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Most of us have heard by now about travel rewards and cash back credit cards. But less known are the additional benefits that credit card issuers often include with your cardmembership. These benefits can mean big savings and other protections that you weren’t aware that you could be using. These are some of the amazing perks you may not be aware that credit cards offer. (See also: 4 Surprising Reasons to Always Use Your Credit Card)
There's no reason to purchase an extended warranty if you have the right credit card. Many cards offer you extended warranty coverage that goes beyond the manufacturer's warranty. In some cases, you can double your warranty coverage just by making a purchase with a specific credit card. Look through your card benefits guide for information on whether or not you have free extended warranty coverage, and how to take advantage of it.
You might have price protection built into your credit card. With this perk, you can receive a refund if the price drops on any item you bought with the credit card. Usually there is a time limit of 30, 60, or 90 days to use this feature, and you will probably have to keep a receipt and get an advertised price to take advantage of this perk. But it can save you a significant amount of money if you buy a big-ticket item and it goes on sale the following week. (See also: How to Use Your Price Protection Policy on Your Credit Card)
If a purchase you made with a credit card is lost, damaged, or stolen, and your other insurance policies don't cover it, your credit card might. Check your agreement to see whether or not you can be reimbursed for a purchase. Normally, there is a limit to the amount covered, but it can still provide you extra protection in the event of the unexpected. (See also: How Credit Cards Protect Your Purchases From Damage or Theft)
Store won't take back an item you want to return? Even if the store's return policy is only 30 days, you might be able to return an item up to 90 days after buying it through your credit card. You might have to pay shipping and handling, but it's a small price to pay to rectify a buying mistake. (See also: How to Return Items Through Your Credit Card If the Store Refuses)
If you need help tracking down your lost baggage, looking for a restaurant open after midnight in your local area, or finding the best hotel deal near your current location, call the credit card's concierge line. Some premium credit cards offer such high customer service you’d think they were your personal assistants. (See also: What Do You Get From Credit Card Concierge Services?)
Some credit cards offer special events and access exclusively for their cardmembers. You might be able to get free admission to museums, access to presales and preferred seating, VIP lounge access and more. Check your card benefits for entertainment events available to you. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Purchases)
More and more credit cards are offering credit monitoring services, like including your credit score with each monthly statement or subscription to a service that monitors your credit for you. This allows you to be alerted to issues like fraud or changes to your credit score due to your shopping habits. (See also: Best Credit Cards That Offer Free Credit Scores)
Many credit cards offer free rental car insurance coverage. This is one of the best perks that few people use. I've been using it every time I get a rental car, since it saves me having to purchase the coverage from the rental car provider.
In order to access the free rental car insurance coverage, though, you need to pay for the rental with the appropriate credit card, and you need to sign the waiver provided by the rental car company. Before you travel, find out which credit card offers this perk, and make it a point to use it to pay for the rental. (See also: What Does Credit Card Car Rental Insurance Cover?)
One of the great perks I receive from one of my credit cards is a special discounted price on rental cars from a specific company. When my husband went on a trip a few months ago and picked up the car, the agent at the counter had to double-check the rate, since it was so low, due to our discount. The counter agent said he'd never seen a daily rate so low for that type of car.
Many credit card issuers have partnerships with restaurants, retailers, hotels, rental car companies, and even airlines. You can receive special discounts and upgrades just for using the right credit card, or by taking advantage of a special deal. Pay attention to the communications from your credit card issuers, since you never know when special promotions will pop up, from discounts on concert tickets to reduced-price merchandise.
Instead of paying to access an airline's lounge, you can get in for free with the right credit card. Airport lounges offer a variety of amenities, including the ability to access airline personnel quickly and easily. If your flight has been canceled or delayed, an airport lounge is one of the best places to get prompt attention. No waiting in a long line to speak with a gate agent. Plus, if you have a long layover, the lounge can be much more comfortable than the general airport waiting area. Check your perks to see whether or not you have access to an airline lounge. (See also: Best Credit Cards With Free Airport Lounge Access)
Some credit cards have their own shopping portals where you can get serious discounts for your online shopping. Check to see if your card issuer has its own dedicated site for online shopping and whether the retailer you'd like to do your shopping at is one of their partners. The shopping experience is the same. You just click through to the store via the issuer's shopping portal.
There are some dangers that come with travel. What if something valuable was stolen from your hotel room? Perhaps your luggage was lost and you have to replace the items within. Some credit card issuers offer free travel insurance that you can use to recover your losses. You have to make your travel purchases with the right credit card for it to apply, so look through your card benefits package to determine what’s covered. It's also possible to receive travel accident insurance, which covers costs related to accidents abroad. (See also: What Does Credit Card Travel Accident Insurance Cover?)
Get help on the road with roadside assistance from your credit card. The most basic services just get you the help you need (which you then have to pay for), but some cards include premium roadside services that cover costs up to a certain amount. In any case, sometimes knowing you have someone you can call when you’re stuck on the side of the road is all the peace of mind you need.
Travelers always use a good travel credit card that provides helpful benefits and discounts that alleviate the stress and costs of travel. Get free checked bags, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases, and more. If you’re a devoted patron of a particular airline, you can get even more perks with an airline-branded credit card. Don’t forget about cards that offer zero foreign transaction fees, which is invaluable if you need to use a credit card abroad. (See also: 12 Travel Perks You Didn't Know Your Credit Card Had
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Take a look at your cardmember benefits. You might be surprised at the extra perks you can enjoy, just for using your credit card.
Just happened to get a new credit card and actually read the package that can with. These are some great perks that I didn't know about before signing up and they were a great unexpected surprise.