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How to Get Free Instacart+ with Chase Credit Cards (2026 Guide)
July 1, 2025
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Did you know that if you have the right Chase credit card in your wallet, you could be getting free grocery delivery plus up to $240 per year in Instacart credits? Yet according to Kudos data, the average cardholder leaves $624 worth of credit card benefits unused annually — and Instacart+ is one of the most commonly overlooked perks.
If you're spending $3,000+ per year on groceries (which is less than $250/month for a household), this hidden benefit could transform how you shop while putting hundreds back in your pocket. Here's everything you need to know.
What's New in 2026
The Chase x Instacart partnership officially launched May 1, 2025 and runs through December 31, 2027 — so there's still plenty of time to activate if you haven't yet. Here's what's changed and what to know heading into 2026:
- Expanded eligible card list. The program now covers a wide range of Chase co-branded cards across hotel, airline, and retail partners — including Disney Visa cards and additional IHG and Marriott tiers added since launch.
- Mastercard stacking opportunity. A separate Mastercard small business promotion now offers an additional $20/month off your second Instacart order through January 2027 — and it stacks on top of the Chase benefit for eligible cardholders.
- United card benefits confirmed. United Explorer and Quest cardholders also have Instacart+ benefits, with their own monthly credit structure separate from the co-brand benefit.
- Credits still don't roll over. Unused monthly credits expire at the end of each calendar month — same as launch. Don't let them lapse.
Bottom Line Up Front
Chase cardholders with eligible business or co-branded cards can unlock up to $240 in annual Instacart credits plus a complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership (worth $25). The benefit is valid through December 31, 2027, and takes just 5 minutes to activate — yet most cardholders don't even know it exists.
Complete Eligible Card List & Benefits Comparison
This is the full list of Chase cards that qualify — the Kudos blog originally covered only a subset. Here's the complete breakdown:
Ink Business Cards — $20/Month Credit
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Chase Co-Branded Cards — $10/Month Credit
Eligible Cards:
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- Aeroplan® Card
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card
- British Airways Visa Signature® Card
- Iberia Visa Signature® Credit Card
- Disney® Visa® Card
- Disney® Premier Visa® Card
Activation URL for all co-branded cards: instacart.com/p/chase-cobrands
United Cards — Separate Benefit Structure
United MileagePlus credit cards have their own Instacart+ benefit, separate from the co-brand program above:
Activation URL: instacart.com/p/chase-united
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Bonus: The Instacart Mastercard® by Chase
There's also a dedicated Instacart Mastercard® co-issued by Chase — separate from the co-branded benefit above. It earns:
- 5% cash back on Instacart purchases (first $6,000 annually, then 1%)
- 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases
- $50 Instacart credit automatically upon approval
- Free Instacart+ membership for new cardholders
Best for: Dedicated Instacart power users who want to maximize every order with cash back on top of free delivery.
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What You Get with Every Tier: Bonus Perks Included
When you activate your free Instacart+ membership, you also get:
✅ Free Peacock Premium (worth $79.99/year)
✅ New York Times Cooking subscription (worth $40/year)
✅ $0 delivery fees on orders $10+ (normally $3.99–$5.99 per order)
✅ 5% discount on all pickup orders — savings without delivery
✅ Reduced service fees on every order
✅ Priority support from Instacart
✅ Family account sharing — add household members to share carts and benefits
Real-World Math: If you order groceries twice per week and save just $5 in delivery fees per order, that's $520 in annual savings before counting your monthly credits.
The Break-Even Analysis: Is It Worth It?
For Cards with $20/Month Credit (Ink Business Cards)
- Monthly requirement: Spend $20+ on Instacart using your eligible Chase card
- Annual break-even: Just $240 in Instacart purchases (~$20/month)
- Verdict: If you shop online even twice a month, you'll easily pocket the full $240 in annual credits.
For Cards with $10/Month Credit (Co-Branded Cards)
- Monthly requirement: Spend $10+ on Instacart using your eligible Chase card
- Annual break-even: $120 in purchases
- Verdict: Even occasional users (1–2 orders per month) benefit significantly.
Step-by-Step: How to Activate Your Free Instacart+ Membership
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Check if you hold one of the eligible Chase cards in the tables above. If you have multiple eligible cards, you can activate the benefit on each one.
Step 2: Visit the Correct Activation Page
Different card families use different URLs — this matters:
- Ink Business cards: instacart.com/p/chase-ink
- Co-branded cards (hotel, airline): instacart.com/p/chase-cobrands
- United cards: instacart.com/p/chase-united
Step 3: Sign In or Create an Instacart Account
Use your existing Instacart account or create a new one. You can activate this benefit even if you previously had Instacart+ or are currently on a trial.
Step 4: Add Your Eligible Chase Card
When prompted, add your eligible Chase credit card as your payment method. This card must be used for purchases to receive the monthly credits.
Step 5: Activate the Benefit
Complete enrollment. Your 3-month complimentary membership begins immediately.
Step 6: Set a Calendar Reminder
After 3 months, your membership auto-renews at $99/year unless you cancel. Set a reminder 2 weeks before your trial ends. Since monthly credits ($120–$240/year) far exceed the $99 renewal cost, most users find it worth keeping.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Credits
💡 Tip #1: Stack Credits Across Multiple Eligible Cards
If you hold multiple eligible Chase cards, you receive separate credits from each. This is where the real savings compound.
Upgraded Points reported one household with 7 Chase cards stacking credits across all of them. The more eligible cards in your wallet, the more you can offset your grocery bill.
⚠️ Important: Each monthly credit only applies to purchases of $10 or more made with that specific card on a separate order.
💡 Tip #2: Stack with the Mastercard Small Business Promotion
If you hold an eligible small business Mastercard (separate from Chase), there's an additional offer running through January 2027: $20 off your second monthly Instacart order when enrolled. This stacks with the Chase monthly credit — meaning some cardholders are getting $30–$40 off per month across two promotions on the same account.
💡 Tip #3: Use Pickup Orders for 5% Back — No Delivery Required
You don't need to get groceries delivered to benefit from Instacart+. Pickup orders get 5% off eligible orders — which adds up significantly at stores like Costco ($35 minimum), Kroger, and others.
💡 Tip #4: Credits Don't Roll Over — Set Monthly Reminders
Your credits expire at the end of each calendar month. Set a recurring phone reminder for the last week of each month to use any remaining balance before it disappears.
💡 Tip #5: Track Credit Usage with Kudos
Use Kudos' Hidden Perks feature to track which credits you've used each month and ensure you're never leaving money on the table across all your Chase cards.
Who Should Get a Chase Card for This Benefit?
✅ Best Fit If You:
- Are an existing Chase cardholder with an eligible card already in your wallet — activation is free and takes 5 minutes
- Use Instacart at least once a month — the monthly credits are pure savings on behavior you already have
- Are a small business owner — the Ink Business cards offer the highest credits ($20/month) with no annual fee
- Travel regularly — hotel and airline co-branded cards let you stack Instacart savings on top of travel rewards
- Have a household with multiple Chase cards — stacking credits across cards multiplies the benefit significantly
⚠️ Less Ideal If You:
- Never shop online for groceries and have no interest in delivery or pickup
- Live in a rural area without Instacart coverage — check availability at your ZIP code first
- Are only considering a Chase card for this benefit and won't use the card's primary rewards
The Hidden Opportunity Cost: What You're Leaving Behind
Let's make the math real. If you hold a World of Hyatt® Credit Card and haven't activated Instacart+, here's what you're losing annually:
Time to activate: 5 minutes.
Important Terms & Limitations
- Expiration: Benefits valid through December 31, 2027. Activate before this date.
- Auto-renewal: After 3 months, Instacart+ auto-renews at $99/year. Cancel anytime before the paid term starts to avoid charges.
- Credit rules: One credit per month per eligible card. Requires a minimum $10 purchase from one retailer using your eligible card. Credits expire at month end — no rollover.
- Restaurant orders excluded: Credits cannot be applied to Instacart orders powered by Uber Eats, alcohol, gift cards, or prescriptions.
- Multiple cards: Each card's benefit must be activated separately. Use the specific card that earned the credit when making the qualifying purchase.
- Primary cardmember only: Each eligible card can only be enrolled once, by the primary cardholder.
- Cancellation: Cancel within 5 days of the paid membership start date without placing any orders for a full refund.
Final Verdict: A Hidden Gem Worth Claiming in 2026
The Chase x Instacart partnership is one of the most underused credit card perks in 2026. With up to $240 in annual credits, a complimentary Instacart+ membership, free Peacock Premium, and serious stacking potential across multiple cards, the total value easily exceeds $500/year for most households — often much more.
The numbers at a glance:
The best part: this isn't a limited-time promotion. It's valid through at least December 31, 2027 — giving you nearly two more years to extract value.
Bottom line: If you have an eligible Chase card sitting in your wallet, activate this benefit today. Every month you delay is another $10–$20 in expired credits you can't get back.
Use Kudos to track your monthly credits, discover other hidden perks across all your cards, and make sure the right card is always in hand at checkout.
Sign up free with code GET20 and earn $20 back after your first eligible Kudos Boost purchase of $30 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple Chase cards to get multiple Instacart credits?
Yes. If you hold multiple eligible Chase cards, you receive separate monthly credits from each — and each requires a minimum $10 purchase with that specific card. Households with 3+ eligible cards can stack credits for $30–$40+ off per month.
Do I need to keep my Chase card active to maintain the monthly credits?
Yes. Your eligible Chase card must remain open and in good standing. Closing the card removes access to the benefit and any unused credits.
Can I share my Instacart+ membership with family members?
Yes. Instacart+ supports family account sharing. Members can share carts and benefits — but monthly credits are tied to purchases made with your specific eligible Chase card.
What happens if I don't use my monthly credit?
Monthly credits expire at the end of each calendar month and do not roll over. Set a recurring reminder for the last week of each month to use them.
Does the 3-month free trial start immediately upon activation?
Yes. Your complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership begins on the activation date and auto-converts to a paid annual subscription at $99/year unless canceled beforehand.
Can I cancel Instacart+ after the free 3 months?
Yes, anytime. However, your monthly credits only apply while you have an active Instacart+ membership. Since the annual credits ($120–$240/year) exceed the $99 renewal cost, most users keep it.
I already have Instacart+. Can I still get this benefit?
Yes. Existing Instacart+ subscribers can still activate the Chase benefit and receive monthly credits. Your existing subscription will be paused for the complimentary term and resume upon expiration.
What purchases qualify for the monthly credits?
Any Instacart purchase of $10 or more from one retailer, paid with your eligible Chase card — including groceries, convenience items, and retail products. Credits cannot be applied to restaurant orders (Uber Eats-powered), alcohol, gift cards, or prescriptions.
Is the Instacart benefit available for Chase Freedom cards?
The current 2025–2027 program is specific to the co-branded and Ink Business cards listed above. Earlier Freedom card promotions (quarterly credits) were separate programs that have since ended or changed. Check Chase's website for current Freedom card benefit terms.
How does Kudos help me maximize this benefit?
Kudos automatically tracks all your credit card perks including Instacart+ credits, reminds you about unused monthly credits, and recommends which card to use at checkout to maximize rewards. It's free to use — and Kudos users find an average of $624 in unused card benefits annually.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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