Chase
Instacart Mastercard
Earn 5% cash back on Instacart purchases and 2% at restaurants and gas stations with no annual fee.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
5x online shopping
Welcome bonus
$50
Quick look
Instacart Rewards
5% cash back on Instacart shopping
3.9
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Regular Instacart shoppers (especially those interested in the Instacart+ subscription) who want to maximize rewards on grocery delivery orders without paying an annual fee.
The verdict
The Instacart Mastercard is a straightforward card: if you shop Instacart regularly, the 5% cash back and instant $50 credit make it worth a wallet slot. If you don't, skip it. The $6,000 annual cap on the 5% rate means even frequent Instacart users will earn just 1% on orders above that threshold, and the 2% rates on dining and gas don't set it apart from the field. The bigger problem is that this card is essentially single-category: remove Instacart from the picture, and you're looking at a generic 1-2% earner that loses to half the no-fee cards in the catalog.
Where it shines is simplicity and the value of free Instacart+ for a year—that alone justifies applying if you're on the fence about the subscription. But it's not a card that works for everyone.
Pros
- 5% cash back on qualifying Instacart purchases (first $6,000 annually) plus free Instacart+ for one year makes it compelling for regular users
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees—clean fee structure
- Instant $50 Instacart credit upon approval with no minimum spend requirement
- Chase Travel purchases earn 5%, useful for those booking flights and hotels through Chase
Cons
- The $6,000 annual cap on 5% rewards means frequent Instacart shoppers hit the 1% base rate partway through the year
- Ranks poorly on dining (32nd), gas (17th), and everything else (33rd)—weak secondary categories
- APR of 19.49% to 28.24% is steep compared to peers; requires good-to-excellent credit (around 700+)
- No introductory APR offer, unlike Chase Freedom Flex and other no-fee competitors
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Online shopping | 5x | 5% cash back on qualifying Instacart purchases on first $6,000 spent annually |
| Flights | 5x | 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases |
| Dining & restaurants | 2x | 2% cash back at restaurants |
| Gas & EV charging | 2x | 2% cash back at gas stations |
| Streaming | 2x | 2% cash back on select streaming services |
| Everything else | 1x | 1% cash back on all other purchases |
The card's appeal lives almost entirely in its Instacart rate. At 5% on the first $6,000, it ranks 4th in the online shopping category, but only because most cards earn much less on Instacart specifically—most no-fee cards earn 1-2% at online retailers. Once you hit $6,000 annually in Instacart purchases, you're back to 1%, which is uncompetitive. The 5% on Chase Travel is solid, but it's a niche benefit: you must book through Chase's portal, and other cards (United Explorer at 9%, Chase Sapphire Reserve at 10%) beat it significantly. The 2% on dining and gas puts this card in the lower-middle tier of the catalog—17th on gas, 32nd on dining. You're better off with a dedicated gas card (Citi Custom Cash at 5%) or dining card if either is your priority.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
At $0, this card wins on fee structure. Pair that with no foreign transaction fees, and you've got a genuinely clean fee situation. The average World Elite Mastercard benefit package (purchase protection, extended warranties, trip insurance) is included, though these are table stakes at this tier. The high APR (19.49%-28.24%) matters if you carry a balance, but for a rewards-focused shopper, it shouldn't come into play.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
The instant $50 Instacart credit is more valuable than a traditional bonus requiring spending because there's no minimum—you get it upon approval. The addition of one free year of Instacart+ (normally $99) is a genuine perk if you were considering the subscription anyway. Combined, that's roughly $149 in value. It's solid but not game-changing. Chase Freedom Flex offers $200 after $500 spend, and Capital One Venture X (fee-based) offers much larger bonuses. For a no-fee card, this ranks in the middle of the pack.
Similar cards
Same issuer (Chase), no annual fee, and similar structure—but Prime Visa focuses on Amazon instead. If you shop both platforms frequently, one card covers your online retail, the other your groceries.
Also from Chase with no annual fee, but Freedom Flex rotates categories (5% changes quarterly) and offers a bigger sign-up bonus ($200). Better if you want flexibility; Instacart card is stronger only if Instacart is your primary spend.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after I spend $6,000 on Instacart in a year?
You drop to 1% cash back on Instacart purchases for the remainder of that calendar year. The 5% resets on January 1st. If you're a heavy Instacart shopper (spending more than $6,000 annually), this cap is a real limitation—you'll earn significantly less than a card that offers a consistent 5% or higher with no cap.
Is the Instacart+ subscription really worth $99?
Instacart+ costs $99 annually and waives delivery fees on orders over $35. If you place orders at least weekly and regularly buy below that threshold, it pays for itself quickly. The free year gets you in the habit; you can decide at year-end whether to keep paying. For light users, you'll probably let it lapse.
How does this card compare to the Chase Freedom Flex?
Freedom Flex has higher sign-up bonus ($200 vs. $50 instant) and rotates 5% categories quarterly—one quarter might be groceries, another might be gas. Instacart Mastercard locks in 5% on Instacart year-round. If Instacart is your primary spend and you want simplicity, this card wins. If you want flexibility and don't specifically use Instacart, Freedom Flex is the stronger choice.
Do I need a good credit score to get approved?
Yes. Third-party reviews indicate this card is designed for applicants with good-to-excellent credit (around 700+ score). If your score is lower, you may not be approved or may receive a less favorable APR.
Can I use this card internationally?
Yes, and without foreign transaction fees—that's a plus. However, the card's rewards structure doesn't include bonus categories for travel-specific spending like airfare or hotels (those earn 1%). If international travel is a major expense category for you, a dedicated travel card with higher bonuses might be better.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 11, 2026