As the travel rewards space continues to change, Chase has quietly reaffirmed that its popular Pay Yourself Back feature will be available in 2026. Although the program has certainly changed since its inception, it still provides a lot of value, especially if you understand where and how to use it.

Originally launched during the peak of global travel shutdowns, Pay Yourself Back has evolved into a rotating redemption option that is linked to certain spending categories. For the first quarter of 2026, Chase has updated the list of eligible categories and bonus rates, offering cardholders new ways to maximize their Ultimate Rewards points.

This guide walks you through all the information you need to know: the current bonus categories, the differences for each card, the charities you can choose from, the time frames for expiration, and tips on how to determine if Pay Yourself Back is worth it for you this year.

A Quick Refresher: What Is Chase Pay Yourself Back?

Pay Yourself Back enables Chase credit cardholders to redeem Ultimate Rewards points for statement credits on eligible purchases rather than redeeming points for travel. Unlike a standard cash redemption, where points are normally worth 1 cent per point, Pay Yourself Back may increase the value of points by 10% to 50%, depending on the card and category.

In other words, it allows you to “wipe away” eligible charges from your account using points at a higher-than-normal rate.

Whereas the program originally included a broad spectrum of everyday purchases, Chase now cycles through categories on a quarterly basis. This makes it less predictable, but still very useful when utilized in a strategic manner.

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Important Dates to Remember for Early 2026

Before we get into the card-specific rewards, timing is important. The majority of bonus categories expire on March 31, 2026, for Q1 2026, while charity redemptions go much further out.

• Gas, gym memberships, and redemption of annual fees: expires March 31, 2026
• Charity redemptions: available through December 31, 2026

It is important to monitor your Ultimate Rewards account on a regular basis, as categories and bonus rates are subject to change without much notice.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: The Best Pay Yourself Back Offer in 2026

If you are a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you continue to enjoy the best Pay Yourself Back rewards this year.

Bonus Categories for Sapphire Reserve Cardholders

Until the end of March 2026, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem points for statement credits at a rate of 1.25 cents per point in the following categories:

• Gas station purchases
• Fitness clubs and gym memberships
• Sapphire Reserve annual fee

This is an increase of 25% above the cash redemption rate.

Redemptions for Charity Add Even More Value

The best part of Sapphire Reserve membership continues to be charitable giving. When redeeming points for certain nonprofit organizations, your points are worth 1.5 cents each, which is a 50% bonus. Such redemptions are valid all the way until December 31, 2026, which makes them the most valuable non-travel redemption of Ultimate Rewards points this year.

For cardholders who are already regular donors, this is one of the easiest ways to maximize point value without having to book a single flight or hotel stay.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Low Bonuses, Still Worth a Look

The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not provide the same valuable redemptions as the Reserve, although it still provides limited Pay Yourself Back bonuses in 2026.

Current Pay Yourself Back Promotions

Based on what is currently available in the Ultimate Rewards portal, Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn:

• 10% bonus on fitness clubs and gym memberships
• 10% bonus when redeeming points for the annual membership fee
• 25% bonus on selected charity donations

This means that the cardholder can get approximately 1.10 cents per point when redeeming points for gym memberships and annual fees, as well as 1.25 cents per point for eligible charitable donations.

Although these rates are not revolutionary, they do beat the 1 cent per point cash back reward that is the norm.

Eligible Charities for Pay Yourself Back in 2026

Chase has a particular set of nonprofit organizations that it partners with for Pay Yourself Back redemptions. Contributions to these organizations qualify for bonus point values.

Some of the eligible charities include:

• American Red Cross
• American Heart Association
• Feeding America
• Habitat for Humanity
• Make-A-Wish
• UNICEF USA
• United Way
• World Central Kitchen
• NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
• International Rescue Committee

The complete list is available right through the Ultimate Rewards website, and it is subject to change.

Why Pay Yourself Back Still Matters in 2026

Although the program is not as extensive as it used to be, Pay Yourself Back remains an important part of the Chase experience.

A Flexible Backup to Travel Redemptions

Travel transfer rewards often offer the greatest theoretical value for Ultimate Rewards points but they aren’t always the most convenient option. If you don’t have travel plans on the horizon, award availability is subpar, or you simply want to pay yourself back now, Pay Yourself Back is there to fill the void.

Better Than Cash Back

Anything above 1 cent per point is obviously better than cashing out. Spending points at 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point can help you save money on things you were going to pay for anyway.

Simple and Low-Stress

There are no blackout dates, no award charts, and no transfer partners. If simplicity is important to you, this is a tough feature to beat.

How to Use Chase Pay Yourself Back Step by Step

The process of redeeming points using Pay Yourself Back is very simple:

1. Log into your Chase account through the mobile app or desktop site
2. Click on the Ultimate Rewards section
3. Choose Pay Yourself Back
4. Evaluate qualified purchases within the past 90 days
5. Select the transactions to offset with points
6. Confirm, and the statement credit is applied automatically

Credits usually appear shortly after redemption, lowering your account balance.

Should You Use Pay Yourself Back or Save Points for Travel?

It ultimately depends on your personal goals.

• If you are targeting high-end travel and have flexibility, transferring points to airline or hotel partners could still offer greater value.

• If you want predictable and immediate savings or if you have unused points, then Pay Yourself Back is an efficient and practical option.

Many astute cardholders have found a balance between transferring points for high-value redemption rewards and using Pay Yourself Back for everyday savings.

Final Takeaway:

Chase Pay Yourself Back in 2026: It’s no longer the “go-to” feature it once was, but it still has its uses. The biggest benefit is still for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, especially when donating to charity. Sapphire Preferred cardholders receive small rewards, while Freedom and Ink cardholders receive rewards from charitable donations.

The trick is awareness. By reviewing categories on a quarterly basis and redeeming points based on your existing spending patterns, you can still get real value out of your Ultimate Rewards points without ever needing a boarding pass.