee business cards, making them more consistent with the recent restrictions seen in the Sapphire-branded cards. It also mirrors the card family limitations increasingly adopted by competitors like American Express.

While you can still apply for or switch to either Ink Business card without qualifying for the welcome bonus, the new restrictions may dampen the strategy many small businesses have employed in the past—opening both cards to maximize rewards. Both cards offer no annual fee and, when paired with a premium card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the cash-back rewards can be converted into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The inability to earn both welcome bonuses may make this strategy less attractive for new applicants.

Chase’s tightening of bonus eligibility has been a consistent trend this year, particularly evident in the restrictions placed on its Sapphire cards five months ago. With these recent Ink family changes, it seems Chase is determined to limit duplicate sign-ups and encourage applicants to focus on a single product within each card family. It’s likely that these changes could extend to other Chase card families in the future.

For those exploring the Chase Ink Business credit cards, it’s essential to stay informed about these evolving terms to make the most of your credit card strategy.

The Points Guy believes that credit cards can significantly enhance your financial life, allowing you to turn everyday spending into cash back or travel experiences that may otherwise be out of reach. That’s why we provide a range of editorial content and card comparisons to help you select the best card for your goals.

When you apply for and are approved for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which could influence how or where these products are presented. Although we do not cover every available credit card, our editorial team is dedicated to providing thorough analyses of these cards, and our content remains independent of influence or review by any credit card company, bank, or partner prior to or after publication. For further details, please review our advertising policy and product review methodology.