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Lots of people are either canceling or downgrading their travel credit cards these days because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re planning to do it too, you better keep your travel credit cards for a while because the new Chase coronavirus categories have just been announced.
The updated bonus categories would revolve around groceries, restaurants, and food delivery. It’s a result of the people adapting to a different lifestyle which is prioritizing basic needs.
The changes are temporary but Chase realized that it’ necessary. Well, let’s cut the chase and discuss these updates.
Please note as of January 2021 most of this information is now outdated or the offers have expired but we’ve kept this article up for educational, historical and research purposes.
Chase Coronavirus Updates
Chase knows that most of its cardholders are now spending more on basic needs, which is why it updated its line up of rewards credit cards to have additional bonus categories on grocery purchases and grocery delivery services.
Bonus Categories
Eligible Chase credit cards and co-branded cards can now earn 3x or 5x points per $1 spent on groceries.
This means that it’s not just the Chase Freedom Flex that will earn 5% cashback (5x points) per $1, but also the top-tier cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
However, there is also a spending cap of up to $1,500 per month and the validity period of the new categories is from May 1 up to June 30 for the 2020 calendar year.
Read More: Chase Sapphire Preferred Review + Perks
Marriott also brought in some good news to its cardholders. Starting from May 1 – July 31, all its Chase-issued co-branded cards will be earning 6x points on grocery items with a spending cap of up to $5,000 per month. The Amex-issued cards will also earn the same points but the spending cap is up to $7,500 per month.
What’s great about the new Chase coronavirus categories is that they include Walmart and Target.
Chase is being generous enough to make these companies eligible, provided that the stores you go to do have a grocery section.
Eligible Cards
The list below includes all of the eligible Chase credit cards that will earn 5x or 3x points per $1. Take note that the $1,500 spending cap applies to the cards separately, so you can earn more points per month if you own multiple cards.
For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn 12,000 Ultimate Rewards points per month.
Read More: 5 Frequently Asked Questions About The Chase 5/24 Rule
Gift Card Sale
Aside from the new bonus categories, Chase also released a gift card sale for all Ultimate Rewards Members. The gift cards offered are mostly for food, toiletries, clothing, and other basic needs.
Take note that some of the gift cards are only available for specific credit cards. The sale will run through the whole month of May but due to the limited quantities available, some gift cards may be pulled out earlier.
Thoughts From Points Panda
Travel perks are going to be put on hold, for now, to prevent the virus from spreading. With the pandemic affecting people’s spending habits, it’s not just the Chase coronavirus categories that are going to be around. Expect more rewards credit cards have new bonus categories too.
Sure, the credit card game isn’t going to be the same for the next few months but it will still be there. It will just change and try to adapt. If you need credit card assistance, you can sign up for our travel concierge.
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