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Ink Bold 50,000 Point Offer Ending, New Card Benefits Added

by on November 23, 2011 · 39 comments

in Chase, Credit Cards, Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards card, which currently offers 50,000 points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months, is the Chase Sapphire Preferred business card equivalent. This means you can use these Ultimate Rewards points to transfer instantly at 1:1 ratios to United, Continental, British Airways, Korean Airlines, Hyatt, Priority Club, Marriott and Amtrak. This sign-up bonus alone is enough points for two roundtrip coach awards or one way in business to Europe – not bad for a card with no annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter). Ultimate Rewards points are really flexible - you can transfer them to anyone else’s frequent flyer/hotel accounts and you can even combine them with other people’s Ultimate Reward accounts.

In addition to the sign-up points, the other key benefits are:
Update- it looks like Chase is really trying to take business from the new Amex Business Rewards Gold card: Ink Bold now gives 5 points per dollar on cable, internet, wireless and other communications and 2 points per dollar on gas and hotels.

Category spend bonuses

Chase is also giving Priority Pass membership- granted you still have to pay $27 per lounge entry, but its a decent option to have nonetheless.

Travel benefits

The Ink Bold is a charge card, which means there is no pre-set spending limit (which is the flexibility that many businesses require).
The Ink Bold is a business card, which means that it is secured by your personal credit (they will run an inquiry against your SSN), but it will sit on your business line of credit, meaning it won’t show up on your personal credit reports after you get it.
The Ink Bold offers threshold spend bonuses: Once you exceed $25,000 in net purchases you will receive 7,500 bonus points, once you exceed $50,000 in net purchases you will receive an additional 15,000 bonus points, and once you exceed $100,000 in net purchases you will receive an additional 25,000 bonus points.
If you have Chase Business checking accounts, having an Ink Bold card attached will waive any monthly fees (so you don’t have to require a minimum monthly balance).
Additionally, if you are business checking customer you earn a 20% bonus on all points through the Business Exclusives program

Also, Chase is getting rid of foreign transaction fees on this card, making it good for international use as well.

I had been waiting to apply for the Ink Bold, but I just applied so I could have time to get approved via the reconsideration line before Monday. I actually have several LLCs with their own EIN (Tax ID numbers), so I’m thinking/hoping this application process will be seamless. I applied last night and got a “we are considering your application message,” which isn’t too uncommon with Chase these days. I called the reconsideration line at 1-888-245-0625 (and is handily stored in my cell phone address book and at the rate of Chase’s rock star promotions, will be on speed dial soon).

However, the normal reconsideration line does not handle business card requests – you have to call the business lending department at 1-800-453-9719 between 8am and 8pm EST. I will update you all on my experience once all is said and done.

Update: I called this morning and had a super friendly rep who verified some information and then recommended me for approval. This comes at a good time, because my Ultimate Rewards account is dwindling!

If you don’t have an official LLC you can still get this card by entering your social security number as the business tax ID, though you may be asked to justify your application, so be prepared for that. If you legitimately have no business or plans to have a business in the future then I do not recommend applying for this card.

Details:

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author.s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

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  • Eddie

    Caution- I applied for this card 2 weeks ago after I had applied for the Sapphire Preferred and got it. I received Sapphire Preferred quickly with a large line and no hassle. For Ink Bold, I received a rejection letter right away stating due to information on my report. I found this strange considering the application for Sapphire was my first new credit inquiry in over 7 years, my credit is perfect, and I have no debt. She said there was a 30k balance on Amex on my report. I explained it was a charge card and I paid each month. In addition, I have 3 large lines with B of A and have aost no balance so debt ratio is low. She said because of the amount she needed me to send the last 6 months of statements of my personal Amex to show I paid in full each month along with 2 years of tax returns for the business. I have an S corp. the company has am Amex and again, never had an issue. I sent everything in yesterday and am waiting for a response but I could not imagine them saying no. Company grosses a lot of money etc. I asked her why do much hassle for a simple charge card and no hassle for a huge line on Sapphire Preferred. She would not comment on Sapphire as she said it was another department but said Chase was making sure that real businesses were applying for the card and verifying information. I expect I will receive the card but the experience has been off putting. Also, the winding down of the promo may signal something was not great about this deal.

    Anyway, I only mention this as it seemed like a hard application and you may want to consider before you waste an inquiry.

  • hmaia

    On the application page it says 50K points after you spend U$5,000.00 in 3 months. I just want to make sure I got the right link. Tks, Henry

  • Anonymous

    You are correct- I updated my post. It is $5k within 3 months

  • theblakefish

    Why NOT apply for this if I am an individual? I am planning on getting the Sapphire card in Q1 2012 and, with this deal ending in the next few days and my ability to make the spend requirements with a bit of juggling, I don’t see why someone shouldn’t apply for this card immediately….no fee, gives you what the Sapphire gives you, no hit to personal credit….please tell us? Is it because you don’t get a referral bonus on this one?? Eh?? ;)

  • Anonymous

    I discouraged applying if you don’t have a business because you will most likely be asked to provide details of your business. If you don’t have one, then it could be considered lying and I just can’t recommend people do that.

    I do get a referral on this one, but that still doesn’t make me recommend what could be considered unethical behavior.

    But I agree its a nice companion to the Sapphire Preferred. I’m very happy I just got approved :-)

  • theblakefish

    Ethical schmethical…:) Your blog is the best out there, man. Thank to you I have this card, and the 2 AA cards with the biz card to come ina few weeks. I appreciate your prompt posting of deals and the like…and the fact that you stay OFF BoardingArea…and NIGHTLINE for that matter. Happy Turkey Day and keep up the good work!!!

  • Jtgray

    I got a targeted mail offer for this card for 50K bonus after first purchase. Unfortunately, I had already applied for the card through the standard offer! It took them almost 3 weeks to approve (I called about 1x per week until I got the OK) and then I told them about my targeted offer. They said they would apply it to my Bold.

    A week later, 50,000 points ended up in my Ink Cash account as an “adjustment”. Several calls later and the points were moved to my Bold Ultimate Rewards account.

    Because it was an adjustment, I’m wondering if the 50,000 bonus points for $5000 spend is still active on my Bold. I’m going to try to hit the spend requirement and see what happens. Because I DO spend $5k in 3 months anyway, if there is even the slightest chance of those 50k points hitting I should go for it. I’m only really losing out on the 7% Sapphire dividend, as I am still saving dining for my freedom and travel for my sapphire pref. And gas groceries and airfare on my amex PRG

  • PJ

    they simply has the rule : no 2 cards on the same day or less than 30 days ( maybe 60 days) ever approved OFF the Reconsideration wire .

    I would love to get that card if they dont threaten to see what is my real business is ie as Citi Business AA card, they look for proof you do have buniness.

    anybody cares to comment? My wife has only one AMEX gold on her own credit and many AUs on mine. Why when I started a application for my wife: her credit score was 739 ( low due to being DELINQUENT on erroneous charge by Verzion for NO RISK 30 days PHONE DSL) bundle trial) the rejction letter stated Experian SCORE 737. CHase Reconsideration took the excuse and the SOUTHWEST card was approved.. Ka Ching… the shock is this: while waiting to see the letter coming from Experian Amex turned her down SPG application for the score 654 ” Fico score from Experian…” who can explain the 737 ( 739 before enquiry) and 654 (after Chase turn down and amex enquiry hit)

    By the way, amex did cite as nagative to credit score if you have only one card.

  • PJ

    THEY ARE GOOD: i think you are getting all your 100K 50K and 50K GOOOD DEALS to be thankful:)

  • PJ

    TPG mentioned nothing on MINTing AA points…. I did resist the idea after I read it away from this site. I did catch the last train to buy 500 coins to amuse those ballroom dancing clubs where they charge extra for using credit cards

  • Paul W

    If you have a Chase business checking linked to the Ink Bold, you also get a 20% bonus on UR points. That means you earn 1.2 point for each dollar spent (it’s called “Chase Exclusives”). In my view, that makes Ink Bold a better choice that Amex SPG for every day spend that does not fit into a bonus category on some other card. Also, my banker at Chase says that new benefits are going to be added to the Ink Bold card soon, such as 2X points on internet and so on like the Ink Classic card has now, and also confirmed that foreign tranaction fees will be eliminated. He says Ink Bold is supposed to compete with Amex Biz Gold, but Chase is now waking up to the fact that it needs new more benefits to do so. What I wonder is if the 20% points bonus will apply to the 50K points signup bonus.

  • http://getbusylivingblog.com Benny Hsu

    I just got off the phone with the rep. Applied a couple weeks ago. She asked some questions about the business. Nothing too tough. Had to close an old Chase card, which is fine. Got approved and will get it in two weeks. Thanks for the heads up!

  • RH

    Hey Brian,

    Do you think it’s possible to apply for both the Ink Bold and Sapphire Preferred cards in the same day, or does Chase have a policy requiring that I wait 30-60 days?

  • Anonymous

    You won’t get auto approved for both, but if you have good credit and give them good enough reason (like Sapphire will be your main personal card, Ink Bold you business card) I bet you’d be able to get both. Some TPG readers have written to me recently saying they have gotten two Chase cards in the same day.

  • Rob

    Looks like Chase made that update to the Ink Bold today. When you visit the Ink Bold page it states 5x points on office supply stores, cable and wireless service, and landline communications (for first $50,000 spent) and 2x points on gas and hotels (for first $50,000 spent). Also it now has no foreign transaction fees. This card also includes complimentary access to the Priority Pass for lounge access each year ($99 value) with 2 free visits every year ($27 value each visit). I confirmed with rep on phone that this benefit is each year and not just a one time thing.

  • RH

    Thanks! One other quick clarifying question: applying for a Ink Bold (or any other business card) does not have the same effect on one’s credit report/score as a personal card, correct?

  • Michael

    I’ve read and re-read the post a few times and I can’t seem to find the offer end date. The title says “Ink Bold 50,000 Point Offer Ending”, but it doesn’t seem to say _when_ it’s ending. Thanks. (My apologies if the date is in there and I just missed it.)

  • Akraus

    Can you please confirm, because on the 50K application link you put up it says that there is a foreign transaction fee, but on the regular link it says there isn’t. Which one is true?

  • Akraus

    Btw, I applied in 7 days for the Pres continental card, Sapphire, Ink Bold and got approved for all of them, of course I needed to call Lendingservices

  • http://www.MarylandJuice.com Maryland Juice

    @Rob — did they mention if you have to do anything other than show up at a participating lounge with your card, in order to get the 2 free visits? Also, do you think it is 2 individuals or 2 visits (including with a companion)?

    I’ve copied the Terms below, and they confirm the 2 free visits, but they don’t seem to say much more than that.

    50,000 Bonus Points

    You will receive 50,000 bonus points with this bonus offer. To qualify and receive your bonus, you must make purchases totaling $5,000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. Purchases do not include using your account for balance transfers or cash advances, or using any checks that access your account. After qualifying, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for bonus points to post to your account. To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first-time cardmembers with new accounts. Previous and existing cardmembers/ accounts are not eligible for this bonus offer.
    Earn up to 5 points per $1

    You will earn 1 base point for each $1 of net purchases. You will earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of airfare and hotel net purchases made online through the program booking tool. You will also earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of net purchases made at merchants that classify their merchant location for Visa/MasterCard in any of the following categories: gas stations, hotels and motels. You will earn an additional 4 points for each $1 of net purchases made at merchants that classify their merchant location for Visa/MasterCard in any of the following categories: wireless/telecommunications services (excluding equipment such as phones and fax machines), cable and satellite television and radio services, office supply stores and wholesale distributors of office supplies. We do not determine whether merchants correctly identify and bill transactions as being made at locations in each particular category. However, we do reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for the additional points on category purchases. Purchases not eligible to receive the additional points on category purchases include, but are not limited to, purchases made at superstores, warehouse clubs, discount stores, and their affiliates. Online and catalog purchases are not eligible to receive the additional points on category purchases unless the merchants have correctly identified and billed the transactions. You do not earn points on cash-like charges such as travelers checks, foreign currency, and money orders, overdraft advances, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, or fees of any kind. Maximum point accumulation on net purchases earning an additional 4 points on category purchases is 200,000 points annually, which equates to $50,000 in net purchases. Maximum point accumulation on net purchases earning an additional 1 point on category purchases is 50,000 points annually, which equates to $50,000 in net purchases. There is no maximum number of points that can be earned on net purchases earning 1 base point, or the additional 1 point earned on airfare and hotel net purchases made online through the program booking tool. Bonus/Promotional offers may have a maximum accumulation. A service fee of up to $20 per ticket may be charged for the use of our toll-free number to book or change airline itineraries. Redemptions made online do not have a service fee. See Rewards Program Rules and Regulations which will be mailed after your account is established.
    Flexible spending limit

    There is no pre-set spending limit on your account. Instead, we determine a flexible spending limit for your account, whereby each charge is evaluated based on the spending and payment patterns on the account, your other relationships with us, information from credit reports obtained from credit bureaus including your experience with other creditors, and our understanding of your resources.
    Complimentary airport lounge access

    Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. For full terms and conditions, please refer to the Conditions of Use section of your LOUNGE CLUBTM Lounge Directory you will receive upon enrollment. Lounge visit fees may be adjusted with prior notice. Complimentary visits may apply to Members and/or an accompanying guest. After the first two visits each year, cardholders simply pay $27 per person per visit for themselves and any accompanying guest(s) when visiting a participating lounge.

  • Guest

    but did anyone notice: now that 5x & 2x bonus categories ARE listed, there is NO mention of the threshold spending bonuses? can anyone confirm whether the 5x/2x is actually in addition to threshold bonuses, or is it now replacing them?

  • JP

    This may be grandfathered in because new applicants no longer get the 20% bonus.

  • Rob

    It is 2 visits an if 2 people visit then that uses both your visits. After that it is $27 per person per visit.

    You need to register for the Priority pass membership once you get your ink card which will give you a membership card so it is not by using your ink card. They send you instructions with the ink card.

    It’s a free $99 membership each year and 2 free $27 entries each year.

  • Guest

    Like I stated above, looks like the 5/2 version might not include EITHER the 20% Exclusives bonus OR the spending threshold bonuses, unlike what is posted in the article. Big difference. Can anyone verify?

  • Anonymous

    I emailed my contacts at chase- ill update as soon as I know

  • Jam

    I swear it was up this morning and it expired in a few days, but I think it got edited off.

    TPG, you might want to update to show this– I think you mgiht have taken it down when you re-edited the post to reflect it requires a 5k spend in 3 months.

  • Guest

    And actually, even regarding ‘version 1′ of Ink Bold (which definitely has 20% Exclusives bonus with linked checking), has anyone ever confirmed whether the 20% bonus applies only to base spend or to ALL points earned? i.e. Sapphire 7% bonus applies to ALL. If IB 20% only applies to base, this makes a difference on which card to use at UR mall for>4X bonus purchases…

  • Paul W

    What I received was one year in “Lounge Club” with two free $27 entries. I had to sign up and then sent me a card and some paperwork. Is Lounge Club the same as Priority Club or is it lesser?

  • Brian(J)

    My Situation:
    I had Chase United last year, and this year got the Chase BA, Chase Sapphire, and Chase Hyatt cards. Applied for the Chase Ink Bold and was instantly approved; probably helps that I have a real commercial account with Chase and a EIN number as well. Proof that you can have 5 chase cards with no phone call.

    Now I will dump Chase BA and go for the Chase Priority Club, I have been targeted for the improved offer (80K?). Thanks to TPG for the kick in the butt, I had been stalling around while we burned through off the wife’s Sapphire spend.

  • Rob

    Lounge Club is the same thing as Priority Pass – just branded as the program for the Chase Ink Bold cardmembers.

  • Al

    I haven’t read anything about the new Diners now that BMO has officially taken over the card from Citi. The Diners used to be the premier card. I’ve carried it for almost 20 years, but airline partners have left in droves including AA most recently with the transfer to BMO. Anyone have an opinion as I’m thinking of dropping the card after almost 20 years.

  • Nabeel Jafferali

    I called about my existing Ink Bold and was told I would be migrated to the new rewards scheme and the new no foreign transaction fees in April.

    Also, it appears the new offer does not include the threshold bonuses.

  • Srubin

    you mentioned 20% bonus as a business checking customer and then provided a link….. i click the link but i dont see what youre talking about.

    is this documented somewhere?

    thanks

  • Peter L

    can you please clarify when you say: “The Ink Bold is a charge card, which means there is no pre-set spending limit” – does this mean I can charge as much as I want on it, only to pay it off every month? If so, why do I read that there’s still a “credit line limit” on the card?

  • Anonymous

    Right.. Chase isn’t going to let you charge a million dollars on it- they still have a limit. But in general, its higher and more flexible than a traditional credit card

  • Guest

    Any update on this?

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