Rumors are swirling after Chase Ink Plus cardholders received an email suggesting the end of 5x points at office supply stores—a benefit that has made the card legendary for years. If true, this change could hit small business owners and points optimizers hard, as the 5x category is a key driver of Ultimate Rewards earnings.
Our Take
Bad news for small business maximizers. If Chase really axes 5x at office supply stores, this would be a historic devaluation for one of the most lucrative bonus categories in the credit card world. For those who leverage this perk for gift cards, reselling, or heavy business supply spend, the math is brutal: losing 3 extra points per dollar means giving up ~$61.50 in value for every $1,000 spent (using our 2.05¢/point valuation).
What Changed
- Email sent to some Chase Ink Plus cardholders suggests 5x earning at office supply stores may be ending
- No official update on Chase's website as of June 25, 2026
- 5x earning at office supply stores has been a signature benefit for years
- Possible error or early notice—unclear if/when change takes effect
Who Benefits Most
- Current Ink Plus holders with large office supply spend: If you can max out the $50,000 annual 5x cap before any change, that's 250,000 points—worth ~$5,125 at our valuation.
- Gift card resellers: Those buying third-party gift cards at office supply stores can still rack up outsized rewards if the benefit remains for even a few more weeks.
- Small business owners with recurring supply needs: $10,000/year in office supply spend at 5x = 50,000 points (~$1,025 value).
- Points optimizers with multiple Ink products: If you have both Ink Plus and Ink Cash, you might still be able to spread spend across cards if only one loses the benefit.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Anyone planning large future office supply purchases: If the 5x is pulled, $10,000 in spend drops from ~$1,025 in value to just ~$205 (at 1x).
- New applicants: The Ink Plus is no longer available for new signups, so you can't get this benefit if you don't already have the card.
- Those relying on manufactured spend: If you use the 5x category for gift card churning, this could end a major earning strategy overnight.
What To Do Right Now
- Max out your 5x spend ASAP: If you have the Ink Plus, consider accelerating office supply purchases or gift card buys before any official change.
- Check your email and Chase account for updates: Look for official communication from Chase about changes to your card's earning structure.
- Review other Ink cards: The Chase Ink Business Cash still offers 5x at office supply stores (up to $25,000/year)—for now.
- Consider alternate cards: If you need to shift spend, cards like Chase Ink Business Preferred offer strong bonuses in other business categories.
- Stay tuned: Follow CreditPoints.cash and sources like Miles to Memories for breaking updates.
