Great Limited Time Deal (EXPIRED): 60,000 Points For Chase Ink Bold and Plus; 25,000 Points for Ink Cash and Classic
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
From June 16-22 Chase is increasing the sign-up bonus on the Ink Bold and Ink Plus cards to 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $5,000 in 3 months and the $95 annual fee is waived the first year. The normal offer is 50,000 points, so this is a nice 20% increase.
The sign-up bonus on the no-annual fee cards is also getting a nice 25% increase - Ink Cash and Ink Classic cards increase from 20,000 to 25,000 points when you spent $3,000 within the first three months.
The Power of Chase Ultimate Rewards
The Ink Bold and Ink Plus allow you to transfer points to United, British Airways, Southwest, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Priority Club and Amtrak. The Cash and Classic are cash-back cards, which means that the points can be used for statement credit/gift cards/travel expenses. However if you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Ink Bold or Plus or card you can combine all of your Ultimate Rewards points and then transfer them to partners, making them much more valuable.
5x/2x Categories
Beyond the sign-up bonuses, the Ink cards are great because they allow you to earn 5 points per dollar at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services. The Ink Bold and Plus have a limit of $50,000 per year at the 5x rate (1x thereafter) and the Cash/Classic cap the 5x bonus at $25,000.
They also offer 2x points at gas stations and hotel accommodations (when booked directly through the hotel). The Ink Bold and Plus have a limit of $50,000 per year at the 5x rate (1x thereafter) and the Cash/Classic cap the 5x bonus at $25,000.
Value of Ultimate Rewards
Chase sells Ultimate Rewards points for 2.5 cents apiece, but I personally value them at about 2 cents apiece, because I can routinely get at least that much when transferring (instantly) them to my favorite partners United and Hyatt.
United is my favorite, because they are a Star Alliance partner, meaning I can transfer points and then book award tickets on over 30 different partners, like Lufthansa First Class to Europe for 67,500 miles one-way and ~$50-$70 in fees. These flights can easily exceed $4,000 each way so United miles allow me to fly a product I wouldn't otherwise pay for with cash, which is why I love miles in general. Eating caviar across the Atlantic on a seat you shelled out ~$70 in cash for is a pretty good feeling!
United also has great domestic availability because they partner with Air Canada and US Airways (until they merge with American). I often use 12,500 miles for one-way coach or 25,000 miles for business class tickets New York-Los Angeles, both of which can be very expensive tickets. United is installing all lie-flat beds in their transcon business class and they open up a ton of availability- especially last minute, so being able to transfer Ultimate Rewards have been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.
Hyatt
I love transferring Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt, because it only costs 22,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points to book at their top tier Park Hyatt properties, which often go for over $1,000 a night. A $1,000 room night at 22,000 points means you're getting over 4.5 cents per point.
I just transferred 88,000 points to book a 4-night stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney for my first trip to Australia next year, which would have been over $900 a night. I was also able to transfer 44,000 points for two nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives, which was over $1,100 per night. So even though I could have booked a cheaper property if I were paying in cash, being able to transfer my Chase points to Hyatt has allowed me to book top-notch properties that I normally wouldn't be able to afford.
Sign-up Bonus Value
Conservatively at 2 cents a point, the 60,000-point sign-up bonus is worth about $1,200 in value and the 25,000-point bonus is $500 - pretty incredible since you don't pay an annual fee for the first year on the Ink Plus or Bold ($95 thereafter) and none ever on the Ink Cash and Classic.
However, even if you don't transfer the points to partners, Chase allows you to book any flight/hotel at 1.25 cents per point through Ultimate Rewards travel, so the 60,000-point sign-up bonus at a minimum is worth $750. The 25,000-point sign-up on Cash/Class is worth $250 in statement credit.
Which to Get?
If you've never had a Chase business card, I'd go for the 60,000 point sign-up on the Ink Plus. The Bold and Plus have nearly identical benefits, except Ink Bold is a charge card (no pre-set spending limit, but you have to pay off in full every month) and the Ink Plus is a credit card (you can pay off over time, albeit with high interest fees). Since I pay off bills every month to avoid huge fees it doesn't really matter, but if for some reason you ever need to carry a balance, the fees/surcharges are lower on the Ink Plus, so that's why I'd get that card. I actually have both since I have separate businesses and like to keep my expenses separate.
Chase doesn't have any published rules on how many cards you can get. You can get more than one Ink card and you will get the sign-up bonus if approved for a card as long as you haven't had that exact card in the past.
Lounge Passes
Both cards also give cardholders complimentary Lounge Club membership. It’s sort of like Priority Pass membership where you pay to join and then each time you visit a lounge, you pay a day pass fee. Lounge Club has 350 VIP airport lounges worldwide and membership is priced at $150 per person per year. Ink Bold and Ink Plus cardholders get two free lounge passes per year and then after that, they will have to pay the usual $27 per person per visit fee.
Related Ink Posts:
Top 10 Benefits of the Ink Bold and Ink Plus Cards
A Detailed Look at Ink Bold Benefits You Might Not Know About
Maximizing Chase Ink Bonus Spending Categories
Maximizing the Ink Office Category Bonus Spending
Maximizing the Ink Bold’s 5X Spending Bonuses With Gift Cards
Maximizing Ultimate Rewards With the Chase Ink Cards
Chase Ink: Which Card Is Best For You
Can You Get Both The Ink Bold and Ink Plus?
Ranking the Top Business Credit Cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.