Disclosure: awardtrail earns revenue through display advertising and may earn commissions on some links at no cost to you. Commercial relationships never influence our editorial content or recommendations. Full disclosure →
Heads up, awardtrail readers! Word on the street (from Dansdeals, via bank sources) is that Chase – and possibly other banks – might soon stop letting you apply for business credit cards using just your Social Security Number (SSN). They seem to prefer applications that also include a Tax ID number (EIN).
Why does this matter to you? Well, if you've been eyeing those sweet Chase Ink bonuses (like the currently boosted 90,000 points on the Ink Cash and Unlimited!), now might be the time to pounce. This change could push more folks to get an EIN for their business, even if they're just starting out or operating as a sole proprietor. Getting an EIN from the IRS is free, but remember that forming an LLC with your state will likely involve annual filing fees. So if you’ve been putting off that Ink application, now is a great time to apply while you can still use just your SSN.
Why This Matters for Your Strategy
News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.
As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.
Explore Related Tools
- 🎯 Sign-Up Bonus Tracker
Track your MSR progress and deadlines
- 💳 Benefit & Credit Tracker
See which card credits you haven't used yet
- 🔢 Chase 5/24 Calculator
Know exactly when slots open up
- ❓ Rewards FAQ
Answers to the most common questions
More Recent News



October 8, 2026, 9:16 PM


Comments (0)
Community Discussion
Sign in to share your experiences and insights with fellow award travelers.

