Secret Benefits: Credit Card Perks You Didn’t Know You Had

Hidden Credit Card Perks and Benefits

Credit cards offer more than just a convenient way to pay; they come with a range of benefits that can make your life easier and more secure. Discovering the credit card perks of your card can be enlightening. From travel insurance and exclusive travel perks to purchase protections and other valuable features, these benefits add significant value to your card membership. Let’s uncover some of these hidden credit card benefits and see how they can enhance your daily life and travel experiences.

Travel Insurance

Credit card flight delay cancellation insurance

When you think of credit card benefits, travel insurance might not be the first benefit that comes to mind, but it can be one of the most valuable. Many premium credit cards offer coverage for rental car damage, trip cancellations, and more. These protections save you money and provide peace of mind, ensuring smooth travels even when unexpected issues arise.

Tip!: While each card has different requirements for insurance coverage, it’s important to note that you must use your card to pay for your travel expenses to be covered. 

Rental Car Insurance

Rental car insurance is a convenient travel credit card benefit. When you use your credit card to pay for your rental, you’re covered for damages due to collision or theft. This insurance can act as secondary coverage, or even better as primary coverage – avoiding the need to involve your personal auto insurance. Primary coverage is offered on both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.

Trip Delay, Cancellation, or Interruption

With trip delay insurance, if your trip is delayed for covered reasons, you can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses caused by the delay for covered reasons. This benefit typically begins after 6-12 hours, and covers additional expenses like meals and lodging during a delay, up to $500/person.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance reimburses nonrefundable trip expenses for covered reasons like medical emergencies, severe weather, jury duty, or death/hospitalization. Coverage usually ranges from $3,000 – $10,000 per person. 

Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Luggage

While baggage delay coverage is not as common, it reimburses you for essential items if your bag is delayed for at least 6 hours, up to $100 per day. Damaged or lost luggage coverage is a secondary coverage to the airline’s coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage, typically covering $500-$3,000 per person for replacement or repair of belongings if the flight was booked on the card. This benefit can be found on most Chase and American Express cards.

Travel Accident

Travel accident insurance through your credit card can be a safety net when it’s available, covering accidental death or dismemberment when traveling on a common carrier like a plane or train. This benefit essentially provides financial support in the event of a tragic accident.

Emergency Evacuation

Receive emergency medical transportation coverage to ease the burden of getting seriously ill or injured while in a remote location abroad, getting you to the nearest adequate facility or home if necessary. This usually requires you to have booked at least part of the trip on the corresponding card, and you also need to coordinate directly with the issuer’s benefit team due to the nature of the higher costs.

Best credit cards for travel insurance

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 4.5

Premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access, $300 travel credits, and travel protection.
Apply now

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 4.5

Excellent balance of annual fee affordability and valuable travel rewards and travel protection.
Apply now

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Travel Benefits

Credit card lounge access

Many credit cards come with travel benefits that enhance your travel experience. From expedited airport security to exclusive lounge access, these perks make trips more comfortable and enjoyable. Let’s explore the valuable travel benefits from credit cards and see how they can make your journeys smoother and more convenient.

TSA Pre-Check / Global Entry

Speed through security lines with TSA Pre-Check (domestic flights) and Global Entry (international travelers returning to the U.S.). Many credit cards cover the application fee for a single TSA Pre-Check / Global Entry every 4 years. Using your credit card for the fee can earn you a statement credit. 

Lounge Access

A luxurious travel benefit from premium credit cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture X, and more is lounge access. These lounges offer a place away from the bustle to relax with complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even showers. Depending on the credit card, you may get access to networks like Priority Pass, and/or issuer specifics like Centurion Lounge.

Priority Boarding

Priority boarding is a fantastic travel perk with certain co-branded credit cards, letting you board earlier, avoid chaotic boarding queues, and secure carry-on space. With cards like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®, this benefit ensures a more relaxed start to your journey, especially helpful at busy airports and on crowded flights.

Free Checked Bags

Another flight related travel perk is free checked bags, saving you money on bigger bags and longer trips. Again, many co-branded airline cards offer this perk when you book flights with that airline, like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. This benefit usually applies to the cardholder and sometimes companions too, offsetting rising add-on costs like baggage fees.

Travel Discounts

Credit cards provide access to travel discounts, adding value to your membership. Discounts include savings on hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. Some cards will even give you complimentary status with major car rental and hotel brands. Most of these benefits are available to activate through the card issuer’s portal, with purchase discounts such as spend a certain amount, get a certain amount back.

Best credit cards for travel benefits

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 4.0

Luxury travel perks like airport lounge access, hotel and airline elite status, and substantial travel credits.
Apply now

Alaska Airlines Signature Visa

Alaska Airlines Signature Visa

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 3.5

Get Alaska’s famous companion fare, free checked bags, and priority boarding.
Apply now

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Purchase Protection & Warranties

Some cards offer valuable purchase protection benefits. Features like purchase security, extended warranties, return protection, and price protection provide peace of mind and added value. These perks ensure your items are protected and guarantee you get the best possible price on your purchases.

Tip!: While each card has different coverages for purchase protection, it’s important to note that you must use your card to pay for your purchase in full to use these benefits.

Purchase Security

Purchase security is common credit card benefit that safeguards your purchases against damage or theft, usually within 90-120 days after the transaction. In case your new device gets broken or your item is stolen, the credit card issuer may reimburse you, providing added layer of security and confidence on your purchases. It requires you put the full purchase on the card, and has per occurrence and yearly limits, and has certain exclusions.

Extended Warranty

Another valuable benefit of using a credit card for purchases is extended warranty protection. This feature often extends the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible products, giving you additional coverage beyond the standard period. It can come in handy for tech gadgets, appliances, or other high-value items that may require repairs or replacements in the future. This benefit also requires you put the full purchase on the card, and has per occurrence and yearly limits.

Return Protection

Return protection is a useful perk of many credit cards, allowing you to return eligible items that the merchant won’t take back. This feature can be beneficial when you change your mind about a purchase or encounter issues with the product, extending the return timeframe and providing a safety net for your shopping decisions. Some reasons could be that the retailer doesn’t allow returns or the item was final sale, and there are limits of around $250-300 per item and $1,000 yearly.

Price Protection

While it’s a less common benefit, price protection is a helpful feature that refunds the price difference if you find an item you purchased at a lower price within a specified timeframe. This perk ensures that you get the best deal on your purchases, allowing you to shop confidently without worrying about missing out on discounts or promotions.

Best credit cards for purchase protection

Chase Freedom Unlimited

chase freedom unlimited card

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 3.5

Unlimited 1.5% cash back on your spending, and an elevated rate on Dining and Drugstores.
Apply now

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 3.5

Top earner. Up to 6% cash back on grocery, streaming, transit, and gas.
Apply now

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Other Credit Card Perks

Credit cards come with various perks beyond travel insurance, travel benefits, and purchase protections. While there are many unique perks between all of the cards on the market, here are a few of the more common benefits are also worth considering. These benefits add convenience, security, and savings to your daily spending.

Cell Phone Coverage

Some credit cards provide cell phone coverage, providing protection for your mobile device against damage or theft. This perk can save you money on costly repairs or replacements if an unexpected incident occurs with your phone. You’ll normally be covered for up to $1,000 with limited incidents per year. There is usually a small deductible as well, and you need to pay your monthly phone plan with the card. 

Fraud Protection

One crucial perk of most credit cards is fraud protection. Card issuers monitor for suspicious activity and unauthorized charges, offering liability protection to ensure you’re not held responsible for charges you didn’t make. It’s always safer to have a credit card active than a debit card, which is linked directly to your bank account with very little protection.

Concierge Access

Many travel rewards credit cards provide access to concierge services, offering 24/7 assistance with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, event tickets, personal shopping and other services. There are lots of ideas of how you could use this perk to add convenience and make everyday tasks easier.

Shopping Offers

Many credit cards come with exclusive shopping offers available to activate in their portal, such as discounts, cash back rewards, or bonus points for specific purchases. These offers help you save money and earn rewards while shopping for items you need or want, and can add up to significant savings.

Best for other credit card perks

Capital One Venture X

Capital One Venture X

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 4.0

Premium travel benefits, including $300 travel credits, airport lounge access, high 2x earning rate.
Apply now

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Logo Moola Stamp FlatMag rank: 4.0

Get up to 3x Ultimate Rewards points on your spend, plus other value added perks.
Apply now

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Maximizing Your Credit Card Benefits

Understanding and utilizing the hidden benefits of your credit card will give you protection and peace of mind. Whether it’s enjoying a stress-free trip, protecting your purchases, or accessing exclusive offers, these perks can make a significant difference in your everyday life. You can find these perks listed within new credit card offers or inside your account portal for existing cards. Be sure to explore and take advantage of the benefits of your credit cards to maximize the value.

Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.

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