Does Airbnb Count as Travel for Chase Cards?
Demystify credit card travel rewards. Learn how your spending, like Airbnb, is categorized by Chase for earning valuable points.
When using credit cards for travel, understanding how transactions are categorized by the card issuer is important for maximizing rewards. Many cardholders frequently wonder about the classification of specific booking platforms, particularly whether stays booked through services like Airbnb qualify for travel rewards. This article explores how Chase credit cards typically categorize Airbnb transactions and outlines strategies for earning rewards on these stays.
Understanding Chase’s Travel Category
Credit card issuers rely on Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to classify purchases. These four-digit codes are assigned by payment networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, to merchants based on their primary business activity. When a transaction occurs, the merchant’s MCC is communicated to the card issuer, which then uses this code to determine if the purchase falls into a specific bonus category, such as travel.
Chase maintains a broad definition for its travel category. This includes common travel expenses like flights, hotel and motel stays, car rentals, and cruise line purchases. Public transportation, such as buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, and passenger trains, qualify. Smaller expenses like tolls, parking lots, and garages are also included.
How Chase Categorizes Airbnb Transactions
The categorization of Airbnb transactions by Chase credit cards has historically presented a nuanced situation. While some general Chase FAQs might indicate that vacation home rentals may not consistently qualify as traditional hotel stays, user experiences and reports for specific Chase Sapphire cards often show a different outcome. For popular cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, Airbnb bookings are frequently classified as travel. This allows cardholders to earn elevated bonus points on these transactions, similar to other travel purchases.
The reason for this favorable categorization often stems from how Airbnb, as a lodging provider, is coded by the payment networks. Many Airbnb transactions are processed under a merchant code related to lodging or travel, enabling them to trigger bonus rewards on Chase travel cards. This generally applies to direct bookings made on the Airbnb website, without needing to go through the Chase travel portal for bonus earning. However, specific merchant coding can occasionally vary, so reviewing past statements to see how an Airbnb charge was categorized offers the most accurate insight.
Strategies for Earning Rewards on Airbnb Stays
Several strategies can optimize reward earning for Airbnb stays. If an Airbnb booking does not consistently code as travel for bonus points, use a Chase card with flat-rate earning on all purchases. This ensures a consistent reward rate regardless of the merchant category.
Leverage the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. While direct Airbnb listings are not always available, some vacation rentals can be booked through the portal. Booking through the portal ensures the transaction is recognized as travel, allowing for enhanced Ultimate Rewards point redemption.
Purchasing Airbnb gift cards can be strategic, especially with a Chase Ink Business Cash card. This card offers bonus rewards at office supply stores, where Airbnb gift cards are available. This method allows you to earn a high rate of Ultimate Rewards points on the gift card, which can then be used for your Airbnb stay.
Some Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, come with annual travel credits. These credits can offset Airbnb expenses, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.