It’s nice to know people at Chase are reading this blog and making changes accordingly. Yesterday I wrote about a confusing email from Chase regarding the ability to earn 3X Ultimate Rewards points from Apple Pay purchases. The email confused me because it only reminded me that I could earn 3X points on travel and dining purchases.
At the end yesterday’s post I mentioned that Chase should just award extra points on all Apple Pay purchases. While I’m only kidding that my post had any influence on decisions at Chase, I’m happy to report that’s exactly what Chase did today.
Earn An Extra Ultimate Reward Point On All Apple Pay Purchases
Today Chase sent Sapphire credit card customers another message regarding Apple Pay. This time, the email informed customers that they could earn an extra ultimate reward point on all Apple Pay purchases. The offer is valid for the first $1,500 of Apple Pay purchases from October 4, 2017 through November 4, 2017. Currently, the offer is only valid for Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire card holders.
Chase Sapphire Reserve customers now have the ability to earn 2X points on everyday purchases and 4X purchases on travel and dining. Chase Sapphire Preferred customers can earn 2X points on everyday purchases and 3X points on travel and dining. Lastly, Chase Sapphire (no annual fee) card holders can earn 2X points on everyday purchases and 3X points on dining.
How To Set Up Apple Pay
The only way to earn extra Ultimate Rewards points with this offer is by using Apple Pay. You must add your Chase Sapphire credit card to your Apple Pay account and then use Apple Pay to pay for purchases.
Setting up Apple Pay is fairly easy if you haven’t done so already. First, on your iPhone, launch the Wallet app. Once open, click the option to add a new card to your mobile wallet. At this point you can either scan your credit card or type the information in manually. You’ll receive an activation email once the information is entered and the card added. Upon receipt of your confirmation email your card is ready to use with Apple Pay.
Once the card is ready to use you can either use Apple Pay to pay at physical point of sale readers or on websites/mobile apps. Uber for example gives riders the options to “pay with Apple Pay” which means you’re paying with whatever your default apple pay card is. If paying at a physical reader you must hold your mobile device up to the NFC reader to pay.
Final Thoughts
Taking advantage of this offer is fairly straightforward, but not necessarily easy. The offer is only valid for 30 days and maxes out at $1,500. To get the maximum value from this offer you’d need to spend the full $1,500 on travel and dining Apple Pay purchases. That sounds relatively straightforward, but I don’t know many restaurants that allow apple pay. I think the best way to maximize this offer is to purchase a flight through an airlines mobile app.
For example, you can purchase flights directly from the United Mobile app and select Apple Pay as a payment option. If I had any plans of future travel (2017 and beyond) I’d book those flights ASAP. Flights to Europe are currently quite inexpensive, but I’ve been holding off buying them. Now might just be the perfect time to pre-pay up to $1,500 of future flights and use Apple Pay when booking. Keep in mind however, that you could of course still use an Amex Platinum card and earn 5X points. So if you choose to maximize this offer and carry both cards, you’re actually loosing a few points in the process.
For more information, please visit the official Chase Apple Pay promotional page.
