Many limited-time Chase card perks for groceries and more extend into 2021
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Throughout the pandemic in 2020, Chase added a number of temporary and long-term benefits to help cardholders continue to maximize purchases and card benefits through dramatically shifting spending habits and priorities. Now that 2021 has arrived and some pandemic-era benefits have ended on some cards, it can be hard to keep track of what's still available. So, consider this your handy reminder of limited-time perks still available on a couple of our favorite Chase credit cards in 2021.
Earn bonus points on groceries until April 2021
The good news is that Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders will earn 3x on up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases, while Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders will earn 2x on up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases through April 30, 2021.
The temporary grocery bonus category is a solid addition to both cards' lineups. You'll earn a 6% return on groceries with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and a 4% return with the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the next several months, according to TPG valuations.
Related: The latest credit card benefit changes you need to know about
This isn't the first time Chase has added a temporary bonus around grocery spending, but we are excited that this particular benefit is lasting into 2021. I know I've certainly been spending more on groceries in recent months, and I imagine that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Expanded use of Sapphire Reserve travel credit
Another reminder is that Chase has also extended the expanded categories that trigger the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $300 credit.
Cardholders will be able to use their annual statement on not only travel charges, but also on gas and grocery purchases through June 30, 2021. And the extra good news is that the delivery service Instacart codes as groceries on the card.
Should you use your Chase Sapphire cards for grocery store purchases?
If you don't have another card that earns on groceries, the extended temporary grocery bonus category on the Chase Sapphire cards should definitely be utilized to its full capacity.
The American Express® Gold Card still reigns as the best card for groceries, since it earns an impressive 4x points on the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (after that, 1x). This is an 8% return based on TPG valuations. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is also a worthy contender for your grocery spending, as it earns 6% on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year; then 1%. (Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.) This is on-par with the Chase Sapphire Reserve's return and more valuable than the Chase Sapphire Preferred's.
However, those who have the Chase Sapphire Reserve should seriously consider using the card on groceries to earn the $300 credit while it's available with the expanded benefit through June 30, 2021. And those who have neither the Amex Gold nor Blue Cash Preferred will certainly be able to use this benefit to get a great value on grocery shopping.
Related: Best cards for groceries
Redeeming points at an increased rate also extended
A final reminder is that until April 30, 2021, you can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points at an increased rate via the Pay Yourself Back feature towards grocery stores, dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), home improvement stores and select charitable organizations at the same rate as using them to book travel through Chase Travel.
For Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, that means the ability to redeem points at a rate of 1.5 cents each toward grocery, dining and other eligible expenses made on the card in the last 90 days. For example, the $242.06 grocery charge shown below could be offset with a statement credit of the same amount by redeeming 16,137 Ultimate Rewards points.
That may not be as exciting as redeeming the points for a flight or hotel stay -- but it's still very rewarding and relevant in these current times.
Bottom line
While these limited-time promotions won't fix the wanderlust many of us may be experiencing almost a year into this pandemic, they are great at keeping these Chase cards relevant and valuable in our wallets.
If you don't already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, it's currently offering 80,000-point bonus after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Additional reporting by Summer Hull