Chase Sapphire members can redeem their points for groceries during pandemic

While we're all locked down at home, you may be wondering what to do with the credit card points you've racked up.

If you're a Chase Sapphire cardholder, you can use those points to pay for some burgers at your local grocery store – if you can find some. 

The new Chase "Pay Yourself Back" program will allow eligible cardholders to use points to pay for purchases in select categories, starting with grocery stores, dining and home improvement stores. Customers can apply the points through Chase's Ultimate Rewards site.

"Pay Yourself Back" begins Sunday, through Sept. 30, for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cards. Chase confirmed to USA TODAY that it "will be looking to evolve the tool to keep the categories fresh and over time introduce other eligible Chase cards to the tool."

Usually, credit card rewards programs place a focus on travel purchases, often making it the main attraction for customers.

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"We’re continuing to give our customers choices so they have the flexibility to use their points in the most meaningful ways for them," said Matt Massaua, head of ultimate rewards and loyalty solutions at Chase, in a statement.

Chase Sapphire joins similar programs like:

• Citi's City Prestige program, in which cardholders can use the annual $250 travel credit on purchases at supermarkets and restaurants, in addition to travel.
• Capital One, which is allowing Venture Rewards and a VentureOne Rewards cardholders to redeem airline miles for food delivery, takeout, streaming and other services.
• American Express, which offers Platinum Consumer card holders up to $320 in statement credits when they use their Platinum Card on select streaming and wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers – up to $20 per month on each, through December.