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Chase Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited

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Chase Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are both great small-business credit cards from Chase, with no annual fee and identical welcome offers.

Chase offers a trio of great credit cards for small businesses: the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.

Ink Cash vs Ink Unlimited

  • Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

  • Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

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$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

The similarity of their names alone can make it hard for consumers to understand which one might be best for their needs. One major point of difference is that while the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, the others have a $0 annual fee. 

As for the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (which earn cash back in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points), their benefits are quite similar. Determining the better option for you will depend on what categories your business purchases tend to be in, and how much you spend each year.

Currently, these two cards offer $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Bonuses like this are simply not found on $0-annual-fee cards. 

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Comparison of Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited

The Chase Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited have many similarities

Intro APR offer

Both cards currently come with a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.74% – 23.74% Variable). This is handy for small business owners who have a large upcoming purchase that they’d like to pay off incrementally without accruing interest.

You should never carry a balance month-to-month, as the fees are high enough to negate the rewards you’ll earn with your card. A card with a 0% intro APR offer is a workaround.

Welcome bonus

Each welcome bonus is identical, too: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. These are truly remarkable bonuses for no-annual-fee business credit cards.

Using Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Although the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are marketed as cash-back cards, they actually earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points which you can redeem for travel through the Chase travel portal, gift cards, or cash back at a rate of 1 cent apiece.

However, if you also hold an annual fee-incurring Chase card, namely the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or Ink Business Preferred, things get more interesting.

You can combine your points from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card or Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card with the points you earn on your other card and then either redeem them directly for travel at a rate of 1.25-1.5 cents per point (depending on the card), or transfer your points to airline and hotel partners such as Hyatt, Southwest, United Airlines, and more.

Insider’s points and miles valuations estimate that Chase points are worth 1.8 cents each, on average, when redeeming them this way. That means the current bonus on each of these cards could be worth $1,350, on average.

Purchase protection

Both cards offer purchase protection against theft or damage as long as 120 days post-purchase, and up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. Each extends the US manufacturer’s warranty on purchases by an additional year. Both also come with primary rental car insurance for rentals whose main purpose is business.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.55/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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The difference between Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited

The major way these two cards diverge is in their earning structures.

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card provides a simple return rate: 1.5% cash back (or 1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases with no caps.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a little more complicated — but potentially more rewarding. Cardholders can earn 5% back (or 5 points per dollar) on the first $25,000 (then 1 point per dollar) spent in combined purchases each anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services.

The card earns 2% back (or 2 points per dollar) on the first $25,000 (then 1 point per dollar) spent each anniversary year in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants. Finally, it earns 1% back (or 1 point per dollar) on everything else.

If your work-related purchases are primarily at office supply stores and on telecommunications with a mix of gas and dining, then the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card might be the right card for you — especially if you’re not hitting those $25,000 caps.

However, if your business purchases are a bit more diverse — perhaps travel is a bigger component of your expenditures, or you spend a lot more on dining and gas than $25,000, then the uncapped Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be better, even if it only earns 1.5 points per dollar.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.25/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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Which Chase Ink card is right for you?

To see which of these business cards will earn you the most rewards, let’s look at a few different scenarios.

Let’s say you either own or run a small business with an office for which you are responsible for making purchases, including a decent amount of entertaining. Your expenditures for the year might break down as follows:

  • Office supply and telecommunications: $20,000
  • Gas and dining: $10,000
  • Other: $10,000

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card would earn 5% back on the first set of expenses, 2% back on the second, and 1% back on the third for a total combined $1,300 cash back, or 130,000 points.

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card would earn a paltry $600 or 60,000 points by comparison.

Now let’s say your office is much bigger and your expenses are much higher, divvying up as follows:

  • Office supply and telecommunications: $50,000
  • Gas and dining: $30,000
  • Other: $50,000

The Ink Business Cash would earn $2,550 cash back or 255,000 points. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card would earn $1,950 back or 195,000 points. So the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card still comes out ahead because of the major spending in its specific bonus categories.

Let’s now look at a really high-spending scenario where someone is managing a large office or workforce that requires not only supplies but also other expenditures, say for leases or extensive payroll or employee training.

  • Office supplies: $50,000
  • Gas and dining: $20,000
  • Travel: $50,000
  • Rent, payroll, other: $500,000

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card would earn a combined $7,400 back, or 740,000 points. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card would earn $9,300 back, or 930,000 points.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is likely better for business owners or managers with small physical offices that require supplies, internet, and cable purchases, with some dining and gas expenses for things like sales calls.

However, for digital nomads, freelancers, and those whose work expenses are smaller and more varied — perhaps including categories like travel, subscriptions, or even membership at shared workspaces — the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card’s 1.5%-back earning structure might make more sense.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which Ink card is right for you:

What to know about the Chase Ink cards

The Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card are both solid no-annual-fee credit cards for small businesses with exceptionally high sign-up bonuses. The big difference between them is their earning rates. If you’re thinking about applying for one of these cards, that’s the detail you should be examining.

If you have a card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, you can get even more value from your spending by moving your points from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card or Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to one of these cards. That’ll allow you to transfer your rewards to Chase’s many travel partners.

The Chase Ink business cards all come with hefty welcome bonus offers, and the best one depends mostly on how you spend and travel

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The Chase Ink business cards all come with hefty welcome bonus offers, and the best one depends mostly on how you spend and travel

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

  • The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are offering $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
  • The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is offering 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
  • The right card for you depends mostly on your spending habits and whether or not you want to pay an annual fee.
  • Read Insider’s guide to the best small-business credit cards.

This just in: All three Chase Ink Business credit cards have eye-watering bonuses:

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card — $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card — $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening 

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

With all these huge bonuses available, you may be wondering which of these business credit cards would work better for your needs. It really depends on how you want to use the rewards you earn, where your business spends the most money, and whether or not you want to pay an annual fee.

Insider’s Featured Rewards Credit Cards

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Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.

60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening

20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Compare Chase Ink credit cards 

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.55/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.25/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card


Intro offer

100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card


Intro offer

100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.


Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.


Intro offer

100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.49% – 25.49% Variable

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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Who should consider the Chase Ink Business Cash?

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card stands out because it offers more rewards in popular business categories. Along with $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening you’ll earn:

  • 5% cash back (5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
  • 2% cash back (2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year 
  • 1% cash back (1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point per dollar) on all other purchases with no cap

If you spend a lot in the bonus categories, your rewards can add up quickly.

Another benefit of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is its introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.74% – 23.74% Variable APR). This is great for small business owners who have expenses they want to pay off over time. In terms of benefits, perks you’ll get with this card include primary rental car insurance when you rent a car for business purposes, purchase protection, extended warranty, travel and emergency assistance, and roadside dispatch.

Pros

Cons 

Who is the Ink Business Cash best for?

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is best suited to small-business owners who don’t want to pay an annual fee but want to earn more rewards at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and cell phone service purchases each year. If you don’t spend a lot on these categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is probably a better choice.

Who should consider the Chase Ink Business Unlimited?

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is another option to consider with no annual fee, although this card offers a flat rate of rewards for each dollar your business spends instead of bonus categories. Once you open the card, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back (1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on all eligible purchases charged to your card. The rewards you can earn are uncapped — but the card doesn’t offer bonus categories, either.

The card offers the same $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Further, the same 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months applies, followed by a 17.74% – 23.74% Variable APR.

If you’re someone who is eager to take advantage of cardholder benefits, you should also know that you’ll get the same suite of perks with this card — primary auto rental coverage when you rent a car for business purposes, travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protection, extended warranty, and roadside assistance.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High welcome bonus offer
  • Easy earning structure (no categories to track)
  • Introductory 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Cons

  • No bonus rewards categories to maximize
  • You can’t transfer your rewards to airline or hotel partners unless you combine your points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • Charges foreign transaction fees

Who is the Ink Business Unlimited best for?

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a good option for business owners who want to earn flat-rate rewards without an annual fee, especially if they spend a lot in many different categories.

Who should consider the Chase Ink Business Preferred?

If you’re intrigued about the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you should know that it offers more perks on the travel front. You can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn with the card to book travel through the Chase Travel Portal just like the other cards, but you’ll get 25% more value (1.25 cents per point) for your rewards if you have this card instead.

Also, when you have the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you’re able to transfer your points to airline and hotel partners like United Airlines, Air Canada, and Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

You can redeem the 100,000 points you’ll earn for:

  • $1,000 in cash back or statement credits
  • $1,250 in travel through the Chase portal
  • 100,000 Hyatt points (enough for potentially thousands of dollars in hotel stays)
  • 100,000 Southwest points (worth $1,400+ in free flights)
  • 100,000 Virgin Atlantic points (potentially enough for a round-trip business class flight to Europe on Delta)

This card also earns 3 points per dollar on up to $150,000 spent each year in popular business categories including travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone purchases, and advertising with select social media and search engines, after which you’ll earn 1 point per dollar.

In terms of cardholder benefits, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers excellent trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, primary rental car insurance, and much more. Just be aware that a $95 annual fee applies.

Pros

  • Get 25% more value for points when you redeem them for travel through the Chase portal
  • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners for award travel
  • Qualify for added benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance and cell phone insurance
  • Larger welcome bonus offer
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the US

Cons

  • Welcome bonus offer has a high spending requirement of $15,000 within three months 
  • Card also has cap on earning rate for bonus categories
  • There’s a $95 annual fee that’s not waived for the first year

Who is the Ink Business Preferred best for?

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a better option for anyone who travels, even infrequently. You won’t pay foreign transaction fees, and you’ll get more insurance protection for travel purchases.

You’ll also get 25% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase, and you open up tons of award travel possibilities when you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

What to know about the Ink cards

Chase Ink credit cards have never been more enticing. Between all three card bonuses, there are hundreds of thousands of Chase points to be earned. And you may well find that you’d like more than one type of Ink card. Each has varying earning rates that serve a specific part of your spending.

Just remember, these are small-business cards. That means you must have a business to qualify, but it doesn’t have to be a full-time venture or formal business like an LLC. If you dogsit on Rover, deliver food with Uber Eats, shop for Instacart, or are a freelance writer, you’re eligible to apply for these cards.

The ultimate guide to turning cash back into (exponentially more valuable) travel rewards

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The ultimate guide to turning cash back into (exponentially more valuable) travel rewards

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

Machu Picchu ruins

You can travel much farther with less effort by focusing on travel rewards instead of cash back.

Joseph Hostetler



  • Travel rewards can be worth significantly more than cash back.
  • It’s possible to turn cash back into travel rewards by holding the right travel credit cards.
  • If you earn cash back with cards issued by Capital One, Chase, or Citi, your rewards likely can be transferred to airlines and hotels.
  • Read Insider’s guide to the best travel rewards credit cards.

Cash has always been king. It’s got unparalleled flexibility, it’s got an easy-to-understand value, and many of the best credit cards make it easy to earn.

But the truth of the matter is that it’s nowhere near the most valuable credit card rewards currency to earn. Travel points can be worth many, many times more. If you desire to travel, you’ll want to focus your energy on travel rewards instead of cash back.

Here’s something surprisingly few credit card holders know: If you use a cash-back credit card issued by Capital One, Chase, or Citi, you may be able to convert the cash back you’ve earned into travel rewards. There’s a trick to this, but it’s very easy to do.

Insider’s Featured Rewards Credit Cards

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Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.

60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening

20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Why you might want travel rewards instead of cash back

Cash back is worth a flat rate. You’re never going to get an outsized value from a dollar bill — it’s worth what it’s worth.

Travel rewards are different. With little exception, the value you get from them can vary greatly depending on how you use them. As an example, let’s take a look at two Dallas Marriott hotels.

Two Marriott hotels in Dallas listed with cash rate and points rate.

Marriott



The Las Colinas Resort, Dallas, costs $676 per night, or 42,000 Marriott points. Staying at this hotel will net you a value of 1.6 cents per Marriott point.

But the hotel right beneath it, the W Dallas – Victory, sells for $453 per night or 43,000 points per night — giving you a value of 1.07 cents per point. That’s over 30% less value than had you used your points at The Las Colinas Resort.

The point is, it’s possible to get way more value from travel rewards than cash back. If you regularly convert your cash back into travel rewards, you are potentially receiving a higher earning rate on your cards. Insider’s points and miles valuations attempt to pinpoint a ballpark value for each rewards currency.

Let’s take a look at the different credit cards that allow you to convert your cash back into travel rewards — and the effective return rate you’re getting based on Insider’s points and miles valuations.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card


Intro offer

40,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

Capital One Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card


Intro offer

40,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.


Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.


Intro offer

40,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.24% – 29.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 18 months)

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Capital One miles value: 1.7 cents each

To turn cash back into Capital One miles, you’ll need one of the following cards:

Capital One offers a healthy selection of cash-back credit cards for all financial situations — and even the cards designed to help you build credit for the first time can help you accumulate Capital One miles. As long as you have one of the above cards, you can instantly convert your cash back into miles.

In your online account, simply head to the “Share My Rewards” button in the Rewards tab. You’ll receive 1 Capital One mile for every 1 cent you transfer.

Here’s a look at all the Capital One cash back-earning credit cards whose rewards you can turn into Capital One miles.

Chase Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card


Intro offer

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.

Chase Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card


Intro offer

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.


Intro offer

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.49% – 27.49% Variable

Editor’s Rating

4.4/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Chase Ultimate Rewards points value: 1.8 cents each

To turn “cash back” into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll need one of the following cards:

Chase boasts a large collection of cash-back credit cards — but these cards don’t technically earn cash back. They instead earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points which can be redeemed for cash back at a rate of 1 cent each. In other words, these cards are, in effect, cash back.

You can convert these rewards into points that can be transferred to airlines and hotel partners by heading to the Chase Ultimate Rewards site and signing in using your Chase account credentials. You’ll then be able to move your Chase points from one card to another, similar to the way you transfer money between a checking and savings account. Simply transfer your points to one of the above cards, and you’ll instantly be able to transfer them to travel programs.

Citi Citi Premier® Card


Intro offer

60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.

Citi Citi Premier® Card


Intro offer

60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.

Apply online at Citibank’s website.


Citi Premier® Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 3x ThankYou® points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, air travel, and hotel purchases. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.


Intro offer

60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.49% – 28.49% Variable

Editor’s Rating

4.1/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Citi ThankYou points value: 1.6 cents each

To turn cash back into Citi ThankYou points, you’ll need one of the following cards:

*This card only unlocks the ability to transfer points to JetBlue, Choice, and Wyndham.

Citi technically only has one cash-back credit card eligible to convert its rewards into Citi ThankYou points. It also issues a couple of other cards that earn Citi ThankYou points directly, though you cannot transfer them to airline and hotel partners unless you have one of the above cards. The best value you’ll get from them is cashing them out at 1 cent per point — making them essentially cash-back cards.

To make your points transfer eligible, you’ll have to move your points from one of the below cards to one of the above cards. Sign in to the Citi ThankYou portal to do this. The process is similar to that outlined above with Chase.

Here’s a look at the Citi credit cards whose rewards you can convert into transferable Citi ThankYou points.

What you need to know about converting cash back into travel rewards

Even if you don’t have a single travel point to your name, you may still have a large stash of cash back that can be converted into travel rewards. The above tables will tell you which cards you’ll need to unlock the true potential of your cash back.

The Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards of March 2023

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The Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards of March 2023

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

Many people feel that paying an annual fee for a credit card makes no sense. Why should you pay to spend money? That’s not to say that cards with annual fees are never worth it — for example, it’s possible to get over $2,000 in value in your first year with The Platinum Card® from American Express
, especially if you travel frequently and take advantage of its benefits.

But if you stay close to home — or if you aren’t willing to make an upfront investment to receive fancy benefits like annual statement credits, airport lounge access, or elite status — you can do quite well with a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. Plenty of cards without an annual fee offer strong rewards, too, so you’re not missing out on points and miles.

Here are our picks for the best no-annual-fee credit cards available right now.

The Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card


Intro offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card


Intro offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.


Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.


Intro offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

Pros & Cons
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Chase Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®


Intro offer

1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®


Intro offer

1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.


Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.49% – 28.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

Pros & Cons
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Chase Chase Freedom Flex℠


Intro offer

$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Chase Freedom Flex℠


Intro offer

$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Chase Freedom Flex℠

Details


Rewards

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.49% – 28.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

Pros & Cons
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Citi Citi® Double Cash Card


Intro offer

0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, then 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR


Rewards

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Citi Citi® Double Cash Card


Intro offer

0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, then 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR


Rewards

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Apply online at Citibank’s website.


Citi® Double Cash Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.


Intro offer

0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, then 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

18.49% – 28.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening

Editor’s Rating

3.65/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card


Intro offer

20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card


Intro offer

20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening


Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Details


Rewards

1x – 3x points

Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.

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Intro offer

20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening

Pros & Cons
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Citi Citi Custom Cash℠ Card


Intro offer

$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Citi Citi Custom Cash℠ Card


Intro offer

$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Apply online at Citibank’s website.


Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

18.49% – 28.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months

Editor’s Rating

4/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express


Intro offer

$200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 on purchases in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express


Intro offer

$200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 on purchases in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

On American Express’s website


Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Details


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 on purchases in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

18.49% – 29.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

Pros & Cons
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Discover Discover it® Cash Back


Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Discover Discover it® Cash Back


Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.


Discover it® Cash Back

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.


Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

Show more


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

16.49% – 27.49% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Editor’s Rating

3.8/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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Capital One Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card


Intro offer

One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

Capital One Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card


Intro offer

One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases


Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases


Intro offer

One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.24% – 29.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)

Pros & Cons
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Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.55/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Pros & Cons
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American Express Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express


Intro offer

10,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.


Rewards

Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.

American Express Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express


Intro offer

10,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.


Rewards

Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.


Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express

Details


Rewards

Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.


Intro offer

10,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

12.99% – 23.99% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening

Pros & Cons
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Citi American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®


Intro offer

10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®


Intro offer

10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening


Rewards

Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.


American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Details


Rewards

Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.


Intro offer

10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening


Recommended Credit

Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.49% – 29.49% Variable

Pros & Cons
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Chase United Gateway℠ Card


Intro offer

20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Chase United Gateway℠ Card


Intro offer

20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.


United Gateway℠ Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.


Intro offer

20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.99% – 27.99% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months

Pros & Cons
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American Express Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card


Intro offer

10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.

American Express Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card


Intro offer

10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.

On American Express’s website


Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

If you want a credit card that earns Delta miles for your everyday spending but absolutely don’t want to pay an annual fee, this card is worth considering. While it doesn’t offer travel perks like a free checked bag or priority boarding, cardholders do get 20% back as a statement credit on Delta inflight purchases and access to Delta’s Pay With Miles feature. For most Delta flyers, however, a Delta card with an annual fee and more benefits will prove more valuable.

Details


Rewards

Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.


Intro offer

10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

20.24% – 29.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

N/A

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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The 14 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards of March 2023

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for high cash rewards rate
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best if you have a Chase Sapphire card
  • Chase Freedom Flex℠
    : Best for earning among the highest cash back — if you work for it
  • Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for high cash-back rate with long intro APR
  • Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for 3x earning in great everyday categories
  • Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best if your spending changes month to month
  • Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for shopping at U.S. supermarkets
  • Discover it® Cash Back: Best for getting your first year of cash back matched
  • Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for earning 1.5% cash back everywhere
  • Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for small business
  • Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
    : Best for earning Amex points
  • American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
    : Best for American Airlines loyalists
  • United Gateway℠ Card: Best for United Airlines loyalists
  • Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for Delta Airlines loyalists

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Methodology: How We Chose the Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards

We reviewed dozens of no-annual-fee credit cards across all categories — cash back, travel, airline, hotel, and more — and narrowed our focus to cards that offer more than 1 point or mile per dollar on at least one category of purchase. We also looked at welcome bonuses, rewards caps (such as the $1,500 quarterly limit on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Discover it® Cash Back), and other fine print.

See the full breakdown of how we rate credit cards »

Find the right no-annual-fee credit card for you

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High cash back rate with long intro APR

0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, then 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Best if you have a Chase Sapphire card

1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)

Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Earns among the highest cash back, if you work for it

$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Best if your spending changes month to month

$200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Get your first year of cash back matched

Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Earn 1.5% cash back everywhere

One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

Best for small businesses

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Best for United loyalists

20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.


Apply now


Apply online at Citibank’s website.


Apply now


Apply online at Citibank’s website.

No-Annual-Fee Credit Card FAQs

Many of the top rewards credit cards have annual fees — ranging from $95 to $695 — and it can be worth paying for one if you’ll use all of its benefits.

In many cases, cards with annual fees have perks that are tied to travel, and if you rarely hit the road, these may not be the perfect fit. Always do an honest assessment of a card’s perks and see how they match up with your lifestyle before applying for a credit card.

A majority of no-annual-fee cards require at least good credit to qualify (FICO score of at least 670). That said, there are a select few no-annual-fee cards — including starter and secured cards — available to folks with limited or bad credit.

Some no-annual-fee credit cards worth considering are the Discover it® Student Cash Back and the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. Otherwise, you can apply for secured cards, which usually don’t charge an annual fee, but require a security deposit. 

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for High Cash Rewards Rate

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

If you want to earn the highest cash rewards possible on every purchase without having to keep track of bonus categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a winner. Cardholders earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no limits, and there’s a solid welcome bonus offer too: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

New cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR), which is handy if you’ve got upcoming expenses you can’t pay off in full right away.

The card also comes with a decent array of perks, like cell phone protection, travel emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch, and Visa Signature Concierge access. If you’re traveling abroad, it’s best to leave the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card at home, because it adds foreign transaction fees. 

Wells Fargo Active Cash card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card if You Have a Chase Sapphire Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another top pick for a no-annual-fee card — especially if there’s a chance that you’ll want to earn more valuable credit card rewards with a premium credit card later on.

That’s because while Chase markets the card as “cash back,” it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that you can redeem for cash, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Travel Portal at a rate of 1 cent per point. 

If you decide that you want to maximize the value of those points by purchasing travel with a bonus through Chase, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners, you can open a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and pool your points from the two cards.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% cash back on dining and at drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases (or 1.5 points per dollar spent). Paired with a Sapphire Reserve, it’s a great card to use for purchases that aren’t made on travel expenses or dining.

The Freedom Unlimited is a fantastic all-around card. However, to get the most value when it’s time to spend your points, you need the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred card, too, so you can pool your points. Otherwise, points are only worth 1 cent each no matter how you use them, and they can’t be transferred to airline or hotel partners.

Chase Freedom Unlimited review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Earning Among the Highest Cash Back — If You Work for It

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ works virtually the same way as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, earning cash back in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can either combine with another card, or redeem for cash or merchandise. 

The key difference is how it earns those rewards. Unlike the Chase Freedom Unlimited® — which earns 1.5% cash back (or 1.5 points per dollar spent) on most purchases, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 5% (or 5x) in rotating categories each quarter (once activated) on up to $1,500 spent in that category. From January 1 to March 31, 2023, these categories are grocery stores (excluding Walmart), Target, and fitness/gym club memberships. And from April 1 to June 30, 2023, the categories are Amazon and Lowe’s.

You’ll also earn 5% cash back on travel purchases made through Chase, 5% on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1% back on everything else.

Chase Freedom Flex credit card review 

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for High Cash-Back Rate with Long Intro APR

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi® Double Cash Card effectively earns 2% cash back — 1 point per dollar when you make a purchase, and 1 point per dollar when you pay it off. If you’re focused on earning credit card rewards, you should be paying your balance off in full each month, so in that case, you can consider this a 2% cash back card.

This is one of the best 2% cash-back cards and best cash-back cards in general, and it’s simple to use because there are no bonus rewards categories to remember. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months from date of first transfer for balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, followed by a 18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR. That’s a good deal if you’re looking to consolidate debt to save on interest.

The Citi® Double Cash Card is also an excellent starter card if you’re new to credit card rewards. You can’t go wrong with redeeming Double Cash rewards for cash back, but if you later want to delve into travel or other redemptions, you have other options for using Citi ThankYou points.

The Double Cash card now earns Citi ThankYou points instead of cash back directly. But you can still redeem your points for cash back (as well as travel, gift cards, and more) and get the same rate of return.

Citi Double Cash card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for 3x Earning in Great Everyday Categories

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, is a great choice if you want to earn a high rate of rewards in a variety of everyday categories without paying an annual fee. You can earn 3x points on travel, dining, gas stations, popular streaming services, transit, and phone plans, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases with no limits.

The card comes with a decent welcome bonus offer, too: 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. That’s worth $200 when redeemed as cash. New cardholders can also save money on interest with a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, followed by a 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable.

Wells Fargo Autograph credit card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card if Your Spending Changes Month to Month

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

The  Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice if your spending habits tend to change from month to month. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.

The qualifying categories include everyday expenses that should appeal to most folks: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.

Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns rewards in the form of Citi ThankYou points, which are worth 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel booked through Citi, gift cards, merchandise, and more. And if you have the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card
(no longer available to new applicants), you can pool your rewards and transfer points to airline and hotel partners, including Citi’s newest partners, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards.

Citi Custom Cash card review

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Recently, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express updated its earning rates to include U.S. online retail purchases, making it one of the best cards for online shopping. Plus, you can now earn 3% cash back at US gas stations (was 2% back) up to spending limits.

It’s currently offering a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.

Cardholders earn: 

  • 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 each calendar year (then 1% back)
  • 3% back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 each calendar year in purchases (then 1% back)
  • 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 each calendar year (then 1% back)
  • 1% cash back on everything else

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars which can later be redeemed as statement credits.

Keep in mind that your cash back rewards are capped at $6,000 per category each year (then 1% back). So if easily spend more than the $6,000 cap in the bonus categories, you might want to consider a different cash-back rewards card with a higher limit. 

There’s also a “Preferred” version of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns a bigger 6% back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (and 1% after), 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit including taxis, rideshares, parking, and tolls, and 1% cash back on everything else (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits).

The higher-earning rate on the Preferred makes it worth paying the annual fee — however, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is still a great option if you’re opposed to that.

Blue Cash Everyday Amex card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Getting Your First Year of Cash Back Matched

Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back works similarly to the Chase Freedom Flex℠: It offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in rotating bonus categories (then 1% back) and 1% cash back on everything else (from January 1 to March 31, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, drug stores and select streaming services on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

It doesn’t offer the same bonus categories as the Chase Freedom Flex℠, though, although sometimes they overlap. 

The Discover it® Cash Back is compelling for one other reason: Discover will match all your cash back at the end of your first cardmember year. So if you earned $500 in cash back in your first year, Discover would match that $500 for a total of $1,000 in cash back. This awesome feature is available on all Discover credit cards — and all Discover cards have no annual fee.

Discover it Cash Back card review 

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Earning 1.5% Cash Back Everywhere

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase you make. In this regard, it’s most similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

There are also no foreign transaction fees, and the card has a solid welcome offer: One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening.

You can even use your cash back earned with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card to pay for purchases on Amazon or eligible PayPal purchases. You can also redeem it as a statement credit, check, automatic redemption, or gift cards. 

You’ll also get a solid 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then a 19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR).

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (along with the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card) currently offers cardholders six months of Uber One monthly membership (through November 14, 2024). 

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review 

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Small Business

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is another solid Chase entry, although this one is a business credit card — anyone with just about any kind of small business can qualify, whether you have a brick-and-mortar space with employees, or you’re a freelancer, or even someone with a small side gig.

New cardholders of both the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card can earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Just like with the Chase Freedom cards, you can pool the “cash” you earn with points from a Chase travel card, effectively converting your cash into (potentially) more valuable points. Alternatively, you can reap the rewards in the form of cash instead.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card earns 5% cash back (or 5x points) on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each cardholder year. It earns 5% back (or 5x points) on Lyft rides through March 2025, 2% back (or 2x points) on the first $25,000 in purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year, and 1% (or 1x points) on everything else with no cap.

Chase Ink Business Cash credit card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Earning Amex Points

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express

American Express Membership Rewards is Amex’s in-house rewards program, and the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is the best no-fee card that earns them. You can redeem Amex points for travel, merchandise, statement credits, gift cards, and more. However, the best option is to transfer them to an Amex airline or hotel partner.

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express earns 2x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 of purchases per year, then 1x after that) and at Amex Travel, and 1x on everything else. It also offers a 20% bonus on points earned in a billing period when you make 20 or more purchases during that period.

Like most Amex cards, the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express features a few travel and purchase protections, as well as access to the Amex Offers program.

While most people will be better off with a version of the card that has an annual fee, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
, the regular Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is still a strong option — especially since there’s no annual fee.

Amex EveryDay credit card review

Best for Delta, American, and United Airline Loyalists: No-Annual-Fee Airline Cards

Most airline credit cards that are worth having come with an annual fee — although many of them will waive it for the first year. Those cards tend to come with useful benefits for people who fly with the airline, like priority boarding or free checked bags. You can learn more in our guide to the best airline credit cards.

However, if you’re interested in earning frequent flyer miles with a particular airline through your spending, but don’t care about those perks and want to avoid the fee, you have a couple of options. 

If you’re a Delta flyer, you can go for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card which offers 2 Delta SkyMiles on every eligible dollar spent with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. It also gets you a 20% discount — in the form of a statement credit — on Delta inflight purchases like food or drinks.

American loyalists can consider the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®. This card offers 2x AAdvantage miles on every dollar spent at grocery stores and with American Airlines, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. 

United’s United Gateway℠ Card, with an annual fee of $0, earns 2x miles on United purchases, gas, public transit, rideshare services, and taxis, and 1x miles on everything else.

Other No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards We Considered

There are many other no-annual-fee credit cards that don’t appear on this list. Here’s an overview of the cards we considered that didn’t make the final cut.

18 countries sent sharpshooters to a US military base in Germany to see who has the best sniper team in Europe

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18 countries sent sharpshooters to a US military base in Germany to see who has the best sniper team in Europe
  • European snipers gathered on a US base in Germany in August for an international competition.
  • The 2022 version of the European Best Sniper Team Competition was one of the largest ever.
  • It took place as Russia’s attack on Ukraine highlights the continued value of sniper operations.

Every year, the best snipers from around Europe show up in a US military base in Germany to determine who has the best sniper team on the continent.

Last year, the European Best Sniper Team Competition, hosted by the US Army, had one of its largest events ever against the backdrop of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which has shown that sniper operations are as important as ever.

The European Best Sniper Team Competition

European Best Sniper Competition

Estonian troops in a replica of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during the European Best Sniper Team Competition on August 6.

US Army/Staff Sgt. Dana Clarke



In total, 36 teams from 18 NATO allies and partner countries put their marksmanship skills to the test during 11 days of events. Several of the teams came from special-operations units.

The organizers tailored the competition to be practical and packed it with challenges inspired by real-world battles. The event took place at Hohenfels Training Area in Germany, where the US Army’s 7th Army Training Command oversees US and international exercises.

The teams completed events that included aerial shooting, moving targets, high-angle targets, unknown-distance targets, and trench warfare. The sniper teams were also tested on targeting, stalking, small-arms marksmanship, and nighttime operations.

European Best Sniper Competition

An Italian sniper team in a replica of a downed helicopter during the European Best Sniper Team Competition on August 6.

US Army/Spc. Leonard Beckett



One event was based on the “Black Hawk Down” battle that took place in Mogadishu in 1993.

During the battle, US Army Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. First Class Randy Shughart, both snipers assigned to Delta Force, requested to be inserted to defend a crashed Black Hawk helicopter. Facing overwhelming odds, Gordon and Shughart were both killed and eventually received posthumous Medals of Honor.

The “Mogadishu” event tested the competitors aerial shooting abilities, according to Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Stegmeier, who was match director for the competition.

“Historically it’s the ‘Black Hawk Down’ scenario,” Stegmeier said in a press release. “Shooters will shoot from a static and a strafing position in the aircraft, and then they’ll have to go to a downed pilot position, return fire to the enemy, and then bring the pilot back to a safe location.”

European Best Sniper Competition

Competitors in the “Mogadishu” section of the 2022 European Best Sniper Competition on August 8.

US Army/Spc. Christian Carrillo



There was also an interesting first in the competition: a joint American-Lithuanian sniper team, the product of partnership between the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Lithuanian military.

The team had one US soldier and one Lithuanian. The US team member, US Army Sgt. Dalton Weist, used his Lithuanian counterpart’s weapon. “Once you get to this level, the one thing that is universal is weapons,” Weist said in a release.

This isn’t the only international sniper competition. The US special-operations community holds a similar event every year for special-operations units from around the world.

The winners

European Best Sniper Competition

Competitors in the “1917” event during the European Best Sniper Team Competition on August 6.

US Army/Spc. Micah Wilson



Snipers from Greece’s Special Paratroopers Section, known as the ETA for its Greek initials, came in first. Teams from Latvia and Italy were second and third, while another Greek special-operations team from the Z’MAK amphibious special missions unit was fourth. A Slovenian team rounded out the top five.

Modeled on Britain’s SAS, the ETA specializes in strategic reconnaissance and direct-action missions. It has less than 100 operators who are divided into six teams, each of which specializes in a different insertion method, such as free-fall parachuting, combat diving, and mountain warfare.

The ETA also recently received the highest operational certification from NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters.

European Best Sniper Competition

Competitors in the “Mogadishu” section of the 2022 European Best Sniper Competition on August 8.

US Army/Spc. Christian Carrillo



International training events and competitions like the European Best Sniper Team Competition are important for relationship-building among allies and partner militaries.

They also increase interoperability. In a conflict, NATO militaries would be expected to fight largely as one force. Having the same tactics, techniques, and procedures can maximize their effectiveness on the battlefield.

“These multinational competitions are about building relationships and sharing skills between the participants,” Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, US Army Europe and Africa’s senior enlisted leader, said in a release. “All of these elite warriors will leave with more technical and tactical proficiency, as well as a heightened sense of partnership and interoperability.”

Snipers and modern warfare

European Best Sniper Competition

A Finnish Army sniper team at the European Best Sniper Team Competition on August 7.

US Army/Staff Sgt. Dana Clarke



The war in Ukraine has shown once more why snipers are an important asset for any military.

Most of the fighting in Ukraine has taken place in or around urban centers, ranging from small villages like Vuhledar to large cities like Kharkiv.

Indeed, snipers can even have a strategic impact in a war if they take out a senior enemy officer or gather intelligence that informs high-level decision making.

In the era of drones and precision-guided missiles, snipers continue to play an important role on the battlefield, and events like the European Best Sniper Team Competition create better shooters.

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. He is working toward a master’s degree in strategy and cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.

The Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards of March 2023

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The Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards of March 2023

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

You can earn huge rewards when you use a cash back business credit card for your monthly business expenses. There are tons of cash back small business credit cards on the market, but not all of them offer generous welcome bonuses, terrific perks, or flexible redemption options.

You don’t need to be a large corporation to qualify for a small business credit card; small-business owners and folks working side gigs (such as Lyft drivers, childcare providers, Instacart shoppers, freelancers, and tutors) are eligible. 

These are eight of the current best cash back business credit cards.

Compare the Best Cash-Back Business Credit Cards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.55/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons
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Highlights
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Additional Reading
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Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.


Intro offer

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 23.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months

Editor’s Rating

4.25/5

Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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Capital One Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Capital One Spark Cash Plus


Intro offer

$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.

Capital One Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Capital One Spark Cash Plus


Intro offer

$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.


Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.


Intro offer

$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening


Recommended Credit

Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

N/A

Pros & Cons
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Bank of America Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card


Intro offer

$300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas stations is the default category) and 2% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 spent in both categories combined each calendar year. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bank of America Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card


Intro offer

$300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas stations is the default category) and 2% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 spent in both categories combined each calendar year. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

On Bank of America’s website


Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Details


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas stations is the default category) and 2% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 spent in both categories combined each calendar year. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening


Recommended Credit

Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

16.74% – 26.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles

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American Express American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card


Intro offer

$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months


Rewards

Earn 2% cash back on everyday eligible business purchases (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

American Express American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card


Intro offer

$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months


Rewards

Earn 2% cash back on everyday eligible business purchases (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

On American Express’s website


American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Details


Rewards

Earn 2% cash back on everyday eligible business purchases (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Intro offer

$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months


Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.74% – 25.74% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening

Pros & Cons
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U.S. Bank U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®


Intro offer

$500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.

U.S. Bank U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®


Intro offer

$500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.


U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

If you’re a small-business owner looking for a no-annual-fee card that earns bonus cash back in popular categories, this card is worth considering. It’s got a very generous welcome bonus and 0% intro APR offer, and comes with helpful World Elite Mastercard benefits. However, if your business doesn’t spend much in the card’s bonus categories, a flat-rate cash back business card might make more sense.

Details


Rewards

Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.


Intro offer

$500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account


Recommended Credit

Excellent/Good


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

18.24% – 27.24% Variable


Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles

Pros & Cons
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Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit


Intro offer

$500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.

Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit


Intro offer

$500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.


Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Details


Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.


Intro offer

$500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening


Recommended Credit

Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.49% – 23.49% Variable

Pros & Cons
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Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi


Rewards

Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year (then 1% thereafter). Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi


Rewards

Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year (then 1% thereafter). Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Apply with Citibank’s application


Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Details


Rewards

Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year (then 1% thereafter). Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.


Recommended Credit

Excellent


Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

19.74% (Variable)

Editor’s Rating

3/5

Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.

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Cash Back Business Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you’re considering a cash-back business card, view your business’s recent expenses and choose a cash-back card that has bonus categories to match your spending. If your typical expenses don’t fall into these categories, a card that earns a flat rate of cash back across all purchases is probably a better choice.

Similarly, if there are specific perks and benefits (like employee card benefits, no foreign transaction fees, or travel and purchase protection) that you’re looking for, try to find a card that has all the desired attributes. 

Credit card rewards are usually considered rebates on purchases and not income. Therefore, cash back earned on a business card is generally not taxable. However, you should always consult with a tax professional about your personal tax situation.

An employee identification number (EIN) is an identification number issued by the IRS to businesses. You can use your EIN and your Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for a business card. Sole proprietors (such as those selling online, freelancing, or other side gigs) can apply for a business credit card with just their SSN — no EIN necessary. 

Even if you apply with an EIN, the card issuer will still ask for your SSN to check your personal credit history and factor that into their decision to approve you. If you have a low credit score, you may not qualify for the best small-business credit cards, but you might still be eligible for business cards geared toward those with limited or fair credit, such as the Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business
. And if you have bad credit, you may be eligible for a secured credit card, which can also help you boost your credit score with responsible use.

Technically you can use your business card for personal purchases, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

Keeping business and personal expenses separate makes things easier at tax time, for starters, so making personal purchases on your business credit card can make things more difficult to track. Some credit card issuers also take a dim view of making personal purchases on a business credit card, so it’s best to avoid the practice.

The best cash back business cards

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Best for earning up to 5% back in business categories

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Best Chase card with unlimited flat-rate cash back

$750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.

$500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account

Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.

The Best Cash-Back Business Cards of 2023

Best Cash-Back Business Card for Earning up to 5% Back

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Why the Ink Business Cash card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® credit card earns bonus rewards on popular spending categories with flexible redemption options.

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

The Ink Business Cash® credit card is marketed as a cash-back card, but it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Cardholders earn:

  • 5% cash back (5 points per dollar per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
  • 2% cash back (2 points per dollar per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
  • 1% cash back (1x point per dollar) on all other purchases with no cap

The large Ink Business Cash® credit card welcome bonus offer and terrific cash back rewards make it a great choice for your monthly business expenses. Keep in mind your 5x and 2x bonus points are capped after the first $25,000 spent per year in each bonus category, after which you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar. So if your business expenses easily exceed the $25,000 cap, you might want to consider a different cash-back business credit card. 

You can redeem your points for cash directly or as a statement credit, gift card, travel purchases booked through Chase (like airline tickets, hotel accommodations, car rentals, activities, and cruises), and other products and services from third-party merchants.

The Ink Business Cash® credit card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.74% – 23.74% Variable APR). If you plan on spending a large chunk of cash on supplies/technology/equipment, the intro APR offer could help you pay off large expenses over time without incurring high-interest charges.  

Ink Business Cash® credit card cardholders also receive decent purchase and travel protection benefits, such as auto rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. Plus, employee cards are free and can be tracked with bookkeeping software and account management tools.

Chase Ink Business Cash credit card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card from Chase with Unlimited Flat-Rate Cash Back

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Why the Ink Business Unlimited card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns unlimited cash back on all purchases (no cap). It comes with a welcome bonus and has a generous 0% intro APR offer on purchases (but not balance transfers). 

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

Like the Ink Business Cash® credit card, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The card earns 1.5% cash back (1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases.

There’s a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.74% – 23.74% Variable APR).

Just like the Ink Business Cash® credit card, you can redeem your points for cash, statement credits, gift cards, travel booked through Chase, and for other products and services from third-party merchants. Your points won’t expire as long as the account is open, employee cards are free, and you’ll get access to tools that can help your small business.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card cardholders also receive benefits like fraud protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection, travel and emergency assistance services, and purchase protection. However, there is a foreign transaction fee which means it’s not an ideal credit card for travel overseas. 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card for Big Spenders

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Why the Spark Cash Plus is worth it: The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a great credit card for businesses that need the flexibility of no preset spending limit, for a moderate annual fee. Plus, big spenders can earn an additional yearly bonus. 

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening

You can earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards on every purchase, with no categories to keep track of, and no preset spending limit (spending limit is determined by spending behavior, payment history, credit profile, and other factors) with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. The card also earns 5% cash back rewards on hotels and rental cars when you use Capital One Travel for your bookings. In addition, you can earn a $200 bonus every year you spend $200,000.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus has no regular APR because you pay the full balance each month (if you don’t, you’ll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee). 

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus allows managers to access accounts from multiple devices, track and monitor employee purchases, lock and unlock employee cards, and receive alerts on flagged purchases. Also, employees earn rewards when they use their cards. 

Rewards are redeemable as statement credits, checks, or gift cards. Further, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus has great benefits like no foreign transaction fees, free employee cards, travel and purchase protection, and payment flexibility.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card for Choosing Your Own Bonus Categories

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Why the Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit card is worth it: The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is ideal for folks looking for customizable rewards (especially if you’re already a Bank of America Preferred Rewards Member). And it earns a generous welcome bonus, plus a handful of solid perks.

Welcome bonus offer: Earn a $300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is unique in that it allows you to choose a 3% cash back bonus category from a list of popular business expenses (gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services). Cardholders also earn 2% cash back on dining and 1% back on all other purchases. (3% and 2% cash-back categories are capped at $50,000 per year in spending combined; after that, you’ll earn 1% back).

The good thing about this card is you can change your 3% category once each calendar month, so it’s ideal for businesses with variable expenses. For instance, one month you might have big travel expenses for your business, but the next you might spend a lot upgrading computer equipment — by switching your 3% category to fit your purchases, you can maximize the cash back you earn.

The welcome bonus offer is quite generous for a no-annual-fee card, and you’ll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles (then a 16.74% – 26.74% Variable APR). 

Your rewards won’t expire as long as your account is active. You can redeem your cash rewards as statement credits, as a direct deposit, or for credit to a qualifying Merrill account. Plus, if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you can earn up to 75% more rewards (depending on how much you have on deposit/invested with Bank of America or Merrill).

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card comes with additional benefits like cash flow management tools, travel accident insurance, and car rental insurance. The card does have foreign transaction fees, so it’s not a good pick for international purchases.

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card for up to 2% Cash Back on All Purchases

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Why the Blue Business Cash card is worth it: The American Express Blue Business Cash Card earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year (then 1% back). It comes with a decent welcome bonus, a good intro APR offer, and a selection of travel and shopping benefits. 

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months

You earn 2% cash back on all purchases (up to $50,000) each year – you’ll earn 1% cash back then after – with the American Express Blue Business Cash Card for no annual fee. That’s why this card ranks highly on our list of the best 2% cash back credit cards.

Along with the welcome bonus offer, you can receive 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then a 17.74% – 25.74% Variable APR). This makes it a great option for businesses looking to pay off larger purchases over multiple billing cycles.  

Your cash back rewards will be automatically credited to your statement. So if you don’t want to redeem your rewards as statement credits, this card isn’t a good fit. Also, if you plan on spending well over $50,000 annually, you should consider a different cash-back business credit card without a spending cap.

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card includes benefits like car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and access to Amex Offers**. Employee cards can be set up with spending limits (you can do so online or by calling American Express), as well as alerts and management through the American Express App. 

Amex Blue Business Cash card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card with a 0% Intro APR Offer

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Why the US Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards card is worth it: The $0 annual fee U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Card earns unlimited cash back on gas, office supply stores, travel, and cell phone service providers (no cap). Folks also receive a terrific intro APR offer, annual software credit, and solid rewards and perks (including World Elite Mastercard benefits). 

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account

You’ll earn 3% cash back at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants (1% cash back on all other eligible purchases). You’ll also earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals when you use the Rewards Center for your bookings.

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Card is ideal for businesses that spend big in these bonus categories, and those who would benefit from the decent intro APR offer. You’ll also earn a $100 software credit every year towards subscriptions like FreshBooks or Quickbooks.

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Card offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (then a 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR). 

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Card does charge foreign transaction fees, which doesn’t make it ideal for travel overseas. The card also has a high spending requirement before you can unlock the bonus. It’s also important to keep in mind that purchases made by authorized users don’t count towards the minimum spending requirement.

You can redeem rewards as a statement credit or a direct deposit (the minimum to redeem is $25). You can also redeem rewards with Real-Time Rewards which you can then use to cover eligible purchases charged to your card. 

US Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards card review

Best Cash-Back Business Card from Capital One with Unlimited Flat-Rate Cash Back

Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Why the Spark 1.5% Cash Select card is worth it: The $0 annual fee Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit earns folks unlimited cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions. Plus, you’ll earn additional cash rewards on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It’s ideal for business owners with excellent credit looking for a straightforward card with generous cash-back rewards.

Welcome bonus offer: Earn $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

You’ll earn 1.5% unlimited cash-back rewards on all purchases with the Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel. You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, or as either a check or cash. 

The 5% cash back is a decent deal if you already use Capital One Travel for your bookings. Plus, if you’ve got a Capital One miles-earning card, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can convert the cash back you earn into Capital One miles at a rate of 1 mile per cent. You can then potentially receive outsized value for your rewards by transferring them to Capital One travel partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines, Wyndham, and more.

The Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit has no intro APR offer, just a regular APR rate of 17.49% – 23.49% Variable. So it’s not ideal for folks trying to pay down credit card debt or large purchases over multiple billing cycles. 

The Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit gets you roadside assistance, purchase records, $0 fraud liability, extended warranty, and payment flexibility. It doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a good card for intentional travel. Employee cards are free and you can track employee spending and set spending limits, as well as earn rewards on their purchases. You can also lock a misplaced, lost, or stolen card from your Capital One account.

Capital One Spark Cash Select review

Best Cash-Back Business Card for Road Warriors

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Why the Costco Anywhere Visa Business credit card is worth it: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi earns strong rewards rates on gas, EV charging, Costco purchases, travel, and restaurants. This is a great no-annual-fee card for small business owners who spend a lot in these categories, especially gas.

Welcome bonus offer: N/A

If you often spend on travel, gas, EV charging, and at restaurants, you could earn big with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi. Here’s what you’ll earn: 

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging worldwide up to $7,000 annually (1% thereafter)
  • 3% unlimited cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases around the globe
  • 2% unlimited cash back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases
  • 1% on all other purchases

You’ll receive your earned cash back (otherwise known as Costco Cash Rewards) as an annual credit card reward certificate (after your February billing statement closes). You can then redeem your certificate for cash or merchandise at any US Costco warehouse — this could be potentially tricky for folks who don’t live near a physical Costco location — and you can’t redeem rewards as statement credits or travel. 

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi has a 19.74% (Variable) APR. 

Unfortunately, there is no public welcome offer on this card. But you can apply in person at a Costco warehouse and inquire as to whether there’s any special promotion you’re targeted for. Some members will receive a welcome bonus of sorts.

If your business is looking to benefit from a bonus, or you need a low APR on purchases or balance transfers, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi isn’t a good fit. Similarly, if your business doesn’t spend big at Costco, or if you want simpler and more flexible redemption options, you should consider a different cash-back business credit card. 

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi cardholders get perks such as extended warranty protection, damage and theft protection, Citi Entertainment, Citi Concierge, and Citi Mobile app. 

Costco Anywhere Visa Business card by Citi review

The average TikTok user in the US is an adult ‘well past college age,’ CEO says

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The average TikTok user in the US is an adult 'well past college age,' CEO says
  • TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said the average TikTok user in the US is “an adult well past college age.”
  • He mentioned the demographic info in his prepared remarks for his testimony Thursday before Congress.
  • Over 60% of Gen Z adults use TikTok daily, a 2023 report from Morning Consult found.

TikTok’s average US user might be older than you’d guess.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew revealed this week that the app’s average user in the US is “an adult well past college.” 

Chew made the comment in his prepared written testimony published ahead of a planned appearance before US lawmakers as part of a Congressional hearing about security concerns with the app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

“Although some people may still think of TikTok as a dancing app for teenagers, the reality is that our platform and our community have become so much more for so many,” Chew said in the prepared remarks.

A leaked sales presentation obtained by Insider in 2021 revealed that, at the time, 42% of TikTok’s users were between the ages of 18 to 24, and 17% of its audience were between 13 and 17 years old.

Now, it’s estimated that over 60% of Gen Z adults use TikTok daily, compared to over 20% of US adults who use the app daily, according to a January 2023 data research report from Morning Consult. Facebook, YouTube and Instagram still beat out TikTok by drawing in higher percentages of US adults who used those social platforms daily, according to the research.

But TikTok’s popularity is undeniable, and major social media companies have taken note and tried to replicate the success of the platform. Although Google and Meta have invested heavily in rival products, such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, the tech giants have yet to meaningfully steer users away from TikTok, according to Morning Consult. 

But as TikTok is faced with greater concern over data privacy in the US, it’s possible more users could switch over to Instagram or YouTube.

TikTok’s CEO is about to be grilled over security concerns

The Biden administration is reportedly threatening to ban TikTok in the US if its parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t spin-off the app, and the company is going all-out to try to quell Washington’s concerns.

Two days before the hearing, Chew appeared in a video on TikTok’s official account where he spoke about the ban and how the app currently reaches 150 million monthly active users in the US, including 5 million businesses.

In his prepared remarks, Chew also mentioned the app’s reading community, called BookTok — a section of the platform he said has generated over 100 billion views. BookTok has also been attributed with creating a surge in book sales in the publishing industry over the last few years.

“TikTok has empowered millions of Americans to express their voices in their own authentic way and has provided a global stage for their creativity in a way that cannot be replicated on any other platform or in any other medium,” Chew said in his written remarks.

How Facing Rejection Can Turn Into Multi-Generational Wealth | Entrepreneur

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Business and life are full of “nos.” And even though you may hear the word “no” a lot, that doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress or that you won’t reach your goals. You can hear hundreds, if not thousands, of “nos” ——and that one single “yes” can change your entire life. The key is being able to weather the storm of “no” — to become the person who receives the “yes.”

Hubspot says, 60% of customers say “no” four times before saying “yes,” but most 48% of salespeople don’t even make a single follow-up attempt, while another 44% give up after one call. That means 8% of salespeople are making the majority of sales because of their follow-up protocol. This is where grit and tenacity become two of the most important differentiating tools in your arsenal for getting results.

Related: What Real Entrepreneurs Do When They Hear the Word ‘No’

Grit and tenacity are just two pieces to the puzzle

Often you will hear people praise entrepreneurs, business owners and CEOs for their grit and tenacity. Their ability to make it through challenging times, maintain their vision and create organizations that stay aligned with their missions is often summarized as discipline, but there’s something much more important going on.

There is a particular mindset that you have to wrap your head around in order to get to the “yes.” Instead of viewing “no” as rejection, you need to start viewing “no” as information that’s moving you one step closer to “yes.”

“Nos” are intel. How you utilize that intel will dictate how you get the “yes.”

Reframing “no”

It’s one thing to tell yourself that every “no” is one step closer to “yes.” It’s another to believe it. The way you learn to believe this is by taking in the information the “no” gave you and implementing it into your communication process.

For example, if you were selling a yacht, and the person you made an offer to said “no” because they didn’t think they would use it enough, you just received pertinent information. You now know that some people will be thinking about how often they will use their yacht. This gives you the power to address that question in each sales conversation first, instead of waiting for that question to pop up as an objection. You can now weave that answer into the conversation, addressing the value of the yacht — regardless of how often it’s used.

Related: After Hearing “No” Dozens of Times This Entrepreneur Became Orlando’s First $1 Billion Fintech Unicorn

How to use the data you get from a “no”

As you take in the information the “no” gave you, you now have the direct data you need to shift your approach. You can now enhance your communication, you can be of greater support, and you now have more leverage because you’re working with more intel. This is vital in getting to the “yes.”

One way to use the data you get is by framing the mind of the person you’re talking to in regard to the things they’re concerned about, helping them to make the best decision possible. Sometimes that decision is “no.” But all you need is one right “yes.”

Another way to use the data you get is by showing your prospect what their lived experience could be if they said “yes” instead of talking about the features of the offer. According to a study conducted by Sales Lab Insights, top-performing salespeople talk about the features of what they’re selling 50% less than average and below-average salespeople. This means instead of focusing on the features of what’s being sold, top-performing salespeople are communicating how the person will benefit from saying “yes” based on the information the prospect is giving them directly.

For example, instead of talking about how many decks are on the yacht, how fast it goes, how far it goes and what materials were used to build it, you’d talk more about how they could use the yacht to celebrate meaningful moments, making memories that last a lifetime. Features tell, visions sell.

Don’t get lost in the quantity of “no.” Focus on the quality of “no.”

It can be easy to forget that quality and quantity are different things. Sometimes we can look at the outcome and forget to look at the variables that created the outcome. If you had 15 people considering your offer, but none of them had the money to invest nor the resources to create those funds, then there is no chance they can tell you “yes.” Likewise, if you are speaking to people who do not have the problem you solve or are not interested in what you have to offer, then getting a “yes” is highly unlikely. These variables have nothing to do with you as a person or the offer. Instead, these variables let us know that we’re talking to the wrong people, and we need to shift who we’re speaking to in order to get a “yes.”

If we didn’t have the data to make those decisions with, we could end up with infinite “nos;” but by utilizing the data we collect from our other conversations, it’s easier to reach the right people, with the right offer, to get the “yes.”

Related: Why Entrepreneurs Should Welcome the Word ‘No’

It’s just like dating

If you’ve ever been on a dating app, it can be a little disheartening to swipe through thousands of people and struggle to get a match or have a meaningful connection. It can leave you feeling vulnerable, rejected, hurt and frustrated — or so my single friends tell me. But the truth is you don’t need a lot of matches; you only need one. So, you’re not going through the app trying to get as many “yeses” as possible. You are trying to get the one right “yes.” It’s the same in business.

One right “yes” can change the entire trajectory of your life. For example, perhaps you inherited a large art collection worth $20 million dollars, but most of your net worth is not liquid. If you are able to sell that collection to the right person, that can change everything by making the value of that art collection liquid in whatever asset format you desire, whether fiat, digital currencies or another asset type entirely.

Let the “nos” elevate your identity

It’s not about the number of times that you hear “no.” It’s about the person you become and the mindset that you develop in the process of getting to the “yes.” The person who is able to move forward and not allow their worth to be dictated by the “no” they receive is the one who will move toward greater success in the quickest manner. This keeps you open to opportunities, maintains your confidence and gives you the power to pivot as you need to. Detaching from perceived projection takes your ego out of the equation and sets you up for smart decision-making and positive relationships.

By developing and utilizing this skill, you not only create more wins for yourself with greater value, but you can pass down this way of thinking to future generations. That way, not only are you creating multi-generational wealth via the assets you accumulate in your portfolio, but you also are giving an inheritance of mind that will allow others to think in the same way and continue expanding your legacy.

I took a demotion and a $7,000-a-month pay cut to help manage my burnout. I have no regrets — here’s how I did it.

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I took a demotion and a $7,000-a-month pay cut to help manage my burnout. I have no regrets — here's how I did it.
  • I was promoted in 2020 to chief operating officer at the startup The Living Lab.
  • Burnout in my new role began to trigger my chronic anxiety, and I was crying at work weekly.
  • After making sure a demotion was financially viable for me, I asked my bosses for one in February.

In 2018, I was the first hire at a real-estate-coaching company after leaving my job as head of public relations for an agency. By March 2020, I’d been promoted from a marketing coach to chief operating officer. 

The pandemic was the start of my slow burnout journey. The company was already remote, but we still had challenges like everyone else. 

I had to juggle the pandemic and a new role 

It was now my job to create much-needed operating procedures and hire for new roles, on top of delivering new programs and coaching offers. 

The new responsibility of managing every department and being everyone’s resource for problem-solving, alongside navigating a pandemic, took a toll on my mental health.

My anxiety seemed to grow each day. I wasn’t motivated to do anything except the bare minimum, and I didn’t feel the same sense of accomplishment in my work.

Everything came to a head in summer. My job had slowly evolved over 2 ½ years into something I didn’t love. 

I went from creating operating procedures and working closely with our delivery department to doing work in isolation and taking on responsibilities I didn’t enjoy, such as training and managing sales-team hires.

I also felt increasingly responsible for the company’s financial success or failure.

2 ½ years into the role, I’d reached my breaking point

The weight of this role triggered my chronic anxiety. I was crying about my job at least once a week. 

Being in charge of what felt like everything and everyone was not good for my mental health. 

The stress carried over into every aspect of my life. I was irritable and distracted with family members and friends and turned down social invites because I had no energy. I knew I needed to make a change.

I wanted to return to work I loved: marketing, branding, and creation. 

While I disliked my job, I didn’t want to walk away from the fantastic team I’d built. I also still believed in the company’s mission and felt I had more to offer.

To stay at the company but step away from management would mean moving down the ladder. 

I knew I wanted a demotion but wanted to feel confident in my choice

Before I approached my bosses, I needed to make sure a demotion was financially viable for me. I knew my salary would take a hit, but I wanted to negotiate my pay, as opposed to leaving it up to my boss.

I made a budget and revisited my investments. I cut my salary by 34%, from $20,500 a month to $13,500 a month. I felt the cut would account for my new lack of management responsibilities and boost the salary of the new chief operating officer.

I live in Montreal, where the cost of living is relatively low compared with Toronto or Vancouver, British Columbia. My 1,500-square-foot loft costs me $1,650 a month with utilities and internet, compared with my 550-square-foot Toronto apartment that cost $2,600 a month. Even with a proposed $7,000-a-month cut, I could comfortably cover my living expenses.

My savings were going to take the biggest hit

My proposed cut meant reducing how much income I saved each month by almost half. I made a list of expenses to trim and edited my subscriptions to minimize the effect.

I also spoke with my financial advisor and changed some mutual funds and guaranteed-return investments into stocks — I’m only 33, so I have the luxury of waiting out market volatility.

I’ve also started contributing a few freelance articles to publications each month, which I was doing to supplement my income while with my previous employer.

Preparation was key in having a positive conversation about my demotion with my boss

After six months of careful deliberation, I approached my boss to discuss my demotion.  

I prepared an outline for the conversation in early February. In the meeting, I celebrated my wins, while taking personal accountability for my lack of growth. I also clearly articulated where I felt I could bring value elsewhere and how the demotion would benefit everyone.

I also proposed the pay cut with the clear idea that I wanted to earn my way back to another pay raise. 

The result was a positive, laughter-filled conversation that left everyone satisfied.

I’m so much happier now that I’ve been demoted

Since my demotion in February, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on what I love doing, and it has reignited my joy in coming to work. 

My mental health improved immediately. My anxiety diminished, my sleep improved, I was twice as productive, and within my first two weeks, I created an offer that has brought in significant additional revenue without adding meaningful strain on the team. I’m in a much better place personally and professionally.

If I had to make the same decision again, I absolutely would.

Arkansas Bans Transgender Students From Using School Bathrooms Matching Their Gender Identity

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Arkansas Bans Transgender Students From Using School Bathrooms Matching Their Gender Identity

Topline

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed a law Tuesday that bans transgender people from using bathrooms that match their gender identity in public schools, the latest in a series of targeted legislative moves in GOP-led states.

Key Facts

The law applies to all “multiple occupancy restrooms and locker rooms” at public and charter schools across the state.

School superintendents, principals and teachers who violate the law may face minimum fines of at least $1,000, while parents are also allowed to take legal action to make sure it’s enforced.

The law, which won’t go into effect until later this year, was passed by the state’s Republican-led legislature last week.

Schools will also be required to provide “reasonable accommodation,” including single occupancy restrooms, to any individual who is “unwilling or unable” to use a multi occupancy restroom “designated for the individual’s sex.”

Arkansas is now the fourth state after Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alabama to prevent transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice in public schools.

Key Background

The bill signed by Sanders on Tuesday is one of many legislative efforts targeting transgender people being pushed through the legislatures of Republican-led states. Lawmakers in 11 other states—Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Texas—are pushing through bathroom bills similar to the Arkansas legislation. The Idaho and Iowa bills are yet to be signed by governors after being passed by the states’ legislatures last week. Earlier this month, the Arkansas Senate passed a more extreme version of the bathroom bill, which would allow a transgender person to be charged with “misdemeanor sexual indecency with a child” if they use a public restroom matching their gender identity while a minor is present.

Big Number

More than 435. That’s how many bills targeting LGBTQ+ people are moving through the legislatures of 37 states, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The Arkansas law,10 such bills have passed into law this year, and eight more are on governor’s desks awaiting passage.

Further Reading

Arkansas restricts school bathroom use by transgender people (Associated Press)