My Ongoing Disappointment with Chase Offers

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One of the golden rules when earning miles and points is to maximize every purchase. That could mean using a shopping portal (online or in-store), buying gift cards at supermarkets or office supply stores that earn bonus points, enrolling with a dining rewards program, or using a program like MileagePlus X.

Another solid way to earn extra rewards is by taking advantage of bank-issued spending offers, which give you cashback or bonus points for shopping at specific merchants. American Express leads the pack here with AMEX Offers, which routinely deliver significant value—on everything from hotel stays to retail purchases.

So, it was only a matter of time before other banks jumped on the bandwagon. Enter:

Chase Offers

Really original name there, Chase.

The Basics of Chase Offers

If you’re a Chase cardholder, you’ve probably noticed these in your online account or mobile app. Chase Offers give a little cashback when you spend at certain merchants using a linked Chase card. Simple enough in theory—but the real-world value often leaves much to be desired.

• Offers vary by card. You might see different ones across your Chase cards—or none at all.
• They’re usually single-use. And you might not hit the full cashback cap unless your spending lines up perfectly.
• Clicking on the offer adds it to your card automatically. Not ideal if you’re browsing.

But the biggest drawback? The cashback caps are usually very low.

Exhibit A: Shake Shack – 10% Back, Up to $3

This is a current offer on my Sapphire Reserve card. You’ll get 10% back, up to a $3 maximum. That means unless your order is between $20 and $30, you’re not even hitting the cap.

I’ve seen nearly identical offers in the past for Panera, Jersey Mike’s, and Subway. All come with similarly unimpressive limits. It’s not enough to make me pull out a specific card for a sandwich.

Exhibit B: Brightline – 5% Back, Up to $7.50

This one’s actually more useful—especially if you’re booking a ride with Florida’s Brightline train. But even here, the cap is $7.50, and you only get the benefit on one transaction if $80 or more.

It’s one of the better Chase Offers I’ve seen lately, but still not enough to influence where or how I book travel.

Exhibit C: Entertainment – 25% Back, Up to $12.50

This one looks more generous on the surface. Chase is offering 25% cashback (up to $12.50) on your first payment of an Entertainment membership. (Yes, the Entertainment Card still exists.)

Here’s the breakdown:

• The annual plan ($34.99) gets you $8.75 back.
• The monthly plan ($4.99) gets you $1.25.

It’s technically a higher-value offer, but again—it’s only for your first payment and feels more like a push to get you to subscribe than a real bonus.

Why Chase Offers Don’t Change My Strategy

Free money is free money, and I’m not saying these offers are useless. If you’re already going to Shake Shack or Brightline, it’s nice to get a few dollars back. But in terms of influencing which card I use or where I spend? Chase Offers don’t move the needle.

Compared to AMEX Offers—which often stack with portals and provide serious rebates on hotels, airfare, or big-box retailers—Chase’s promos feel like filler. They’re fine if they align with your plans, but they’re rarely worth going out of your way for.

Final Thoughts

I still glance at my Chase Offers occasionally—usually while paying my statement. And every now and then, I’ll activate one. But as far as loyalty-driving programs go, this one doesn’t make the cut.

If you’re looking to maximize your points or cashback, your best bet is still:

• Using the right card for bonus categories
• Shopping through portals
• Buying gift cards in the right places
• Stacking with high-value offers from AMEX, Citi, or Capital One

Chase Offers are… fine. Just don’t expect them to supercharge your strategy.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary