Chase Dining Category Restrictions
It really stinks when you make a purchase fully expecting to get a category bonus for it and then it codes as 1X. This does happen of course and it has to do with the way the processor (Visa or Mastercard) codes the merchant. The truth is though that there are a ton of different codes within a category and credit card issuers decide which ones earn a bonus.
Previously, Chase’s definition of “Dining” on the Sapphire cards was fairly wide. While “Dining” still does include restaurants, fast food, coffee shops and bars, there are a few subcategories that have been eliminated.
According to Dan’s Deals, a Chase rep has confirmed the following via Secure Message:
…as of 8/30/2016 transactions billed as Bakeries, Caterers, & Dairy product stores will no longer qualify as accelerated rewards earnings. This is for all Chase products to remain fair and consistent.
Many bakeries have restaurants, so that is one that will no doubt confuse people. Perhaps the biggest loss though is catering. While I assume most people don’t have catering expenses all too often, I know many businesses often order from caterers as do many people occasionally. Since catering bills can be large, this will hurt some.
Conclusion
I’m not quite sure what motivated this change, but I am guessing Chase saw a lot of larger purchases in these categories which made the bonus spend fall outside of their projected costs. Either way, pay close attention the next time you are swiping a Chase card at a dining establishment, because you might only be earning the dreaded 1X!
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Chase have denied me a bonus in Transportation-fuel category at Giant supermarket gas station saying that transaction got coded as grossery. On the same bill, purchase at ACME supermarket gas station was counted and preoccupied
everyone should just be ready for the continuous chase axe… i am sure everyone already knows this… however, I admit this first axe came way too early. wasnt expecting it.
I wouldn’t think the Dairy category will affect most people, and I can absolutely see why they would take catering off the list. The bakery thing confuses me though, not sure I understand the reasoning behind that one.
Think of all the ridiculous wedding cakes people spend enormous sums of money on in the “bakery” category. It really feels like most of these changes were aimed at people paying for their honeymoon through their wedding spending purchases, although I still don’t get the dairy category.
I can confirm that a Dunkin Donuts charge post 9/1/16 counted as 5X on the Freedom.
What about Dunkin’ Donuts?
It depends on how they code with Visa. You can check the Visa Supplier Locator to see the specific code for a merchant.
my guess is, chase got ticked off when someone put their daughters $75000 wedding caterer on 3x dining
Busch league move, but we will trek on
This is BS. So Panera will be coded as 1X?
No, I have a few Panera charges. All coded at 3X