{"id":235201,"date":"2025-11-14T20:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T20:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=235201\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:27:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:27:42","slug":"ink-bonus-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/chase-ultimate-rewards\/ink-bonus-restrictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Chase Adds New Restrictive Terms to the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited \u2014 Here\u2019s What to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chase has updated its language when applying for two no-annual-fee Ink Business cards<\/a> — the Ink Business Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) and Ink Business Unlimited\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>). And apparently, you have to be quite the detective to find it. This new language may restrict who can apply for these cards and how often.<\/p>\n

Let's dive into the new details.<\/p>\n

What Changed With No-Annual-Fee Ink Card Application Terms?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you apply for either the Ink Cash<\/a> or the Ink Unlimited<\/a> and click on the “Offer Details,” you\u2019ll see a lot of text surrounding each card\u2019s welcome bonus, rewards structure, and more. In the welcome bonus section in particular, you\u2019ll find the following language:<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On its own, this wording is pretty unassuming. However, Chase added new and far more restrictive language elsewhere on the application page. And you won\u2019t see it until you begin the application process.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the application page, there is a list of certifications you must agree to. Pay close attention to the last item in that list.<\/p>\n

\"Chase
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card application terms. Credit: Chase<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

To make it easier to read, here's the full text of point #11:<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This language appears for both the Ink Cash and the Ink Unlimited, which do not have annual fees. It sounds confusing and a bit ambiguous, so let\u2019s try to make sense of the wording.<\/p>\n

\"Image
Credit: Pickawood\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Related: How to Get a Business Credit Card in 3 Easy Steps<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What Does This Mean and Why Does It Matter?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before these changes to the application terms and conditions rolled out, Previous data points indicated that applicants could successfully get all three Ink Business cards and earn the cardmember bonus on each one. Indications were that you could even get multiple of the same Ink Business card again, making it a lucrative way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a> through the cardmember bonuses.<\/p>\n

Now, by the letter of the wording, it appears that Chase is cracking down. This language indicates that if you already have or have had any no-annual-fee Ink Business card, you could not earn the cardmember bonus on the other no-fee card. Likewise, it appears that you cannot earn the cardmember bonus again multiple times on the Ink Business Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Sorting that out, it sounds like one no-annual-fee card — the Ink Cash<\/a>\u00a0or Ink Unlimited<\/a>\u00a0— and the Ink Preferred<\/a> are the limitations for Ink cards you can have.<\/p>\n

However, notice the presence of the little word “may.” As Amex has recently done<\/a>, this non-definite word “may” means there could be some wiggle room in the application rules. The only way to confirm whether or not you can continue to get a cardmember bonus on Ink cards despite your previous Ink card holding is to try. But, this new language is certainly concerning for those hoping to continue to apply for more Ink Business cards.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n

Chase has made a subtle change to the wording on its Ink Business card applications. This change seems to imply that there will be tighter restrictions on who can apply and earn cardmember bonus offers of the suite of Ink cards. This will be something to monitor as more data points come in.<\/p>\n

Let us know in the comments if you are successful in getting more Ink cards despite the language to the contrary.<\/p>\n

\"Ink<\/div><\/div>
Ink Business Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card<\/div>
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.<\/div><\/div>
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>
Annual Fee<\/strong>

$0Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>

Credit Score<\/strong>

Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>