Chase and Instacart launch the first credit card for grocery delivery fans
Grocery delivery lovers now have a credit card designed just for them. The first credit card from Instacart is now available. This is a new concept for credit cards and food delivery companies.
Let's take a look at the card's details to see what it offers and help you make an informed decision about whether it deserves a place in your wallet.
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The new Instacart Mastercard® Credit Card
Chase and Instacart have partnered to launch the first-ever credit card from Instacart that will earn cash back in several different bonus categories. The card has no annual fee.
To coincide with the launch, new applicants can receive a $200 Instacart credit and one year of free Instacart+ automatically on account approval. However, this offer is limited to the first 10,000 applicants who get the card before Aug. 4, 2022. After this point, new applicants will receive a $100 Instacart credit and one year of free Instacart+.
Instarcart+ members receive perks like free delivery (subject to order minimums), reduced fees, account credits for pickup orders and other perks.
Related: Complimentary grocery delivery: Get an Instacart+ membership with these eligible Chase credit cards
Cardmembers will earn cash back at the following rates with no earning limits:
- 5% back on Instacart purchases.
- 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal.
- 2% cash back on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and select streaming services.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
These rewards can be redeemed as cash back for a statement credit or direct deposit — with no redemption minimums — or to book travel in the Chase travel portal. In the future, cardmembers also will have the ability to redeem rewards for Instacart orders on the website or in the app.
Other cardmember perks include no foreign transaction fees, World Elite Mastercard benefits, rental car protection, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and other travel-related protections.
Since the Instacart Mastercard is offered by Chase, we assume it will be subject to the 5/24 rule. You can read more details about application rules in our ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions.
The information for the Instacart Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Which cards should you use for online grocery delivery services?
How to maximize your Instacart purchases
Firstly, you can earn 1 mile per dollar spent with Instacart grocery deliveries (excluding taxes, fees and tips) by linking your Delta SkyMiles and Instacart accounts.
Then click through the Rakuten shopping portal to earn 1-2% cash back (or 1-2 American Express Membership Rewards points) on Instacart purchases.
Finally, use an Instacart promo code to save money at checkout.
Bottom line
Whether you should or shouldn't apply for the new Instacart Mastercard will come down to a pair of considerations. First, consider whether you're eligible for this card, based on our list of application rules.
Second, consider whether you already have credit cards that can provide the relevant benefits, including Instacart+ and the rewards to be earned in the bonus earning categories. If the Instacart Mastercard offers benefits you don't currently have, such as waiving your delivery fees on Instacart orders, it can make sense to add to your wallet. However, there are other credit cards that provide better earnings in several of this card's bonus categories.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees