I’ve had discussions with a couple of people recently that made me realize 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 Platinum Card® from American Express, so she could use that lounge when she flies out of SLC—but she hasn’t. Airport lounges are my favorite and can save you so much money on food and drink at the airport!  

Another person who has the American Express® Gold Card was not using their dining statement credits or monthly Uber Cash! 

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 most 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 so you can make sure you’re getting all the value you can get out of your cards!

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The card_name is one of our favorite beginner credit cards.  Here are some of the benefits that make it worth the $95 annual fee:

• No foreign-transaction fees
• Primary auto-rental damage-collision coverage (this is huge because it’s primary coverage, which means it kicks in before your own normal car insurance has to)
• Baggage-delay insurance (if delayed over 6 hours, up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days)
• Trip-delay insurance (if your flight is delayed by 12 hours or overnight, up to $500 per traveler for food and lodging)
• Trip cancellation and disruption insurance (if your trip is delayed by illness, severe weather, or other covered circumstances, up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip)
• Lost-luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 person
• Roadside assistance: free referrals for local help (that you pay for yourself)
• $50 Hotel Credit
• Doordash $10 Monthly Credit

An airline damaged Alex’s stroller once, and after Alex made a claim for the damage using this card, she got a check in the mail for the cost of her stroller, which she had purchased five years earlier. I’ve had an airline lose my bags for three days I was able to buy new items with the reimbursement from my card’s coverage. Knowing about all your benefits is totally worth it. To be covered, you’ll want to use this card to pay for your flight. And with this card, even just paying the taxes on an award flight will provide you with coverage.

 

 

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card has an annual fee of annual_fees; see Rates and Fees. That may seem hefty until you realize your benefits will more than offset it!

• $10/month dining credit
• $10/month Uber Cash (can also be used for Uber Eats) 
• $7/month Dunkin’ credit
• $50 RESY restaurant credit twice a year ($50 in the first half of the calendar year and $50 in the second half; $100 total per year)
• No foreign-transaction fees
• Baggage insurance of up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage
• Car-rental loss and damage insurance (secondary, not primary coverage, and also does not include liability coverage) 

 

Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

 

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Although the Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a high annual fee of annual_fees  (see Rates and Fees), I think it’s worth it. I will totally keep this card in my wallet because it allows me access to my absolute favorite bougie airport lounges. Here are some of its other benefits—and they really do add up:

• Global Lounge access, including the terrific American Express Centurion Lounges
• $200 airline incidentals statement credit—pick your airline and get $200 in statement credits for purchases of lounge passes, food, wifi, and checked bags
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 every 6 months)
• $200 annual Fine Hotel and Resorts or The Hotel Collection credit
• Up to $200 Uber Cash annually ($15/month for 12 months plus an extra $20 in December)
• $20/month digital-entertainment credit for selected products or services
• $199 CLEAR credit
• $12.95 Walmart monthly credit
• Cell phone protection
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit every 4 to 4.5 years, respectively
• 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 offset the annual fee even without those amazing lounges!

Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

 

 

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

This is another of my favorite credit cards. Every year I renew my card even with the annual_fees annual fee (see Rates and Fees) because I get an annual free-night certificate good for an award redemption of up to 85,000 Marriott points. In the past, I have used it to stay at some amazing hotels that would go for over $500 per night, so I love this benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Additional benefits include:

• $300 annual dining credit (up to $25/month)
• Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
• Priority Pass Select airport lounge access
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit every 4 or 4.5 years, respectively
• 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
• 24/7 Premium Global Assist Hotline
• Purchase protection

 

 

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The card_name is another fantastic beginner card.  Because it earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, 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, including unlimited visits to the amazing Capital One Lounges and to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium network lounges (including two free guests per cardholder or authorized user)
• Lost luggage protection – up to $3000 per passenger
• Travel accident insurance – up to $250,000
• Rental Car insurance – covers damage or theft with restrictions.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

 

Hotel Credit Cards

Most of these come with an annual free-night certificate and hotel status. Know what your hotel status can get you. It may be something minimal, such as a free bottle of water, but it could be late checkout, free breakfasts, or an upgraded room. Be sure to check so you know what you’re entitled to!

 

Airline Credit Cards

Airlines credit cards like those from United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, et al. usually offer a benefit of free checked bags and priority boarding. The card_name also comes with a couple of free-visit passes to United Club lounges. These are a nice place to stop during long layovers or to grab a quick bite or drink before a flight.

 

Bottom Line

Know what other benefits each of your credit cards can give you besides earning you a great introductory welcome offer or points on your everyday spending. Some of the extra benefits different cards offer make the annual fee worth paying over and over. 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?