Editorial take: Chase Ink Business Unlimited
The business version of Freedom Unlimited. Flat 1.5% on every business expense with no annual fee, perfect catch-all for anything that doesn't fit a bonus category.
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Side-by-side
Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs Mastercard Gold Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited comes from Chase at $0/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Chase Ink Business Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($750 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Gold Card's. Get the Chase Ink Business Unlimited first; revisit the Mastercard Gold Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chase Ink Business Unlimited | Mastercard Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $1199 |
| Sign-up bonus | $750 bonus cash back | No public welcome offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $750 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $6,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Barclays (Luxury Card) |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Other) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
$0/yr · $750 bonus cash back
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer
Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card
The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Ink Business Unlimited or Mastercard Gold Card?
- The Chase Ink Business Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $750 bonus cash back, worth roughly $750, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Gold Card.
- Is the Chase Ink Business Unlimited's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold Card?
- The Chase Ink Business Unlimited has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Mastercard Gold Card's $1199 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Mastercard Gold Card's benefits to clear $1199 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited.
- Can I have both the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Mastercard Gold Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Barclays (Luxury Card)) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Chase Ink Business Unlimited or the Mastercard Gold Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Ink Business Unlimited: $6,000 spend in 3 months. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.