Rewards & next steps

How to Apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card

★Here's how to get the most from this card. Follow the steps below, then apply on the issuer's official site.

Applying for the Ink Business Preferred works like most Chase business card applications: you apply online through Chase's official site, provide details about yourself and your business, and Chase runs a credit check against your personal credit file to make the approval decision.

Having your business details organized before you start — and a realistic plan for hitting the $8,000 spend requirement in the first three months — makes the process faster and improves your odds of actually collecting the welcome bonus rather than missing the deadline.

Step by step

1. Gather your business information: Have your legal business name, entity type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.), business address, and either an EIN or your Social Security number (for sole proprietors) ready before you start the application.
2. Check your personal credit standing: Since Chase weighs your personal credit history and income heavily in the approval decision, review your personal credit report beforehand so you know roughly where you stand relative to the card's good-to-excellent credit guideline.
3. Apply directly on Chase's site: Complete the application on Chase's official Ink Business Preferred page rather than through a third party, and confirm the current welcome offer and terms shown there before submitting, since offers can change.
4. Plan your spend to hit the bonus: Map out how you'll reach the required spend within the first 3 months — routing planned shipping, ad spend, or travel bookings you'd make anyway onto the new card — so you don't leave the welcome bonus on the table.
5. Set up recurring bills on the card: Move your monthly cell phone bill and other recurring services onto the card early, both to help hit the spend requirement and to activate benefits like cell phone protection, which requires paying that bill with the card.

Tips & mistakes to avoid

• Only apply once you can realistically hit the $8,000 spend requirement in 3 months — missing it means paying the $95 annual fee without the bonus that makes the card worthwhile.
• Route spend you're already committed to — ad campaigns, shipping labels, business travel — onto the card first, rather than adding new spending just to hit the bonus.
• Pay the statement balance in full each month if possible; with no 0% intro APR, interest at a variable 17.74%–26.74% can outweigh the points you're earning very quickly.
• If your business has held this exact card before, check Chase's bonus eligibility language carefully, since once-per-account restrictions may make you ineligible for the current welcome offer.

FAQ

Will applying for the Ink Business Preferred affect my personal credit score?

Yes. Chase generally runs a hard inquiry on your personal credit report as part of the application, which can cause a small, temporary dip in your score, similar to a personal credit card application.

Do I need an established, registered business to apply?

No. Sole proprietors and freelancers without a formal business entity can apply using their own Social Security number; you don't need an LLC, corporation, or EIN to be eligible.

How long does it take to get the welcome bonus after qualifying?

Chase states it can take about 6 to 8 weeks after you meet the $8,000 spending requirement for the 100,000-point bonus to post to your account.

Advertiser disclosure: general information only, not financial advice. We are an independent publisher, not a card issuer or lender. Confirm current terms on the issuer's official site.