Top 10 Small Business Expenses Ideal for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited

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If you have your own business, applying for a business credit card is an excellent way to separate your business and personal expenses AND earn valuable rewards in the process.  While many cards come with bonus spending categories that align well with typical small business expenses, some purchases just don’t fall under this umbrella.

And that’s where the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card really comes in handy.

With the Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back (1.5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1) on ALL purchases.  There’s NO annual fee, no bonus categories to track, and no spending caps.  Super easy!  Plus, it’s currently offering a huge welcome bonus of $500 cash back (50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

You can apply for the Ink Business Unlimited here.

The Ink Business Unlimited Is the Secret to Earning the Most Points for Expenses That Don’t Fall Under a Bonus Category

I’ve made a list of 10 typical business expenses that are a perfect fit for the Ink Business Unlimited.  By paying these bills with the card, you can rack up tons of Chase Ultimate Rewards points in no time!

Use the Ink Business Unlimited for These Common Expenses

Apply Here:   Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Our Review:   Chase Introduces a New Business Card With a BIG Bonus!  Say Hello to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited!

The new Chase Ink Business Unlimited card comes with a $500 cash bonus (50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

With the card you’ll also get:

  • 1.5% cash back (1.5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1) on all purchases with no limit
  • NO annual fee!

This is an outstanding offer for a card with no annual fee.  And the points you earn are super valuable, because if you have other annual-fee Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, you can pool your points and transfer them to top travel partners like Hyatt and United Airlines.  Or use them to book airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities at an improved rate through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

Combine the Points You’ll Earn From the Ink Business Unlimited With an Annual-Fee Chase Card and Book Incredible Trips to Reward Yourself for All Your Hard Work

There are other business cards that earn more points in certain categories.  For example, the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card earns 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites, and search engines (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year).

Alternatively, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card earns 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 (5% cash back) on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year at office supply stores and internet, phone, and cable TV services.  You’ll also get 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points at restaurants and gas stations (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year) with no annual fee!

If your small business requires spending money in any of the above categories, you’ll definitely want to take a closer look at these and other top business credit cards.  But for expenses that don’t earn a bonus, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited is a terrific choice.

Here are just a few common business expenses that fall outside of usual business credit card spending categories.

1.   Supplies and Materials

This first category is broad for a reason:  Think of all the non-office supplies and materials you need to run your business.  Suppose you need to buy a vacuum for your cleaning business, new speakers for your DJ side-gig, or a massage table for your at-home day spa?

Run Your Own Cleaning Business? Earn 1.5X Rewards When You Purchase Equipment and Supplies With Your Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Using a premium business card, you’re likely to earn just 1 point per $1 spent on these essential supplies, but with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5X back on every purchase, no matter where you buy.

2.   Car and Truck Expenses

If your small business includes the operation of a car, truck, or van, you can use your Ink Business Unlimited to pay for things like maintenance, repairs, and car insurance.  That way you can earn more rewards for keeping your car in top shape for your ride-sharing side hustle or truck accessories to help your contracting business operate effectively.

And while the Ink Business Unlimited is great for spending on most vehicle expenses, reach for the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard® or the Chase Ink Business Cash when it comes to buying fuel, because gas stations are a bonus category on those cards.

3.   Business Insurance

The Ink Business Unlimited is also great for paying premiums on general or professional liability insurance.  Not every business requires an insurance policy.

If You Pay Insurance for Your Business, Even If You Work From Home, You Can Use Your Ink Business Unlimited

But let’s say you’re a freelance writer or blogger who works from home.  A portion of your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy qualifies as a business expense!

4.   Life-on-the-Road Expenses

If your business requires you to travel to meet clients, you’re likely to spend a lot of time on the road.  Of course, you should cover your travel expenses, like flights, rental cars, and hotels, with a card like the Chase Ink Business Preferred, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

But what about other purchases you’re likely to make on the road, like dry cleaning, parking fees, and entertainment?  The Ink Business Unlimited is ideal for those expenses!

5.   Child and Dependent Care

If you need to pay for daycare so that you can run your business, that counts as a business expense.  And because daycare costs can add up fast, you’ll want to make the most of your point earnings by paying for dependent care with a credit card (if possible).

Having Little Ones Around Can Be Tricky If You’re Trying to Get Work Done – So Pay for Daycare With Your Ink Business Unlimited!

6.   Education

Attending classes, webinars, conferences, or workshops can be a great way to add value to your business and increase your expertise.  With the exception of university tuition, most conferences and classes are payable with a credit card.

7.   Home Office

Any costs associated with setting up your at-home work space, like painting and remodeling, are considered business expenses.  Supplies and contractor fees don’t normally fall under a bonus category, so this is a perfect way to earn extra points with the Ink Business Unlimited.

You can also use the Ink Business Unlimited to cover utilities and furniture purchases associated with operating your business.

8.   Legal and Professional Fees

Use your Chase Ink Business Unlimited to pay for any services that are necessary and directly related to running your business.  These include payments to accountants, bookkeepers, tax preparation specialists, consultants, lawyers, and more.

Is your blog really taking off?  Sites like upwork.com and fiverr.com allow you to pay freelance content writers and graphic artists with a credit card.

9.   Gifts to Customers

Giving small gifts is a great way to show your appreciation for special clients and maintain solid business relationships.  Since there are currently no business credit cards that offer bonus rewards for spending on fruit baskets and monogrammed coasters, earning 1.5X with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited on these expenses is a no-brainer.

Earn the Most Rewards When You Buy Gifts for Customers With the Ink Business Unlimited

Don’t forget to make these purchases through an online shopping portal to double dip your rewards!

10.   Rent on Machinery and Equipment

Need to rent a backhoe for your landscaping company or a scissor lift for your exterior painting gig?  Fees paid to lease or rent equipment used in your business can really add up.

You can make the most of these necessary costs by charging them to your Ink Business Unlimited!

Bottom Line

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is ideal for small business-related expenses that do NOT fall under one of the common bonus categories offered by other top business cards.

That’s because you’ll earn 1.5% cash back (1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent) on every purchase with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited, with no annual fee!  Applying for this card is a great way to earn the most rewards on things like equipment, contractor fees, vehicle repairs, daycare, insurance, and more!

And it’s a great time to consider the Ink Business Unlimited, because it currently comes with a whopper $500 cash bonus (50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Keeping these expenses separate from your personal credit card use will also help you out when it’s time to do your taxes.  Just be sure to consult with a tax professional before claiming a tax deduction on the expenses listed above.

What are your favorite business expenses to pay for with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited?

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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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