Chase cards work at most places that take Visa or Mastercard, but some companies offer extra rewards or perks when you use them

Chase credit cards are accepted anywhere that displays the Visa or Mastercard logo — which covers the vast majority of retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and online merchants in the United States. The card network itself (Visa or Mastercard) determines acceptance, not Chase the bank. However, certain companies have partnered with Chase to offer bonus rewards, discounts, or special benefits when you use a Chase card with their logo on it.

The difference matters because a bonus at a partner company can be worth significantly more than your standard rewards rate. For example, using a co-branded Chase card at that specific retailer might earn 5% cash back instead of 1%, or it might waive a fee you'd normally pay. These partnerships are the main reason to care which company's card you're holding — not because the card won't work elsewhere, but because it works better in certain places.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase cards with Visa or Mastercard logos work at any merchant that accepts those networks, which includes nearly all U.S. retailers and online stores.
  • Co-branded Chase cards (like those with airline or hotel logos) offer bonus rewards or perks specifically at those partner companies, even though the card works everywhere.
  • The most common Chase partnerships are with airlines (United, Southwest), hotels (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG), and retailers (Amazon, Sapphire Reserve dining partners).
  • Bonus rewards at partner companies typically range from 3% to 5% cash back or points, compared to 1% to 2% at non-partner merchants.

Major airline and hotel partnerships with Chase cards

Chase's largest partnerships are with travel companies. The United Club Infinite Card and United Explorer Card earn bonus points on United Airlines purchases and offer benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. The Southwest Rapid Rewards cards (Premier, Plus, and Performance) earn points on Southwest flights and purchases, plus companion pass opportunities. The IHG One Rewards cards earn bonus points at InterContinental Hotels Group properties (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Kimpton). The Marriott Bonvoy cards earn points at Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties.

These partnerships mean the card issuer (Chase) and the travel company (United, Southwest, Marriott, IHG) have agreed to give cardholders extra value when they book directly with that company. You still earn rewards on other purchases with the card, but the bonus rate applies only at the partner. The card also typically includes perks like free night certificates, lounge access, or elite status boosts that non-cardholders don't receive.

Retail and dining partnerships

Chase's most visible retail partnership is with Amazon through the Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card, which earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods Market transactions (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after). This card requires an Amazon Prime membership and is issued directly by Chase in partnership with Amazon.

For dining, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards don't have a single restaurant partner, but they offer 3x points on dining at any restaurant, plus additional benefits through the Sapphire concierge service. Some Chase business cards partner with specific vendors — for example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred earns bonus points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus shipping with UPS and FedEx.

How to find which companies offer bonus rewards with your Chase card

The easiest way is to check your card's benefits guide, which Chase sends with your card or makes available in the Chase mobile app under "Benefits" or "Offers." This document lists all partner merchants and their bonus rates. You can also log into your Chase account online, go to your card details, and look for a section called "Offers" or "Shopping Rewards" — this shows current promotions and partner bonuses.

Chase also publishes a list of dining partners for premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve through the card's website or the Chase app. For co-branded cards (airline, hotel, retail), the partner company's website will confirm which Chase card earns bonus rewards there. For example, United.com lists which Chase cards earn bonus miles on United bookings, and Marriott.com does the same for Marriott properties.

What happens if you use a Chase card at a non-partner merchant

Your card still works. The transaction processes through the Visa or Mastercard network, and you earn whatever your card's base rewards rate is — typically 1% to 2% cash back or points on all purchases. You simply don't earn the bonus rate that partner merchants offer. For example, if you use the Amazon Prime Rewards card at Target, you earn 1% cash back instead of 5%, because Target is not a partner.

This is why many people carry more than one Chase card: a co-branded card for frequent purchases at that partner (airline, hotel, or retailer), and a general-purpose card like the Sapphire Preferred for everything else. The general-purpose card often has a higher base rate (2% to 3%) to make up for the lack of partner bonuses.

Business cards and their partner networks

Chase business cards have their own partner networks, separate from consumer cards. The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3x points on internet, cable, phone, and shipping with UPS and FedEx, plus 2x points on the first $25,000 spent on these categories per year. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited earns 1.5x points on all purchases with no category limits. Business cards typically have fewer co-branded partnerships than consumer cards, but they often have broader category bonuses instead.

If you're a business owner, check whether your vendors (software providers, shipping companies, office suppliers) fall into bonus categories on your business card. Many small business owners find that the category bonuses on a business card matter more than a single co-branded partnership.

Why Chase partnerships matter for your rewards strategy

The difference between earning 1% and 5% on frequent purchases adds up quickly. If you spend $500 per month at a partner merchant, that's $30 per year at 1% versus $150 per year at 5% — a $120 difference. Over five years, that's $600 in extra rewards. This is why people choose a specific Chase card: not because it works somewhere else, but because it works better at the places they spend money most often.

The key is matching the card to your actual spending. If you fly United frequently, a United card makes sense. If you stay at Marriott properties regularly, a Marriott card pays for itself. If you shop Amazon heavily, the Amazon Prime Rewards card is worth considering. But if you don't use the partner, the bonus is worthless — you're better off with a general-purpose card that earns a solid rate everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Chase card at any store, or only at partner companies?

You can use a Chase card at any store that accepts Visa or Mastercard, which is nearly all U.S. retailers. Partner companies just offer bonus rewards when you use the card there. The card works the same way everywhere — the difference is the rewards rate.

Do I need to activate or register my card to earn partner bonuses?

No. Bonuses are automatic when you use the card at a partner merchant. Some cards offer promotional bonuses (like extra points for your first purchase) that may require registration, but standard partner rewards do not. Check your benefits guide to see if any current promotions require a step.

What if a company has multiple Chase cards — do they all earn the same bonus?

No. For example, United has three Chase cards (Explorer, Club Infinite, and Club Infinite Business), and they earn different point rates and offer different perks. Check the specific card's benefits guide to see which bonus rate applies. Higher-tier cards usually earn more points at the partner.

Can I earn partner bonuses on purchases made through a third-party website?

Usually not. If you book a United flight through a travel website instead of United.com, you typically earn the standard Visa/Mastercard rate, not the United card bonus. Partner bonuses usually require booking directly with the partner company. Check the card's terms to confirm.

Do Chase business cards work at the same partner companies as consumer cards?

No. Chase business and consumer cards have separate partner networks. A business card won't earn bonuses at consumer retail partners, and vice versa. Check your specific card's benefits guide to see which merchants offer bonuses for that card.