For the last couple of months, I noticed something strange: I wasn’t getting my usual bonus points on phone, internet, and cable purchases with my Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. Normally, these categories earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar, so the drop to a basic 1x had me puzzled—but I chalked it up to a delay in posting or a temporary glitch.
Fast-forward two months, and still no sign of those extra points. So I did what I should have done from the beginning: I opened up my Ultimate Rewards portal and checked the earning breakdown. That’s when I saw it.
Turns out, I had already hit the $25,000 limit on the 5x bonus categories.
But here’s the kicker—I thought that $25,000 cap reset every calendar year.
Nope.
It resets on your account anniversary year.
So because I misunderstood the timing, I kept using the card under the impression I was earning quintuple points, when really, I was just getting 1x like a basic no-frills card. That’s two full months of opportunity lost where I could have been racking up more rewards with a different card.
In case you’re not familiar with how the Ink Business Cash works:
- You earn 5x points on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year on:
- Office supply stores
- Internet, cable and phone services
- After that $25K threshold? It’s back to 1x.
Lesson learned: Always know your card’s earning structure inside and out—especially when it involves spending caps and anniversary years. And don’t assume. Double-check your bonus categories periodically, especially if you’re using the card for recurring monthly charges.
I tell everyone to optimize their spend and know their rewards timelines. But this time? I didn’t take my own advice.
Do as I say, not as I do.
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How Points, Miles, Credit Card Benefits, and Airline Flexibility Can Save You in an Emergency
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