Chase Pay Yourself Back Categories
Happy First of July, everyone! I say this since today is probably a bigger day for points and travel hobbyists than Independence Day – in terms of related news and chores, at least. Today, certain cards’ biannual, quarterly, and monthly benefits reset, 5x categories on a plethora of cards refresh, etc. Unsurprisingly, one area I’ve anticipated more than perhaps any other is the fate of Chase Pay Yourself Back categories. We’re here now, and it’s mostly good news. But one glaring area stands out to me.
Note: Chase offers Pay Yourself Back categories on a variety of cards. Historically, the more noteworthy categories are generally on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, so I’m primarily focusing there today. For a full list of cards participating in Pay Yourself Back this quarter, check out DDG’s post.
Q3 2025 Chase Pay Yourself Back Categories
Just a reminder – Chase’s Pay Yourself Back benefit allows some cardholders to redeem Ultimate Rewards points and certain airline miles/hotel points to erase selected transactions via statement credits. Chase Pay Yourself Back categories are subject to change each quarter, and I’ve questioned the future of the program before. But we heard rumblings recently that it would continue, and we now officially know the details. Let’s take a look at the Chase Pay Yourself Back categories for Q3 2025 on both versions of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem points for statement credits for 25% extra value (1.25 cents per point) in the following categories through 30 Sep 2025:
- Grocery Stores (excluding Target and Walmart)
- Gas Stations
- Home Improvement Stores
- Annual Membership Fee (Unlike the other categories this one doesn’t specifically mention any deadline.)
Reserve cardholders can redeem points for statement credits with 50% extra value in this category. Like the annual membership fee category, Chase doesn’t mention any deadline for this redemption:
- Select Charities
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders can redeem points for statement credits for 25% extra value (1.25 cents per point) in the following categories through 30 Sep 2025:
- Select Charities
My Take
First off, I’m happy that the Pay Yourself Back benefit is officially continuing. I’ve cashed out Ultimate Rewards points for many years, and this benefit has brought even more value to how I was already redeeming. Even better, Chase continues Q2’s most useful categories into this one and adds another option quite useful for many. While plenty prefer redeeming their Ultimate Rewards points on travel-related redemptions for higher value in their situations, others have zero need or want there. Pay Yourself Back can come in quite handy for the latter.
The huge weakness I currently see is that the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business only offers one category, and it’s at an inferior rate to the personal card. Plus, Chase only offers 18 participating charitable organizations. Granted, plenty of worthy causes are involved here, but it would be nice to have a wider (or unrestricted!) selection. Longer term, I hope Chase introduces other PYB options for this business card. But right now, it’s clearly lacking.
Conclusion
Many years ago, I picked up a Chase Sapphire Reserve without a signup bonus for one primary reason – Pay Yourself Back. A couple weeks ago, Chase officially refreshed the Reserve to a point where I would’ve confidently kept the card without PYB. Chase continuing with this useful benefit makes my decision to hold a Reserve even more of a no-brainer. Meanwhile, CSR Business cardholders must be happy with their welcome offer bonus points and/or other benefits. Indeed, Chase has shrewdly designed each card.
I and many others have valid reasons to stick with the personal Reserve over the business version for its superior Pay Yourself Back options. But the Business card is undoubtedly the optimal fit for many. Which did you pick, and how did you choose?
Why so happy to get 1.25 cent of value per point? Very lame! I get 5-8 cents on international business class and easy to get 2-3 cents just transferring to Hyatt. Are you that broke you have to use points at a sub optimal level for living expenses? That is why I have my stock portfolio. Doing what you do is just weak and pathetic!