Taking Advantage of Credit Card Benefits

Pam

Recently, I’ve had discussions with a couple of people and realized after talking to them that they are totally NOT taking advantage of their credit card benefits. One friend lives in Salt Lake City and flies Delta a lot. Delta has an amazing Delta SkyClub Lounge. She has the AMEX Platinum Card and has not been using that lounge when she flies out of SLC. Airport lounges are my favorite! Free food, beverages, and a beautiful setting need to be used!

Another person who has the American Express Gold Card is not using their dining credits or UBER credits (can be used for Uber Eats)! They are paying $250 in annual fees and not getting back $240 of their fee!

Obviously, we need to talk about taking advantage of your credit card benefits. Most credit cards have benefits that offset the annual fee. Indeed, some of the benefits, like the hotel credit cards, are so good, I keep paying the annual fee year after year.

Let’s go over some of the best credit card benefits!

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card is one of our favorite beginning credit cards.  Here are some of the benefits you may not have known that it has that make it worth the $95 annual fee:

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Primary auto rental damage collision coverage (this is huge because it is PRIMARY coverage)
  • Baggage delay insurance (if delayed over 6 hrs -up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days
  • Trip delay insurance (trip delayed by 12 hr. – will pay up to $500 for food and lodging)
  • Lost luggage reimbursement – up to $3,000 person
  • Roadside assistance – for a set fee
  • Purchase protection – up to 120 days for damage or theft (up to $500/claim)
  • $50 Hotel Credit

There are even more! Check out this post about why we always keep our Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Alex had the airline damage her stroller once and having this card got her a check in the mail for the cost of her stroller, which she had purchased 5 years prior. I’ve had bags lost by an airline for 3 days and was able to buy new items. Knowing your benefits is totally worth it. To be covered you’ll want to use this card to pay for your flight, even just paying the taxes (since you used points) on this card will provide you with coverage.

 

You can be recouped for a lost suitcase with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card!

American Express Gold Credit Card

The American Express Gold Credit Card comes with an annual fee of $250. That seems hefty to most people until you realize your benefits will more than pay for it!

  • $10/mo dining credit
  • $10/mo Uber or Uber Eats credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Baggage Insurance – up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance – This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage

 

Enjoy a burger each month with your Uber Eats credit!

American Express Platinum Credit Card

Although this comes with a huge annual fee of $695, I think it is totally worth it. I will totally keep this card in my wallet because it is the absolute BEST airport lounge credit card. Here are some of its other benefits:

  • Global Lounge Access- the best airport lounges
  • $200 Airline Incidental – pick your airline and get $200 credit on lounge passes, food, wifi, and checked bags
  • $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 every 6 months)
  • $200 Uber or Uber Eats annually – $15/ month and an additional $20 in December
  • $20/mo streaming credit for selected products
  • $179 CLEAR credit
  • $300 annual Equinox credit
  • Cell phone protection
  • TSA Precheck or Global Entry credit every 4 years
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance – secondary insurance
  • 24/7 Premium Global Assist Hotline
  • Trip Delay and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Are you taking advantage of this card’s benefits? Especially the airport lounge access? The card’s benefits pay for themselves even without those amazing lounges!

 

Enjoying a beautiful airport lounge is a great benefit to credit card ownership!

American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card

This is another of my favorite credit cards. Every year that I renew the $650 annual fee, I get an 85K annual free night certificate. In the past, I have used it to stay at some amazing hotels that would book for $500+ a night, so I love this benefit of the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. Additional benefits include:

  • $300 Marriott dining credit ($25/month)
  • Priority Pass Select airport lounge access (can bring in 2 guests)
  • TSA Precheck or Global Entry statement credit every 4 years
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (secondary coverage)
  • Baggage Insurance Plan –  up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on bags
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
  • Trip Delay Insurance
  • Purchase Protection

 

 

Capital One Venture X Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Credit Card is another great beginner card.  Because it earns 2 points per $1 spent, it is a great card for everyday spending for someone who doesn’t want to keep track of which card to use in every situation. Other benefits include:

  • $300 statement credit when travel is booked through the travel portal
  • Airport lounge access
  • Lost luggage protection – up to $3000 per passenger
  • Travel accident insurance – up to $250,000
  • Rental Car insurance – covers damage or theft with restrictions.

 

Hotel Credit Cards

Most of these come with a free annual night certificate. They also come with hotel status. Know what your hotel status can get you. It may be a free bottle of water but it could be late checkout, free breakfasts, or an upgraded room. Be sure and check what your card gives you.

 

Airline Credit Cards

Airlines credit cards like United, Delta, American, Hawaiian, etc., usually come with free checked bags and priority boarding. The United Explorer card also comes with a couple of United Club lounges. These are nice for long layovers or a quick bite/drink before a flight.

 

Breakfast offerings in the United Club lounge in Denver

 

Bottom Line

Know about what other benefits each of your credit cards can give you besides the ability to earn you a great signup bonus or everyday spending points. Some of the extra benefits make the annual fee worth paying yearly. Don’t miss out on insurance benefits, airport lounge access, or TSA Precheck credits just because you haven’t made yourself familiar with your benefits. One of the best parts of using credit cards is all the other perks they offer! Are you taking advantage of your credit card benefits?

 

Beach pic with palm trees

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