Chase announced new Pay Yourself Back categories

Last year, Chase launched Pay Yourself Back, a feature that allowed cardholders to redeem rewards for statement credits in eligible categories. It’s safe to assume that the response to the offer has been positive because Chase has since repeatedly extended and expanded the feature.

“Pay Yourself Back is intended to be an ongoing redemption option within Ultimate Rewards to give cardmembers another choice in how they can redeem, with categories and redemption values that will continue to evolve over time,” a Chase spokesperson said.

Most recently, the issuer updated Pay Yourself Back categories on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card and extended categories on its business cards.

How Pay Yourself Back is changing

Initially, Chase offered Pay Yourself Back on the Sapphire cards, allowing cardholders to redeem their points for statement credits toward purchases at grocery stores, home improvement stores and restaurants. This redemption option provided a great point value – Sapphire Reserve cardmembers’ points have been worth 50% more, and Sapphire Preferred points have been worth 25% more.

Recently, the issuer has extended the offer and updated qualifying categories. Now, Sapphire cardholders can redeem their points with Pay Yourself Back for statement credits toward Airbnb and Away purchases through March 31, 2021. Reserve cardholders can also continue to use the dining category through March next year, but both cards are losing groceries and home improvement categories.

Through Dec. 31, 2021, small-business owners with the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or the Chase Ink Business Plus® can continue to use Pay Yourself Back to redeem points on shipping, internet, cable and phone services. New categories on these cards will include advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. With any of these redemption options, points will be worth 25% more.

Those with the Chase Ink Cash®, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card can also redeem points worth 10% more on internet, cable and phone services through the end of 2021.

Finally, Sapphire and Ink cardmembers, as well as Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom cardholders, can continue to redeem rewards for eligible donations at a 25% higher value through Dec. 31. 2021.

Here are some of the charities included on Pay Yourself Back:

• American Red Cross
• Equal Justice Initiative
• Feeding America
• Habitat for Humanity
• International Medical Corp.
• Leadership Education Fund
• NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
• National Urban League
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• United Negro College Fund
• United Way
• World Central Kitchen

See related: How to donate unused rewards miles and points

Should you use Pay Yourself Back?

Pay Yourself Back adds flexibility to your Ultimate Rewards points redemption. While redeeming for travel has always been the best option in terms of value, having an alternative can prove very useful.

Dining remains a lucrative Pay Yourself Back category for Reserve cardholders, but many Preferred users may find it difficult to take advantage of such niche categories as Airbnb and Away. On the other hand, small-business owners with Ink cards can find excellent value in the current Pay Yourself Back categories.

See related: How to earn and use Ultimate Rewards points

The opportunity to redeem for charitable contributions is also an excellent addition, especially as the world is recovering after the pandemic. Many loyalty programs and credit cards allow you to donate unused points and miles but at a lower redemption rate. The added 25% value that Pay Yourself Back provides can help you contribute more – making your Ultimate Rewards work for a good cause.

Overall, this is an exciting extension of a useful feature, and we look forward to seeing how it will continue to evolve in the future.