4 Ways Ink Don’t Stink

Chip’s Money Tips Subscriber-Extraordinaire Jacko has a question:

“Can you recommend a decent rewards card that will allow me to float some payables for a few months?”

Absolutely!  Three of the four Chase Ink cards have a 0% introductory rate for the first six billing cycles that your account is open.  Float, float on… until Summer!

Ink Classic, Ink Cash, Ink Plus and Ink Bold are similar but different.  If they were unfamiliar food, we might say they all “Taste like chicken.”

Ink Classic, Ink Cash and Ink Plus all have a 0% introductory rate for six billing cycles.  For that time period, there is 0% interest.

The Ink cards were created for business use, but that pretty much includes anyone who makes a buck doing something.  As I have said before, if you are a handyman, nanny, dog walker, actor, or sell stuff online – congratulations the IRS says you are called a sole proprietor!

When you apply for one of these cards, put your name as Name of Business, your social security number as Tax ID Number, and sole proprietor as Type of Business.  It’s all legal and legit.

Before I give you the breakdown of what each card offers, here’s a way to maximize these bonus babies!

Getting the Biggest Bonus Bang for your Buck
All four Ink cards pay 5 points per dollar spent on internet, phone and TV services.  I set those providers to automatically charge my bill to my Ink card.  Those 5 points per dollar equate to 5% back if redeemed for cash.  All four cards also pay 2 points for gas – which equates to 2% back if redeemed for cash.  So I use it there as well.

All four Ink cards give 5 points for every dollar spent at office supply stores.  Stores like Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax sell all kinds of stuff.  It’s not just office/school supplies.  They sell phones, computers, snacks, Christmas photo cards.  I got my desk chair there.  They even sell gift cards to a slew of other stores, restaurants and even plain old Visa and American Express cards to be used anywhere Amex and Visa are accepted.

It’s pretty easy to see how you could earn 5 times rewards points on stuff other than toner and Trapper Keepers.

What does one do with Ultimate Rewards Points?
Ultimate Rewards points generally are worth a penny apiece.  They can be worth more if used for travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards site.  You can use them to get cash back, statement credit, and gift cards at a penny a point.

With Ink Bold and Ink Plus, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to United, Southwest, British Airways and Korean Air.  My transfers to United and Southwest were immediate – which is great if you need to add miles to get a free flight.  You can also transfer Ultimate Rewards points to hotel programs at Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Priority Club, as well as Amtrak Guest Rewards.

In the End It is certainly worth trying out an Ink card and seeing the benefits for yourself! Click on “Chip’s Favorite Credit Card Offers” at the top right side of this website for up-to-date deals, terms, and conditions on these cards and more.  Email me if you have any questions about which card might be right for your situation.

Ink Cash – Apply now

• Earn $200 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other card purchases
• 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers
• No Annual Fee

Ink Classic – Apply now

• Reward yourself with 20,000 Bonus Points worth $200 in Ultimate Rewards after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• 5 points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
• 2 points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
• 1 point per dollar on all other card purchases
• 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers
• No Annual Fee

Ink Plus – Apply now

• Reward yourself with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in 3 months from account opening
• With Ink Plus, you have the cash flow flexibility with the choice to pay over time or pay in full
• Earn 5 points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
• Earn 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
• 1 point per dollar on all other card purchases
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Transfer points you’ve earned to participating frequent travel programs at 1:1 value
• Save with a 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers
• No Annual Fee – the first year ($95 thereafter)

Ink Bold – Apply now

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• No interest charges because it’s a pay in full charge card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Earn 5 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services
• Earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
• 1 point per dollar on all other card purchases
• Transfer points at full value to participating travel programs at 1:1 value.
• No Annual Fee – the first year ($95 thereafter)

Blue Ink came from here

Thank you for clicking on “Chip’s Favorite Credit Card Offers” at the top right side of this website for up-to-date deals, terms, and conditions on these cards and more.  I appreciate it!  Not only will that ensure you get the correct offer, but we may get a referral credit from approvals. That support helps keep the 1s and 0s spinning around cyberspace bringing great Chip’s Money Tips to you!!  Many graciases.  Email me if you have any questions about which card might be right for your situation.