Credit cards come with a lot of well-known benefits like cash back and travel miles. But there are also plenty of hidden credit card perks you probably didn’t know about. In fact, some of these perks may even come with the card you already use! If you don’t want to leave money on the table, get to know these seven credit card benefits you probably haven’t heard of.
1) Extended Warranty
Any electronic item you buy will come with a limited warranty from the manufacturer, but did you know you can double that warranty if you use the right credit card? Most credit cards, including all Citi and American Express cards, offer extended warranty coverage, which can add a year or two to the manufacturer’s warranty.
You’ll have to consult your credit card agreement to see what purchases you can get an extended warranty on and how to take advantage of this policy. If your credit card has this perk, don’t bother paying extra for warranty extension at checkout: you’re already covered!
2) Price Protection
Don’t you hate it when you buy something, only to find out a week later that it’s now on sale and you could have gotten it for a fraction of the price if you had just waited? Or when you find an even cheaper price in another store and realize you should have done your research before taking advantage of that sale?
It’s a pain many shoppers know only too well. The good news is that you can get price protection for this exact situation with some Mastercard and Visa Signature® credit cards, such as the Capital One® Savor® Rewards Card and all Citi credit cards with Price Rewind. If the issuers of these cards detect a price drop or find a lower price on your recent purchase at a different retailer, they’ll reimburse you for the difference.
These price rewinds usually have limits, such as 30 to 90 days from the date of purchase or a maximum refund of $500. As long as your credit card offers price protection, though, you can buy with confidence knowing you’ll always get the best price in the end!
3) Purchase Protection
There’s nothing more frustrating than buying something expensive only to accidentally break it or have it stolen. Fortunately, if you buy a lot of your most expensive items with a credit card, you may already be covered for damage and theft.
Some credit cards, like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, include purchase protection to cover losses on certain items purchased with that card. This can be a good backup if you don’t have other insurance policies that will cover damage or theft.
To be reimbursed for a damaged item, you’ll need to file a claim with your card issuer, and in some cases, you may have to include pictures of the damaged item and a repair bill as proof that it needs to be replaced. If the item was stolen, be aware that you’ll need to include a police report with your claim.
4) Return Guarantees
We all make mistakes. Sometimes we have to return items we never should have bought in the first place. Most stores have a return policy that covers you for 30 days after the date of purchase, but what if you try to return an item after that month is up?
Luckily, you may still be covered if you made the purchase with a credit card that offers return protection. All Mastercards and American Express cards offer some form of return guarantee for up to 90 days after your purchase, so they may take the item back and refund your money even if the store won’t.
Note that certain items aren’t covered by return protection. You’ll also probably have to cover shipping and handling costs yourself, but it’s still better than being stuck with that Christmas gift none of your friends or family wanted!
5) Travel Insurance
Planning a trip is stressful enough without having to worry about what could go wrong while you’re traveling. Whether it’s your luggage getting lost, your valuables being stolen, or one of your family members getting sick, having the right travel insurance can help you recover your losses and relieve much of the stress that would otherwise ruin your vacation. Fortunately, if you have a credit card with travel benefits, you may already have all the travel insurance you need!
Aside from coverage during your actual trip, some credit cards also offer trip cancellation insurance. Life gets in the way sometimes, and if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute, the credit card you used to book your trip may be able to cover some of your losses.
Some good travel credit cards to consider are Chase Sapphire cards for personal use and Chase Ink cards for business use. Every card has a different policy, so make sure to check what situations you’re covered for before you book your trip!
6) Exclusive Discounts, Upgrades, and Perks
Credit card perks like cash back and travel rewards are common, but some credit cards, like the Citi Private Pass® card or the Chase Sapphire On Location card, offer special perks exclusive to their cardholders. These can include presale and preferred seating tickets, free museum admission, access to VIP lounges, rental car insurance, and more.
Your credit card may also give you special discounts and upgrades you didn’t know you had access to. Credit card companies frequently partner with retailers, restaurants, hotels, and even airlines to offer exclusive benefits to their customers. Depending on the card you use, you may be able to get a special deal on a purchase or be bumped up a class on your next flight. You never know what perks you might be missing out on!
7) Concierge Services
Concierge services aren’t exclusive to hotels. Sometimes the only help you need to plan your next date night or vacation is right in your pocket!
Premium credit cards like World Elite Mastercard® and Visa Signature® include 24/7 concierge services among their other perks. If you have trouble getting reservations at restaurants or hotels, for example, you can call the service line provided by your credit card issuer and they can help you get a table or book your next trip. The most elite cards can even net you special types of reservations like exotic cars, cruises, and private jets!
Even if you don’t need fancy cars and rooms in five-star hotels, a concierge service can help you with simpler tasks such as shopping for certain items or finding the perfect gift for a loved one. Whatever you’re looking for, a credit card with a concierge service line can be like the personal assistant you never knew you needed!
In short, credit cards can offer way more benefits than just cash back and travel miles on all your purchases. Whether you need extra guarantees on everything you buy or the peace of mind of having the right coverage at the right time, these lesser-known credit card perks can help you get the most out of your hard-earned money!
Dana George-Berberich is a freelance reporter and novelist. She has written finance articles for newspapers across the country and for companies like Dun & Bradstreet and Bankrate.
