It’s always nice when credit card issuers add perks for cardmembers, without taking anything away. That’s exactly what we’re seeing right now with several Chase products, as cardmembers can now take advantage of an Instacart+ membership, in addition to Instacart statement credits. This is in addition to the recent launch of a co-branded Chase & Instacart credit card.
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What is an Instacart+ membership?
Instacart is a grocery delivery service, and Instacart+ is the premium membership offered by the service. Instacart+ (formerly known as Instacart Express) ordinarily costs $9.99 per month, or you can get a discounted annual membership for $99.
It offers perks like waived delivery fees on most orders of over $35, reduced service fees, 5% back on eligible pickup orders, and more. If you use Instacart with any frequency, then getting an Instacart+ membership is definitely worth it.
Get an Instacart+ membership with Chase cards
You can receive a three to 12 month complimentary Instacart+ membership for having eligible Chase cards. Specifically:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers a one year Instacart+ membership
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) offers a six month Instacart+ membership
- The Chase Freedom FlexSM (review) and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) offer a three month Instacart+ membership
You can enroll at this link, and enrollment is required by July 31, 2024. Even existing Instacart customers can take advantage of this offer, and if you have multiple Chase cards, you can redeem this offer on each of your cards.
Note that your membership will auto-renew at the $99 annual rate, so if you don’t want to renew, you’ll have to cancel your subscription before the complimentary membership ends.
Get Instacart statement credits with Chase cards
Not only are Chase cards offering complimentary Instacart+ memberships, but they’re now also offering Instacart credits. Specifically:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers a $15 monthly credit
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) offers a $15 quarterly credit
- The Chase Freedom FlexSM (review) and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) offer a $10 quarterly credit
When you enroll your card, the credits should automatically post to your Instacart account. As you can see, assuming you use Instacart, this could be anywhere from a $40 to $180 annual value depending on the card that you have.
Bottom line
Chase and Instacart have expanded their partnership, and select cardmembers can now take advantage of an Instacart+ membership, in addition to monthly or quarterly credits with Instacart. While this won’t be for everyone, this should add quite a bit of value for many consumers.
Do you plan on taking advantage of these Chase & Instacart perks?
The Credits post as statement credits and do not show up as credits in the Instacard app or account. From the Instacard website on the enrollment page
Earn statement credits
• $15/month with J.P. Morgan Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve®
• $15/quarter with Sapphire® and Sapphire Preferred®
• $10/quarter with Freedom®, Freedom Flex℠, Freedom Unlimited® and Freedom Student®
First, does the membership and quarterly credits benefit apply to the old Freedom card that isn't open to new applicants? Or only for the ones currently open to sign-ups. If it is, does that mean if I have both the old Freedom and the Sapphire Preferred I could essentially get a 9-month membership and $25 quarterly credit?
Never heard of Instacart?
What’s that?
Also what’s their point of their business model?
I'm not a big fan. To me this feels too much like couponing, similar to what has happened with the Amex Plat. It is annoying to have to monitor and utilize these monthly / quarterly credits to try to get value out of the card. It feels like the opposite of a premium travel experience. I would rather they just give $50 off Instacart once per year than have to go in and use it...
I'm not a big fan. To me this feels too much like couponing, similar to what has happened with the Amex Plat. It is annoying to have to monitor and utilize these monthly / quarterly credits to try to get value out of the card. It feels like the opposite of a premium travel experience. I would rather they just give $50 off Instacart once per year than have to go in and use it every month. The Door Dash credit has similarly changed to become less valuable as it is now doled out monthly instead of once per year. It's annoying and represents the wrong direction for what was supposed to be a premium card with easy to use benefits (i.e., one annual $300 travel credit that can be used for anything).
I see your point, as Amex Plat definitely feels like coupon-ing. I feel that less with Chase because I think I can justify the value without the coupons?
TBH, I don't have either Sapphire card, so not sure what the updated math looks like but I have +5 Chase cards and use the GoPuff $10 off monthly benefit +5x times per month. Helps that I can walk to a GoPuff storefront in lieu of delivery.
The major drawback of Instacart and most other delivery services is the slight markup to all items. Even if you have a free membership, free delivery, no fees, etc you are still paying more than in-store.
I can't activate the $10 credit - it says "Offer cannot be redeemed by customers with an active Chase benefit.".
You said I could activate for each credit card. How?
To be clear, I already activated 12 months through Chase Saphire, but the Freedom offer can't be added. I would have done it in the other order had I known.
How is it a useless perk? You don't need ANYTHING from a store every month? Some locations even offer free in store pickup.
Nope, not when the closest store participant is 32.1 miles away....useless, like I said.
I had taken advantage of the previous 1 year free, when that expired I renewed in May. Clicking the enroll link opened the app and simply added a free year to my renewal. Very simple and well done by chase/Instacart
When I tried to enroll I received the “offer cannot be redeemed by customers with an active Chase benefit”. I am already using the Chase free Instacart Plus but expected to add the $15 monthly credit since I have Reserve card.
Love this perk! Got me to keep my Chase card when I was considering cancelling it.
Once again, another useless perk that's only beneficial to some.
Your comment is contradictory. If it's beneficial to some then it's not a useless perk, is it?
Ok, another useless perk, to me. Feel better?