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We’ve covered various travel insurances offered by premium rewards cards, such as auto rental collision damage and trip delay coverage. But did you know that there are benefits on travel rewards credit cards that have nothing to do with travel?
Many credit cards, particularly premium travel rewards cards, offer extensive benefits. Some come with special access to events, dining credits, and much more. The right credit card can provide thousands of dollars in additional value over the lifetime of card membership.
Here is our list of non-travel benefits that come with the following rewards credit cards.
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Non-Travel Benefits of Rewards Credit Cards
Auto purchase program
The American Express Auto Purchasing Program works with over 10,000 pre-screened and certified car dealers to guarantee savings on car purchases. Participating Certified Dealers even accept payment from an Amex credit card — starting at $2,000. That's one way to get a large amount of Membership Rewards or to meet the minimum spend on a new credit card.
U.S.-based personal and business cardmembers are also eligible to save up to $4,500 on select Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Mercedes chooses which cars can receive the discount, and cardmembers are eligible for this discount only once per calendar year.
Cell phone protection
We’ve covered this in detail in another post, but if you use the right card to pay your cell phone bill each month, loss or damage to the phone will be covered. Most cards offering this benefit cover between $600 and $800 per claim, and deductibles are typically $50 or $100.
Theft, water damage, and a non-functional device are some of the covered reasons available with cell phone protection from a credit card. It often doesn't cover cosmetic damage, phone accessories, or phones purchased for resale. There may also be a deductible. The list of what's covered and what isn't depends on the credit card, so be sure to understand your card's benefits and which card is best for this feature.
Related: How To Get Free Cell Phone Insurance With Credit Cards
Concierge benefits
Premium rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer a dedicated concierge for cardholders. Platinum Card® Concierge, for example, can arrange for reservations at hard-to-book restaurants, tickets for a concert, and more. You just call the number on the back of your card to reach a concierge.
The concierge is best contacted for items that aren't explicitly travel- or vacation-related. Most card providers are now home to a travel division better equipped to handle those requests. The bill for whatever service or purchase you require will be charged to your card. The concierge service itself is free.
Food delivery and dining credits
Some credit cards offer food delivery service memberships or dining credits as a cardholder perk. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with an annual $300 dining credit. The credit is broken down to $25 per month and comes in the form of a statement credit. Those with the American Express® Gold Card also get up to $120 dining credit ($10 per month) in statement credits. The Amex Gold credit can only be used at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Related: Use These Credit Cards for Free Food Delivery Perks
Entertainment and exclusive event access
Numerous credit cards offer exclusive event access such as tickets to concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
Amex Platinum cardmembers can attend curated events through Amex's By Invitation Only® program. Events include fashion, art, dining, sports, and music or theatre productions. Visit AmericanExpress.com/byinvitationonly to discover possible events or call 800-321-7787. Tickets can be purchased with your Amex Platinum card or Membership Rewards points.
American Express® Preferred Seating offers advanced ticket sales and preferred seating for concerts, sporting events, and other big-ticket entertainment. Access is free to holders of dozens of Amex cards, all listed on the Preferred Seating website.
Capital One Entertainment gives all Capital One cardholders access to presale and VIP ticket packages as well as on-site amenities like Capital One-sponsored lounges.
Chase Experiences includes dining events hosted by The Infatuation, seats at The U.S. Open, and more.
Finally, Citi Entertainment offers presale tickets to concerts and sporting events and is available to all Citi cardholders.
Purchase protection
Purchase protection includes things like extended warranties, guaranteed returns, and purchase security. Reading the fine print attached to these credit card benefits can potentially save you thousands of dollars. See what all purchase protections your card could offer below.
- Price protection: If you purchase an item and see a lower advertised price within the next 90 days, many premium cards will reimburse you the difference up to a specified value per item, with limits per account each year. The card provider sets price protection limits, so check your benefits guide for details.
- Extended warranty: When you purchase items like televisions with your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex, chances are your purchase is covered by an extended warranty for repair or replacement. The coverage differs by provider, but in some cases can include products worth up to $10,000 in value.
- Guaranteed returns: If you’re not happy with a purchase and the merchant won’t accept a return, your card provider may reimburse you for the purchase price. Items must be returned to your benefits administrator in a “like new” condition with original packaging and receipts within 90 days of purchase.
- Purchase security: If an item purchased using your card (or points earned via the card) is lost due to “theft, damage, or involuntary and accidental parting,” typically within the first 120 days after purchase, it may be covered by your card issuer. Coverage varies widely (from $500 to $10,000 per item) between providers, so be sure to check your benefits guide.
Final Thoughts
With some of these benefits offering up to $10,000 in value per claim, these perks are not to be ignored and can potentially return more than the value of the rewards garnered from your credit cards. They also deliver access to one-of-a-kind events and experiences. There are likely dozens more non-travel-related benefits we missed that are specific to a select family of credit cards, but those listed above are some of our favorites that offer unique value to cardholders across a broad spectrum of cards.
Have a non-travel-related card perk you’d like to share? Get in touch via the comments below with your favorite benefit.
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