Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card vs Ink Business Preferred®

Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card
VS
Ink Business Preferred®
The short answer: The Ink Business Preferred® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if you spend more on office supplies, everything else.

Side-by-side comparison

Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited CardInk Business Preferred®
Annual fee$295$95
Welcome offer$1,500 cash back100,000 Ultimate Rewards® Points
Advertising2%3%
Shipping2%3%
Office supplies2%1%
Phone & internet2%3%
Travel2%3%
Everything else2%1%
Est. yearly rewards*$900$846
Points typeCash back onlyTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkAmexVisa

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year in rewards and the Ink Business Preferred® about $846, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card charges $295, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Ink Business Preferred® charges $95, but carries about $10 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Ink Business Preferred® delivers more total value, about $151 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on advertising and travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Ink Business Preferred® earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card pays plain cash back. Favor the Ink Business Preferred® if you will use travel transfers, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if your spending leans toward office supplies, everything else. Pick the Ink Business Preferred® if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, phone & internet.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card or the Ink Business Preferred® better?
On typical business spending, the Ink Business Preferred® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $151 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card and the Ink Business Preferred®?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card or the Ink Business Preferred®?
As of June 2026, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card offers $1,500 cash back and the Ink Business Preferred® offers 100,000 Ultimate Rewards® Points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.