Chase Pay Yourself Back: Complete Guide to Maximizing Value

Current Pay Yourself Back Categories (2025)

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Categories change periodically and vary by card. Here's the current breakdown:

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Select Charities (Most Cards)

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All eligible Chase cards can redeem at enhanced rates for these organizations:

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• American Red Cross

• Equal Justice Initiative

• Feeding America

• Habitat for Humanity

• NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund

• United Way

• World Central Kitchen

• UNICEF USA

• And 9 additional charitable organizations

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Redemption rates:

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 1.5 cents per point

• Most other cards: 1.25 cents per point

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Everyday Spending (Sapphire Reserve Only)

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Through December 31, 2025, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can redeem at 1.25 cents per point for:

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• Gas stations

• Grocery stores (excludes Target and Walmart on some cards)

• Department stores

• Annual card membership fee

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Aeroplan Card Special Categories

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The Aeroplan® Credit Card offers the most diverse Pay Yourself Back options at varying rates:

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Travel (1.25¢/point):

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• Hotels, flights, rental cars

• Air Canada Vacation packages

• Annual limit: 200,000 points

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Everyday categories (0.8¢/point):

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• Dining and grocery stores (ongoing, no expiration)

• Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market (Oct-Dec 2025)

• Select department stores, utilities, home improvement, gas stations (through Dec 31, 2025)

How to Use Pay Yourself Back

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Using the feature is simple, but timing matters. Follow these steps:

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Step 1: Make Eligible Purchases

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Use your eligible Chase card for purchases in qualifying categories. Remember: you have 90 days from when the transaction posts to redeem points against it.

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Step 2: Log Into Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Visit the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or use the Chase mobile app. If you have multiple Chase cards, select the one you want to redeem from.

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Step 3: Navigate to Pay Yourself Back

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Click "Pay Yourself Back" from the dropdown menu. Chase will automatically display eligible transactions from the past 90 days.

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Step 4: Select Transactions

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Review the list and check the boxes next to transactions you want to offset. The interface shows how many days remain to redeem for each purchase—prioritize older transactions first.

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Step 5: Choose Redemption Amount

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For each selected transaction, you can:

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• Apply the full purchase amount

• Redeem for a partial amount

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The page displays your total statement credit, savings compared to standard redemption, points being redeemed, and remaining balance.

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Step 6: Confirm and Submit

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Review your selections and click "Confirm & Submit." Statement credits post within 3 business days and appear on your next billing statement.

When Pay Yourself Back Makes Sense

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Pay Yourself Back isn't always the best redemption option. Here's when it shines—and when you should consider alternatives.

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Use Pay Yourself Back When:

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• You don't have travel plans. If you're not booking flights or hotels soon, Pay Yourself Back prevents points from sitting idle while offering better value than cash back.

• You need to offset specific expenses. Got a large utility bill or annual fee? Redeeming at 1.25-1.5 cents per point effectively gives you a discount on these purchases.

• Categories align with your spending. If you're a Sapphire Reserve holder who spends heavily on gas and groceries, Pay Yourself Back offers consistent 1.25¢/point value.

• You want to donate to charity. Redeeming for charitable donations at enhanced rates means both you and the organization benefit.

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Skip Pay Yourself Back When:

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• You can transfer to travel partners. Transferring Ultimate Rewards to partners like Hyatt, United, or Southwest often yields 1.5-2+ cents per point in value when booking award travel.

• You're booking through Chase Travel. Sapphire Reserve holders get 1.5 cents per point through Chase Travel℠, matching or exceeding Pay Yourself Back rates.

• You need maximum flexibility. Cash back at 1 cent per point gives you unrestricted use, though at lower value.

• Categories don't match your spending. If none of the eligible categories align with your expenses, you're better off saving points for other redemptions.

Maximizing Value: Advanced Strategies

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Smart Chase cardholders combine cards and redemption options to extract maximum value from Ultimate Rewards points.

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Strategy 1: Pool Points from Multiple Cards

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If you have both a Chase Freedom card (earning 5x in rotating categories) and a Sapphire Reserve (offering premium redemption rates), transfer Freedom points to your Reserve to access better Pay Yourself Back categories.

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Example:

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• Earn 7,500 points with Freedom Flex (5x on $1,500 grocery spending)

• Transfer points to Sapphire Reserve

• Redeem against grocery purchases at 1.25¢/point

• Value: $93.75 (vs. $75 cash back)

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Strategy 2: Time Your Redemptions

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Since you have 90 days to redeem, wait until you have enough eligible transactions to make redemption worthwhile. Redeeming small amounts frequently means more time managing accounts.

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Strategy 3: Mix Redemption Methods

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Don't feel obligated to use only Pay Yourself Back. Redeem some points for travel (higher value), some for Pay Yourself Back (moderate value), and keep some as cash back (maximum flexibility).

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Strategy 4: Use Annual Fee Credits Wisely

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Redeeming for your annual fee at 1.25 cents per point effectively gives you a 25% discount. For a $95 Sapphire Preferred fee, that's only 7,600 points instead of 9,500 at standard rates.

Common Questions About Pay Yourself Back

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Can I use Pay Yourself Back for any purchase?

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No, only purchases in eligible categories qualify. Eligible categories vary by card and change periodically. Check your Chase account for current options.

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How long do I have to redeem points against a purchase?

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Yes, you have exactly 90 days from when a transaction posts to your account. After 90 days, that purchase is no longer eligible for Pay Yourself Back redemption.

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Can I redeem points for part of a purchase?

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Yes, you can redeem for the full purchase amount or any dollar value you choose (subject to having sufficient points). This flexibility allows you to preserve points for future use.

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Does Pay Yourself Back work with transferred points?

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Yes, if you transfer Ultimate Rewards points between Chase accounts (like from a Freedom to a Sapphire card), those points become eligible for the receiving card's Pay Yourself Back options. The Aeroplan® Credit Card also accepts points transferred from other banks.

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Will redemption rates or categories change?

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Yes, Chase updates Pay Yourself Back categories and expiration dates periodically. Current categories are valid through December 31, 2025, though they may be extended. Always check the most recent terms in your Chase account.

Is Pay Yourself Back Worth It?

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Chase Pay Yourself Back delivers solid value when used strategically. While it won't always match the redemption value of transferring points to airline partners or booking premium travel, it offers a practical middle ground for everyday spending.

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The sweet spot: Sapphire Reserve holders who spend in eligible categories (gas, groceries) can consistently extract 1.25 cents per point—25% more than cash back—without the complexity of award travel booking.

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The bottom line: Pay Yourself Back works best as part of a diversified redemption strategy. Use it for qualifying everyday purchases, transfer points for high-value travel redemptions, and keep some points as cash back for maximum flexibility.

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Before redeeming, always compare your options. A quick calculation of points needed versus value received ensures you're making the smartest choice for your specific situation.

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^{The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, categories and terms may have changed.}