What just changed — and why it matters now
Rakuten quietly flipped a switch this morning: as of August 20, 2026, new applications started through Rakuten for Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited now show a $100 portal bonus — and it’s the first time Ink Cash has ever appeared with a Rakuten incentive. Freedom Unlimited is currently $25 via Rakuten. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/))
That may sound small next to today’s headline-grabbing card bonuses, but it stacks on top of Chase’s public welcome offers. Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited are each running 100,000-point (i.e., $1,000 cash back) welcome offers after $8,000 in spend within four months; the Rakuten cash/points is in addition to that. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/cash?utm_source=openai))
How Rakuten’s card bonuses work — and where they’ve been
Rakuten is best known as a shopping portal, but on-and-off since 2025 it’s also paid a flat portal bonus when you apply for select Chase cards through its link and are approved. The amounts have fluctuated wildly — from $300 on certain days to as low as $25 — with Freedom Unlimited bouncing between tiers and Ink Unlimited previously sitting at $100. Today’s update adds Ink Cash to the $100 tier for the first time, while Freedom Unlimited currently shows $25. Portal payouts can and do change without notice. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/))
Two important fine-print items from prior Rakuten promos still guide expectations: (1) the portal bonus is provided by Rakuten, not Chase; (2) terms have included “Only one cash back bonus per Rakuten member account,” which DoC interpreted as one per specific card offer rather than unlimited repeats. Don’t try to stack a Rakuten bonus with a Chase refer‑a‑friend link — past data points indicate that doesn’t work for these promos. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/faq-on-the-300-rakuten-bonus-chase-sapphire-preferred-ink-freedom/))
A practical stacking game plan (with real numbers)
If you’re eyeing a no‑annual‑fee business card, here’s the cleanest sequence:
1) Start at Rakuten and click through to apply for Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited. Keep the card open for at least three months if terms mirror prior versions. Take screenshots in case you need to file a missing-cashback claim. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/faq-on-the-300-rakuten-bonus-chase-sapphire-preferred-ink-freedom/))
2) Complete the Chase welcome offer. On either Ink card, that’s 100,000 Ultimate Rewards after $8,000 in four months — worth $1,000 as straight cash back, before you even consider travel redemptions. Add Rakuten’s $100 and your new‑account haul is effectively $1,100 on $8,000 in spend. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/cash?utm_source=openai))
3) Choose the Ink that fits your spend. Ink Business Cash earns 5x on internet, phone, cable, and office supply purchases (up to $25,000 per year), plus 2x at gas stations and restaurants. Ink Business Unlimited earns a simple 1.5x everywhere. If your business has recurring telecom and office expenses, Cash can outpace Unlimited by a wide margin — but if your spend is broad and uncapped, Unlimited’s 1.5x “set‑and‑forget” may be the easier win. ([chase.com](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/chase-cards/chase-Ink-rewards-categories-guide?utm_source=openai))
What about Freedom Unlimited at $25? The portal kicker is modest right now. If you want a personal card first, the public Freedom Unlimited offer remains $200 after $500 in three months — you’ll typically earn more value focusing on that welcome offer than timing the Rakuten $25. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/unlimited?utm_source=openai))
Timing tips, eligibility, and common pitfalls
- Don’t mix links. Using a friend’s Chase referral usually disqualifies the Rakuten payout; pick one path. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/faq-on-the-300-rakuten-bonus-chase-sapphire-preferred-ink-freedom/))
- One Rakuten account, one bonus per promo. Historically, Rakuten’s terms have limited each account to a single portal bonus per eligible offer. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/faq-on-the-300-rakuten-bonus-chase-sapphire-preferred-ink-freedom/))
- Track like a pro. Rakuten bonuses often show as “Pending” within days of approval, then move to “Confirmed” later. Screenshots of your click‑through and approval help if you need support. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/faq-on-the-300-rakuten-bonus-chase-sapphire-preferred-ink-freedom/))
- Mind Chase rules. While business‑card rules vary, Chase’s public pages confirm the current 100k Ink offers; always check the issuer page on the day you apply to verify terms or end dates. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards?utm_source=openai))
Who should apply — and for which card
- Choose Ink Business Cash if you can funnel at least $500 a month across internet/phone/cable/office supply — that 5x up to $25,000/year is the engine. Layer the current 100k welcome ($1,000) plus Rakuten’s $100 for a compelling first‑year haul with no annual fee. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/cash?utm_source=openai))
- Choose Ink Business Unlimited if your spend is diversified or you value simplicity. At 1.5x everywhere, it’s easy to hit the $8,000 requirement organically while still collecting the same 100k welcome plus Rakuten’s $100. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards?utm_source=openai))
- Consider Freedom Unlimited if you’re building a personal‑card foundation and can meet the $500/3‑month threshold quickly for the $200 credit. Today’s Rakuten add is only $25 for this card — useful, but not the headline. ([creditcards.chase.com](https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/unlimited?utm_source=openai))
Make the strategy effortless with SuperPay
This is where SuperPay does the heavy lifting after approval. Use Rewards Roadmap (PRO+) to model whether Ink Cash’s 5x cap or Unlimited’s 1.5x everywhere generates more value based on your actual transaction history. It builds a month‑by‑month plan to hit the $8,000 requirement with routine bills — no spreadsheet needed.
Then let Smart Card Picker tell you which card to use at checkout. Buying printer toner at an office superstore? You’ll get a real‑time nudge to swipe Ink Cash for 5x. Paying a vendor that doesn’t fit a bonus category? SuperPay steers you to Ink Unlimited’s 1.5x instead. After that, Spending Reports quantify exactly how much extra you earned from the new card in the first 90 days.
Your next move
If this update fits your plan, apply through Rakuten for the extra $100 on Ink Cash or Ink Unlimited, complete the Chase welcome, and plug the card into SuperPay to automate the rest. Download SuperPay on the App Store and start optimizing your rewards today.