Chase Instacart Mastercard review: Earn $100 in credit and 5% cash back at Instacart with no annual

Publish date: 2024-07-22
2024-07-23T21:07:02Z JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • Is the Instacart Credit Card the best credit card for you?
  • How to earn rewards
  • How to use Instacart Mastercard rewards 
  • Benefits and features
  • Fees and costs
  • Instacart credit card vs other cash-back grocery credit cards
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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    The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Instacart Mastercard®. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

    The Instacart Mastercard® from Chase is worth considering if you're looking for a grocery credit card and frequently use Instacart. It earns 5% back on Instacart purchases and a welcome offer of a $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval, plus a free year of Instacart+ membership. If you don't spend a lot with Instacart, you'll likely do better with a different cash-back credit card.

    Instacart Mastercard® Chase Instacart Mastercard® Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.05/5 Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection. Perks Info icon Earn 5% cash back on Instacart.com and Instacart app purchases. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased over the phone through the Chase Travel Center, including flights, hotels and more. Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and on select streaming services. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

    Earn 1-5% cash back on purchases.

    Annual Fee

    $0

    Intro APR

    N/A

    Regular APR

    20.24% - 28.99% Variable

    Intro Offer Info icon $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval, plus a free year of Instacart+ membership

    Earn $100 Instacart credit plus a free year of Instacart+ membership

    Recommended Credit

    Good to Excellent

    ProsConsInsider’s Take

    The Instacart Mastercard® from Chase is worth considering if you're looking for a grocery credit card and frequently use Instacart. If you don't spend a lot with Instacart, you'll likely do better with a different cash-back credit card.

    Instacart Mastercard® review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    Instacart Credit Card Overview

    The no-annual-fee Instacart Mastercard® from Chase just launched, and it's a compelling option for those who regularly spend on Instacart. Cardholders can earn unlimited 5% cash back on Instacart purchases and on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ Center, along with 2% back on restaurants, gas, and select streaming, and 1% back on everything else. 

    An Instacart+ membership gets you $0 delivery fees on orders of $35 or more, including reduced service fees.  

    Instacart Mastercard® cardholders receive a decent range of benefits, including car rental insurance, baggage delay and lost luggage insurance, and purchase protection. 

    If you don't use Instacart or if it's not available in your area, the Instacart Mastercard® isn't a good fit. If you're looking to earn rewards on all your grocery spending, a card that includes supermarkets as a bonus category, like the SavorOne Cash Rewards Card (3% cash back on groceries, excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) is a more suitable option. Here's our Capital One SavorOne card review with full details.

    Or, if you use other grocery delivery services and want a card with more benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a good pick. It comes with a welcome bonus offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and earns 3x points on online grocery purchases. You can find out more in our full Chase Sapphire Preferred review

    How to earn rewards with the Instacart credit card

    The Instacart Mastercard® is marketed as a cash-back rewards card, but it actually earns points that are worth 1 cent each (meaning 100 points equals $1). 

    You'll receive unlimited cash back rewards by using the Instacart Mastercard® for your purchases, with no spending caps. Cardholders earn: 

    The bonus on Instacart purchases is a very good deal, and one of the best cash-back rates of any top grocery credit card. You can earn 5% cash back when you use your card at Instacart.com or through the Instacart mobile app (including memberships and subscriptions, but gift cards don't qualify). Keep in mind that you can't earn bonus cash back if you spend directly with Instacart's partner retailers. 

    Instacart is available at more than 800 national, regional, and local brands (such as Wegmans, CVS, Costco, and Target) including over 70,000 stores in 5,500+ cities.  

    You'll also earn 5% back when you use the card to book hotels, flights, rental cars, and more through the Chase Travel℠ Center. But, you can't do this online — you'll have to book by contacting Chase Travel℠ directly at 833-458-0526, or by calling the number on the back of your card. 

    Moreover, cardholders get 2% cash back on select streaming services when they use the Instacart Mastercard®. Keep in mind that it doesn't apply to all streaming services; this only applies to Chase-eligible streaming services as listed below:

    How to use Instacart Mastercard rewards 

    You can redeem rewards from the Instacart Mastercard® in multiple ways, including cash back as either a statement credit or a direct deposit of any amount. You can also use rewards toward travel booked through Chase and other redemptions such as gift cards. 

    Beginning in fall 2022, you'll be able to pay for all (or part) of your delivery orders through the Instacart website or app, with no minimum redemption amount. 

    Chase Instacart credit card benefits and features

    Instacart Credit

    As part of its welcome bonus, the Instacart Mastercard® comes with an Instacart credit and it's a great way to get free or discounted groceries, which is good considering the current rise in prices. You should receive your credits in your Instacart account upon approval for the Instacart Mastercard®, but it could take up to 10 days. You can apply these credits toward any Instacart order in the US (not including alcohol, gift cards, or prescriptions).

    But since your credits can only be used on Instacart, your shopping options are limited. If you're looking to save on purchases outside of Instacart, a cash-back card is more flexible. Plus, you can use cash-back welcome bonus offers on any purchase. 

    Instacart+

    Cardholders receive one free year of Instacart+ when approved for the Instacart Mastercard® (usually $9.99 per month or $99 annually). You'll get free delivery on orders over $35 (from a single retail location) and reduced service fees. 

    If you already pay for Instacart+ or the Instacart+ trial, the free year won't be applied until your membership is eligible for renewal, after which your membership will automatically receive the free year bonus. 

    It's important to be mindful of when your free year of Instacart+ ends as you will instantly be charged the regular yearly membership fee ($99) at the end of the initial free year. If you want to avoid being charged, make sure to mark your calendar so you remember to cancel the service when your free year is up. 

    Auto rental collision damage waiver

    When you decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your Instacart Mastercard®, you can receive coverage for theft and collision damage on most cars in the US and abroad. The coverage you'll receive is secondary, and will only cover the amounts your personal car insurance policy doesn't already cover (if you have one).

    Baggage delay insurance

    If you paid for your trip with the Instacart Mastercard® and your baggage is delayed by the carrier for more than six hours, you can get reimbursed for toiletries, clothes, and other essential purchases for up to $100 a day for three days. 

    Lost luggage insurance

    If you use the Instacart Mastercard® to pay for lost or damaged checked or carry-on luggage, you (or an immediate family member) can be covered for up to $3,000 per account. 

    Purchase protection

    When you use your card to pay for a new eligible purchase, you can receive 120 days of protection against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. 

    Extended warranty protection

    You'll be able to extend an additional year of US manufacturer's warranty on eligible warranties of three years or less when you pay with your Instacart Mastercard®.

    Travel accident insurance

    You become eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage up to $500,000 when you use your card to buy air, bus, train, or cruise transportation.

    Travel and emergency assistance services

    If you run into a problem while traveling, you can contact a travel and emergency assistance hotline for help on legal and medical referrals, or other travel and emergency assistance needs. This service is free but you will be responsible for any third-party costs.

    Roadside Assistance

    You can call the Benefit Administrator to dispatch necessary aid in a roadside emergency. All roadside service fees will then be billed to your card. 

    World Elite Mastercard benefits

    You'll receive additional World Elite Mastercard benefits, which include 24/7 concierge service, access to Mastercard Priceless Experiences, and offers for ride-sharing and online shopping services. 

    Instacart Mastercard fees and costs

    The Instacart Mastercard® has no annual fee and a regular APR of 20.24% - 28.99% Variable. It's also a good card for traveling overseas because it has no foreign transaction fees

    The card also has fees for balance transfers, cash advances and late payments, but no fee on returned checks. 

    Compare the Instacart credit card

     Instacart Mastercard®

    Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

    Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

    Annual fee$0

    $0 (rates and fees)

    $0 intro for the first year, then $95

    Rewards rate

    5% cash back on Instacart purchases at Instacart partnered locations across North America

    5% cash back on travel only purchased through Chase Travel℠ Center

    2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, and select streaming services

    1% cash back on all other purchases

    10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through 11/14/2024

    5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

    3% cash back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), eligible streaming services, and entertainment

    1% cash back on all other purchases

    6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1% back*

    6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions*

    3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit*

    1% back on all other purchases*

    Welcome bonus

    $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval, plus a free year of Instacart+ membership

    $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening

    $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening

    Benefits

    Travel and emergency assistance services

    Purchase protection

    Extended warranty protection

    Auto rental collision damage waiver

    Baggage delay insurance

    Lost luggage insurance

    Roadside assistance

    Travel accident insurance

    World Elite Mastercard Benefits

    No foreign transaction fees

    0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR

    Extended warranty***

    Travel accident insurance***

    Travel assistance services***

    No foreign transaction fees

    0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable

    Car rental loss and damage insurance

    Global assist hotline

    Return protection

    Purchase protection

    Extended warranty

    Access to Amex Offers**

    Review 

    Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card review 

    Amex Blue Cash Preferred card review 

    *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.

    Instacart Mastercard frequently asked questions (FAQ)

    Is the Instacart credit card worth it?  Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    If you already spend big on Instacart, and you're looking to earn rewards on spending categories like groceries, gas, restaurants, and select streaming services, the Instacart Mastercard® will be a worthy addition to your wallet. It has unlimited cash-back opportunities, no annual fee, and a decent number of other benefits included. 

    However, if you rarely use Instacart, subscribe to a different food delivery service, or don't spend much on groceries in general, this card won't benefit you. Another thing to keep in mind is if you're someone looking for cash back on travel bookings, the Instacart Mastercard® is fairly limiting so it's best to look into other cash-back card options.  

    Where can you use the Chase Instacart card?  Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    You can use the Instacart Mastercard® at any Instacart affiliated store brand across more than 800 retail brands, in over 5,500 cities (unlimited 5% cash back). The card can also be used to earn cash back rewards at restaurants, gas stations, and select streaming services (unlimited 2% cash back). You'll also be able to earn cash back on all other purchases (unlimited 1% cash back). 

    What credit score do you need for the Instacart credit card?  Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    You need good credit to qualify for the Instacart Mastercard® (FICO classifies a good credit score to be between 670 to 739). If you have a limited credit history or are currently rebuilding your credit score you'll have difficulty getting approved. 

    If that's the case, you can check out our list of the best starter cards, best cards to build your credit, and read about responsible ways to use your credit.

    Who is eligible for the Instacart credit card?  Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Due to the Chase 5/24 rule, if you've opened five or more credit cards within the last 24 months — this includes Chase cards, as well as cards from other banks — you won't be eligible for the Instacart Mastercard® or other Chase cards. 

    spanTessa Campbell is an investing and retirement reporter on Business Insider’s personal finance desk. Over two years of personal finance reporting, Tessa has built expertise on a range of financial topics, from the best credit cards to the best retirement savings accounts./spanExperiencespanTessa currently reports on all things investing — deep-diving into complex financial topics,  shedding light on lesser-known investment avenues, and uncovering ways readers can work the system to their advantage./spanspan/spanspanAs a personal finance expert in her 20s, Tessa is acutely aware of the impacts time and uncertainty have on your investment decisions. While she curates Business Insider’s guide on the best investment apps, she believes that your financial portfolio does not have to be perfect, it just has to exist. A small investment is better than nothing, and the mistakes you make along the way are a necessary part of the learning process./spanExpertise: spanTessa’s expertise includes:/spanullispanCredit cards/span/lilispanInvesting apps/span/lilispanRetirement savings/span/lilispanCryptocurrency/span/lilispanThe stock market/span/lilispanRetail investing/span/li/ulEducation: spanTessa graduated from Susquehanna University with a creative writing degree and a psychology minor./spanspanWhen she’s not digging into a financial topic, you’ll find Tessa waist-deep in her second cup of coffee. She currently drinks Kitty Town coffee, which blends her love of coffee with her love for her two cats: Keekee and Dumpling. It was a targeted advertisement, and it worked./span Tessa Campbell Investing and Retirement Reporter Tessa Campbell is an investing and retirement reporter on Business Insider’s personal finance desk. Over two years of personal finance reporting, Tessa has built expertise on a range of financial topics, from the best credit cards to the best retirement savings accounts.ExperienceTessa currently reports on all things investing — deep-diving into complex financial topics,  shedding light on lesser-known investment avenues, and uncovering ways readers can work the system to their advantage.As a personal finance expert in her 20s, Tessa is acutely aware of the impacts time and uncertainty have on your investment decisions. While she curates Business Insider’s guide on the best investment apps, she believes that your financial portfolio does not have to be perfect, it just has to exist. A small investment is better than nothing, and the mistakes you make along the way are a necessary part of the learning process.Expertise: Tessa’s expertise includes:Education: Tessa graduated from Susquehanna University with a creative writing degree and a psychology minor.When she’s not digging into a financial topic, you’ll find Tessa waist-deep in her second cup of coffee. She currently drinks Kitty Town coffee, which blends her love of coffee with her love for her two cats: Keekee and Dumpling. It was a targeted advertisement, and it worked. Read more Read less spanAngela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider's a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance"Personal Finance/a division, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice./spanspanThe compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team./span Angela Fung Marketing Compliance Manager Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider's Personal Finance division, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Read more Read less Top Offers From Our Partners Chime® Checking Account Set up Direct Deposit and get your paycheck up to 2 days before your coworkers.** No overdraft fees. No monthly fees. A tooltip Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. **Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Start Banking

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    Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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