Ink Bold vs. Ink Plus

Posted by Noob Master on Dec 31, 2012 in business credit cards, Chase Bank, Credit Cards, Ink Cards, Ultimate Rewards, Uncategorized | 4 comments

Happy New Years Eve!

I’ve had quite the whirlwind week. Christmas with family, Jordan’s birthday, my birthday, our anniversary (what were we thinking), New Years on the horizon…and now we added a 7 month old puppy to our household! I barely know what day it is.

Anyway, enough with my personal happenings. I had a reader email me last weekend asking, “what’s the difference between the Ink Plus® Business Card and Ink Bold® Business Card?”

Well, let’s start with what’s the same.

Reward yourself with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in 3 months from account opening

Both the Ink Plus and Ink Bold come with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in 3 months. The normal minimum spend requirement is $10,000 in 3 months, and rumors are saying it’s going to be raised any day now. Anytime there’s a 50,000 Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus, you should pay attention. Ultimate Rewards points are the most valuable points today, because of their transfer partners. It’s all about flexibility.

Earn 5X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services

This is my favorite feature of my Ink cards. Who doesn’t love earning 5x points, especially when they’re Ultimate Rewards points? I spend about $300 a month on internet, cable, and cellular phone service. That’s an additional 1,500 Ultimate Rewards points a month (18,000 annually) for purchases I’m already making. Boom goes the dynamite.

While the 5x office supply store category seems to get all the attention (as it should), know that you are limited to 5x points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually on 5x categories. I have three Ink cards, so I’m in no danger of spending more than $50,000 (250,000 Ultimate Rewards points) on each Ink card. I can dream though.

Earn 2X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel

I love getting multiple points on my gas purchases! To earn 2x points on hotels, you need to purchase your room directly from the hotel (no third party site), or go through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards mall.  You will also get 2x points on airfare booked through your Ink’s Ultimate Rewards portal.

No foreign transaction fees

I used my Ink Plus often when I was overseas, even though it wasn’t a chip & pin card. To be a top tier card in my wallet you need to have no foreign transaction fees.

Direct access to a live service advisor anytime

Having a dedicated phone line that gives you direct access to a customer service rep is a huge perk. I love this feature on my Sapphire Preferred and Ink cards. I’ve always found the service to be top-notch, and there’s never been a wait anytime I’ve called! That’s very shocking in today’s customer service phone land.

Introductory Offer – First Year Free ($95 thereafter)

I hate paying annual fees upfront. It’s like watching a Ryan Gosling chick-flick with Jordan. I’ll do it, and I won’t like it, but I know it will pay off in the end. Luckily, the annual fee is waived for the first year on the Ink cards.

Avis First

Previously, I posted in detail on the Ink Insider benefits, and Avis First is one of those bennies.

2 Free Lounge Passes

You will receive two free lounges passes with each Ink card. Go to this page and enter your promo code (call the direct service line on the back of your card).

WHAT’S DIFFERENT?

The only real difference between the two cards is that the Ink Bold is a charge card, and the Ink Plus is a credit card. This means the Ink Bold will not have a set spending limit, giving you spending freedom when using your Bold. But, you must pay off your balance in full at the end of every billing cycle. You should be doing this anyway. If you don’t pay off your balance in full –  you will be hit with a hefty fee.

Endings

The great thing about the Ink Bold and Ink Plus is that they’re seen as different products. This means more opportunities for us to earn Ultimate Rewards points, and to find a business card that works best for us.

Since they are seen as different products that serve different purposes, you can get both on the same day! I’ve had a couple of readers recently have success in applying for both on the same day.

As I’ve mentioned before on the blog, you can have multiple Ink cards, and even multiple of each card. I have an Ink Plus for my incorporated business, and one as a sole proprietor. I also have an Ink Bold for my incorporated business.

You don’t have to be incorporated to apply for a business card, and here’s a post with tips on applying/being reconsidered for business rewards cards.

If I had to choose one Ink card to apply for now, I think I would go with the Ink Plus.

Apply Now: Ink Bold® Business Card

Apply Now: Ink Plus® Business Card

(Disclaimer: I receive a referral for the Ink cards mentioned. Thanks for the support if  you decide to apply, and imagine a fist bump)

— Noob Master