Why the Chase Ink Business Preferred is Great for Long-Term Travelers

For long-term travelers running a business or side hustle, finding a credit card that maximizes rewards and offers practical travel benefits is essential. The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card stands out as an excellent choice for those constantly on the move. With its robust rewards program, versatile redemption options, and comprehensive travel protections, this card is tailored to meet the needs of entrepreneurs who spend extended periods traveling. Below, we explore why this card is a top pick for long-term travelers.

Great For Travel

Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers, earning 3X points on up to $150,000 annually in travel purchases. It offers strong travel coverages and no foreign transaction fees. This card provides robust rewards and protections for a $95 annual fee.

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Generous Rewards on Travel and Business Expenses

The Chase Ink Business Preferred offers a rewarding points structure that aligns perfectly with the spending habits of long-term travelers. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases across key categories: travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. For travelers, the travel category is particularly valuable, covering expenses like airfare, hotels, rental cars, train tickets, and taxis. This broad definition ensures you rack up points on nearly all travel-related purchases, making it easy to accumulate rewards during long-term trips.

Additionally, the card earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases with no cap, providing flexibility for miscellaneous expenses that arise while traveling. For business owners who spend heavily on online advertising or telecom services, the 3x points categories add even more value, allowing you to earn rewards on essential business costs while on the road.

Lucrative Welcome Bonus

New cardholders can jumpstart their rewards with a substantial welcome bonus. By spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, you earn 90,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These points are worth $1,125 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal, offering a strong foundation for funding future trips. For long-term travelers, this bonus can cover flights, accommodations, or other travel expenses, making it a significant perk for getting started with the card. The benefits increase when using a valuable transfer partner like Hyatt.

Flexible Redemption Options for Maximum Value

The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most versatile rewards currencies available. For long-term travelers, the ability to redeem points in multiple ways ensures you can tailor rewards to your travel style. When booking through the Chase Travel portal, points are worth 1.25 cents each, meaning 90,000 points translate to $1,125 in travel value. This is ideal for booking flights, hotels, or car rentals directly through Chase.

For even greater value, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy. This flexibility is a game-changer for long-term travelers, as transferring points to partners can yield higher value for premium travel experiences, such as business-class flights or luxury hotel stays. For example, transferring 120,000 points to Virgin Atlantic could secure a round-trip ANA first-class ticket from the U.S. to Tokyo, a flight that typically costs $21,000, delivering exceptional value.

Comprehensive Travel Protections

Long-term travel comes with uncertainties, and the Chase Ink Business Preferred offers a suite of travel protections to provide peace of mind. These include:

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Reimburses up to $5,000 per person (and $10,000 per trip) for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons like illness or severe weather.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: Covers up to $500 per ticket for expenses like meals and lodging if your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Provides up to $3,000 per person to repair or replace checked or carry-on luggage and its contents.
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses up to $100 per day for five days for essential purchases if your baggage is delayed more than six hours.
• Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Offers primary coverage for theft or collision damage on rental cars (up to $60,000 for vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less) when renting for business purposes, saving you from costly rental agency insurance.

These protections are especially valuable for long-term travelers who face frequent flights, car rentals, and extended stays, ensuring you’re covered for unexpected disruptions.

Cell Phone Protection for Digital Nomads

For long-term travelers who rely on their phones for navigation, communication, or managing their business remotely, the card’s cell phone protection is a standout feature. By paying your monthly cell phone bill with the card, you and your employees listed on the bill are covered for up to $600 per claim (with a $100 deductible) for theft or damage, with a maximum of three claims per 12-month period. This perk is particularly useful for digital nomads who depend on their devices while traveling.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Long-term travelers often visit multiple countries, and the Chase Ink Business Preferred’s lack of foreign transaction fees is a major advantage. Many credit cards charge a 3% fee on international purchases, which can add up quickly during extended travel. With this card, you can use it abroad without worrying about extra costs, making it a reliable option for global adventures.

Additional Perks for Business Owners

Beyond travel-specific benefits, the card offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, which can be useful for travelers purchasing gear or electronics on the go. Purchase protection covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. Extended warranty protection adds an additional year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less, perfect for ensuring your travel essentials are protected.

The ability to add employee cards at no extra cost is another boon for business owners. If you have team members traveling with you or managing expenses, they can earn points on their purchases, which feed into your rewards balance, maximizing your earning potential.

Low Annual Fee for High Value

With a $95 annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Preferred delivers exceptional value compared to other travel rewards cards with higher fees. The welcome bonus alone can offset the fee for multiple years, and the ongoing rewards and protections make it easy to justify keeping the card long-term. For travelers who maximize the 3x points categories and take advantage of transfer partners, the card’s benefits far outweigh the cost.

Qualifying with a Minimal Business Structure

One of the most appealing aspects of the Chase Ink Business Preferred is that you don’t need a large corporation to qualify. Many long-term travelers can apply for this card with a minimal business structure, as Chase has a broad definition of what constitutes a business. If you’re a freelancer, consultant, or small business owner, you likely qualify. This includes side hustles like selling crafts online, offering tutoring services, driving for rideshare platforms, or running a travel blog. Even if your business is a sole proprietorship with no formal registration, you can apply using your own name as the business name and your Social Security Number as the tax ID.

To apply, you’ll need to provide basic information about your business, such as its name, annual revenue, and type of business (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, or partnership). For many travelers, activities like freelance writing, photography, or selling digital products qualify as a business. You don’t need a separate business bank account or a high revenue stream to be approved. Simply describe your business honestly on the application, even if it’s a small-scale operation. For example, if you earn income from a blog or sell handmade goods on platforms like Etsy, this counts as a legitimate business for Chase’s purposes. The key is to demonstrate some form of business activity, no matter how small, to qualify for the card.

This accessibility makes the Chase Ink Business Preferred an excellent option for digital nomads and long-term travelers who may not have a traditional business but still generate income through flexible, travel-friendly ventures. By leveraging these small-scale business activities, you can access the card’s powerful rewards and benefits without needing a complex corporate structure.

Why It’s Ideal for Long-Term Travelers

The Chase Ink Business Preferred is a powerhouse for long-term travelers due to its combination of high earning potential, flexible redemption options, and robust travel protections. Whether you’re booking flights across continents, renting cars for road trips, or staying in hotels for months at a time, the card’s 3x points on travel and ability to transfer points to partners make it a valuable tool for stretching your travel budget. Add in the comprehensive insurance benefits and cell phone protection, and you have a card that not only rewards your spending but also safeguards your journey.

For business owners or side hustlers who travel extensively, this card is a must-have. Its rewards structure aligns with common travel and business expenses, and the lack of foreign transaction fees ensures it’s practical for international use. By leveraging the welcome bonus and ongoing rewards, you can fund significant portions of your travel while enjoying peace of mind with top-tier protections.

If you’re a long-term traveler looking for a card that works as hard as you do, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is an excellent choice. Apply today and start earning rewards that fuel your adventures.