Chase makes the good cards. You know this. The value is there, the perks are real, and the points fly into that Ultimate Rewards bucket like there’s no tomorrow. But here is the thing people trip on. You don’t need an LLC. You don’t need a C-Corp. You can just be you. A sole proprietor. It sounds underwhelming, I know. It actually works.
And right now? The welcome offers are insane. Maybe the best in recent memory. Waiting feels stupid.
Link: Learn more about the Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred, Ink Business Cash, or Ink Business Unlimited.
The Cards You Actually Want
Let’s skip the fluff. Chase has four big guns for earning Ultimate Rewards. Know the differences, because picking the wrong one means paying annual fees for nothing.
The Sapphire Reserve for Business costs $795. That’s a lot of cash up front. You get lounge access, travel credits, and a rewards structure that makes frequent travelers weep with joy. Is it worth it? Only if you use it.
The Ink Business Preferred is the workhorse. $95 a year. Huge bonus points. Cell phone protection. Rental car coverage. It covers all the bases without the headache. Most people start here.
The Ink Business Cash has no fee. None. Zero. You get 5x on the first $25k of spend in specific categories like shipping and gas. It racks up points fast if your side hustle burns money on those things.
The Ink Business Unlimited is the other no-fee option. Flat rewards everywhere. It’s simpler than the Cash card but lacks those explosive bonus categories. Good for general chaos spending.
Can you hold both the Reserve and the Preferred? Yes. They don’t care. They want your business. But be careful. You cannot hold the Ink Cash and the Ink Unlimited for the sign-up bonus simultaneously. Chase knows when you’re trying to game the system.
This logic applies beyond Chase, too. Southwest, Hyatt, IHG. If it’s a business card, the solo operator rule usually stands.
How to Fill Out the App
Here is the part that freezes people up. The application form asks for business info. You stare at it. You wonder if you should make up a company name.
Do not make it up.
Keep it real. Here is exactly how I filled mine out when I was just me, working from my couch.
- Legal business structure : Pick “Sole Proprietorship”. It is the option right there. Use it.
- Legal business name : Just put your name. First, Last. It is legal.
- Tax ID type : Choose “Social Security Number”. Do not go digging for an EIN you do not have. Just put yours.
- Employees : Select “1”. You are the boss. And the janitor.
- Business phone : Use your cell number if that is how people call you. It is fine.
- Date established & Revenue : Be honest. If you started three months ago, say three months ago. If you made $5,000, put $5,000.
- Category : Pick the closest match. Are you a writer? Consultant? Airbnb host? Pick it.
Remember the 5/24 rule. If you opened five new credit cards in the last two years, Chase says no. Personal cards count. Business cards do not. So yes, sometimes applying for the business card first makes strategic sense. Not always enforced, but smart.
Will You Actually Get Approved?
Should you lie? No. Don’t lie. But also don’t underestimate yourself.
You do not need to run a Fortune 500 company to get approved. Chase does not audit your P&L statements like a SEC investigator. Plenty of solo operators with low revenue get approved daily.
That said, do you have a new side hustle with zero dollars in revenue?
Your odds are lower.
Credit is a game of history and trust. The more you have, the better it looks. If your credit score is solid, you have a fighting chance even with a brand-new entity. The upside is huge points. The downside? A temporary ding in your credit score from the inquiry. That is it. Most people recover those five points in a week.
Denial feels bad, but it isn’t catastrophic. Especially compared to the potential reward of a 50k point sign-up bonus.
Use your head. Check your score. Apply.
The Takeaway
The portfolio is strong. The Sapphire, the Ink cards—they are tier-one products. People assume you need a corporation. They assume you need legal counsel. They are wrong.
You can just start. As a sole proprietor. Fill in your name. Use your SSN. Send it in.
It is intimidating the first time. Always. But the acceptance rate for small-time operators is shockingly high. Give it a shot. You might just be pleasantly surprised. Or maybe not. Either way, you now know the game.
