Chase is bringing back a promotion they offered earlier this year, but this time it’s not as lucrative as before. To counter the decreased usefulness of its Sapphire travel cards during the global shutdown, Chase offered a limited time bonus for spending at supermarkets. From May 1 to June 30, Preferred cardholders were able to earn 3X and Reserve cardholders earned 5X on these expenses. Since many people weren’t leaving their houses much and were eating more at home, this was a great way to earn Ultimate Rewards.
Once that offer was finished, other cards, like the Southwest co-brand cards, offered bonus points at supermarkets.
With travel still at a fraction of previous levels, I’m sure Chase is noticing a decrease in spending on the Sapphire cards. In response, they’re bringing back the supermarket bonus category. Unfortunately, it’s not as lucrative as before.
Chase Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardholders will earn 3x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, including pickup and eligible grocery store delivery services.
Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders will earn 2x points with the same terms as above.
There’s no activation required; all cardholders will receive this benefit.
While I’m excited to see the Sapphire cards get supermarkets back as a bonus category, it’s not going to get me to change my spending patterns. That’s because I’m already earning more points on the same expenses with another Chase card. I just signed up for Chase Freedom Unlimited and earn 5x points on up to $12,000 that I spend at supermarkets during the first year.
The same supermarket bonus is available for those applying for the Freedom Flex instead of the Freedom Unlimited.
If there was such an award, I would vote for Supermarkets as the “Most Improved Credit Card Bonus Category Of 2020!”
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
3 comments
Bloggers keep posting stories lately about cards that offer bonuses for spending on “groceries”. I don’t think this is intentional clickbait but it draws out all sorts of comments from inexperienced folks asking if it works at Walmart, etc. Please just say at “grocery stores” or at “supermarkets”.
I do agree with your analysis on this bonus. If Chase really wants to bump up spending like this they need to include all big box stores like they did with the Freedom 4th quarter bonus recently.
Point taken.
If I’m using the grocery purchase to count towards my $300 travel credit am I still earning points?