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DoorDash Is in Talks to Buy Instacart: What It Could Mean for Your Credit Card Credits
September 27, 2026
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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy Instacart in a deal that could value the grocery delivery company at about $17 billion. Nothing is signed yet, and nothing has changed with your card benefits today.
If you carry a Chase card, though, you may be collecting DoorDash credits, Instacart credits, or both every month. Here's what each card offers right now, what could change if the deal goes through, and what to do in the meantime.
What Do We Know About the DoorDash and Instacart Deal?
The Wall Street Journal reported on October 26, 2026 that DoorDash is in advanced talks to acquire Instacart, and that a deal could come as soon as this week. Neither company has announced an agreement, and reports stress the talks could still fall apart.
Here's what's been reported so far:
- Price: about $17 billion, a premium over Instacart's market value of roughly $12 to $13 billion before the reports.
- Size: DoorDash brought in $13.72 billion in revenue last year, compared with $3.75 billion for Instacart.
- Reach: DoorDash says it has more than 200,000 grocery and retail stores on its marketplace. Instacart covers more than 100,000 stores and 2,200 grocery brands.
- Approval: a combined company could face antitrust review. The two companies discussed a deal in 2021, and those talks ended partly over regulatory concerns.
Even if both sides sign this week, a deal this size usually takes months to close. Until it does, DoorDash and Instacart run as separate companies with separate memberships and separate card partnerships.
Which Credit Cards Come With DoorDash Benefits?
Chase's Sapphire cards carry the biggest DoorDash perks. Each one starts with a complimentary DashPass membership, which normally costs $9.99 a month and gets you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: complimentary DashPass, one $15 monthly promo on any eligible order, plus two $10 monthly promos on non-restaurant orders.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: complimentary DashPass and one $10 monthly promo on a non-restaurant order.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: complimentary DashPass and two $10 monthly promos on non-restaurant orders.
The Sapphire Reserve's $15 promo replaced a $5 restaurant-only promo on October 1, 2026. It now works on restaurant, grocery, convenience and retail orders.
A few rules apply to every card above:
- You have to activate DashPass with your Chase card and pay with that card at checkout.
- Unused promos don't roll over to the next month.
- Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred cardholders who activate DashPass by December 31, 2028 keep it through December 31, 2029.
For the Chase Sapphire Reserve®: points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
For a full breakdown, see our guides to the Sapphire Reserve's $15 DoorDash credit and free DashPass with Chase cards.
Which Credit Cards Come With Instacart Benefits?
Chase also partners with Instacart, mostly on its business and co-branded cards. The benefit runs through December 31, 2027, and you have to enroll your card with Instacart to get it.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ and a $20 monthly Instacart credit (up to $240 a year).
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ and a $20 monthly Instacart credit (up to $240 a year).
- Most Chase hotel and airline co-branded cards, including Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards, Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt cards: 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ and a $10 monthly Instacart credit (up to $120 a year).
Select United MileagePlus cards from Chase, such as the United℠ Explorer Card, have their own version with different credit amounts.
Two details trip people up. On most cards, the monthly credit only works while your Instacart+ membership is active. And the complimentary Instacart+ membership auto-renews at $99 a year when the free months end, so cancel before then if you don't plan to keep paying.
Could Your DoorDash or Instacart Credits Change?
Not right away. Your card benefits are agreements between Chase and each delivery company, and they have their own end dates. The Instacart benefit runs through December 31, 2027, and Sapphire DashPass runs through December 31, 2029 for cardholders who activate in time.
Neither company has said anything about card partnerships, so anything beyond that is educated guessing. If the deal closes, a few outcomes are possible:
- Nothing changes for now. DoorDash keeps Instacart running as its own app, and both card partnerships continue until their current end dates.
- The memberships merge. DashPass and Instacart+ could combine into one membership. Credits tied to Instacart+ might move over, change in value, or end when the current agreement expires.
- Partnerships get renegotiated. When an agreement comes up for renewal, Chase and the combined company could change which cards get which credits.
The practical takeaway: the credits you have today are worth using today. Watch your inbox for benefit updates from Chase, and we'll update this post when there's news.
What Should You Do Now?
Keep using your credits and keep an eye on the news. A few steps make sure you aren't leaving money on the table:
- Activate what you haven't. Turn on DashPass with your Sapphire card and enroll your eligible card with Instacart. Neither benefit kicks in automatically.
- Use each month's promos. DoorDash promos and Instacart credits don't roll over, so a month you skip is value you lose.
- Set a reminder for the Instacart+ renewal. Decide before your free months end whether the credit is worth $99 a year to you.
- Pay with the right card. Both benefits only apply when you check out with the eligible Chase card.
Kudos can help with all four. Add your cards to your Kudos wallet, and the Benefits Tracker shows which monthly credits you have and which ones you've used, so you can see what's left before the month resets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is DoorDash Buying Instacart?
DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy Instacart for about $17 billion, according to reports on October 26 and 27, 2026. As of this writing, neither company has announced a signed deal.
Will My Chase Instacart Credits Still Work?
Yes. Nothing has changed, and Chase's Instacart benefit runs through December 31, 2027. Keep your Instacart+ membership active, since most cards require it for the monthly credit.
Will DashPass Include Instacart+ After the Deal?
There's no announcement either way. DoorDash hasn't said whether it would combine the two memberships or keep them separate.
Can I Use the Sapphire Reserve's $15 DoorDash Promo on Groceries?
Yes. Since October 1, 2026, the $15 monthly promo works on any eligible DoorDash order, including grocery, convenience and retail orders. The two $10 promos are still limited to non-restaurant orders.
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