Primary car rental insurance is one of the unsung heroes of rewards credit card perks. It can save you a bundle on the cost to rent a vehicle, but you need to understand what coverage you can safely decline and make sure you pay with the right card to maximize your benefits.

The United℠ Explorer Card offers some great benefits like free checked bags, complimentary United Club passes, and priority boarding. But the card’s most valuable perk is poorly understood and often overlooked: Cardholders get access to extra award seats that aren’t available to everyone else.

If you’re one of the unlucky millions that find yourself sans-bag when you arrive at your destination, the knowledge you paid with a credit card featuring Lost Luggage Reimbursement can take the sting out of an unfortunate situation. We break down the differences.

Have you ever rented a car? No doubt you’ve been given the hard sell on purchasing insurance as part of the rental agreement. The fee can range anywhere from $10 to $50 per day depending on factors such as the provider, your age, the country you rent in, the cover offered, and the type of car you’ll be driving.

No matter which state you’re traveling in, one quick call can put you in touch with a roadside assistance dispatch center which will keep you on the phone while organizing the help you need. And the best part? If you hold one of these credit cards, you can use this service up to four times a year free of charge!

Almost every rewards card features ancillary benefits ranging from purchase protection and extended warranty coverage to roadside assistance and a slew of different travel insurance perks. One of the most valuable (and widely used) of these benefits is Trip Delay Reimbursement, which can cover your expenses in the event of a delayed or canceled flight.

For the next month, United and Marriott credit card cardholders can earn double points when purchasing United flights and booking Marriott hotels with one another. United cardholders earn double miles on stays with Marriott, and Marriott cardholders earn double points when booking flights with United.

If you want the benefits of elite status within a hotel program but don’t happen to have that status, leveraging luxury hotel programs could deliver just what you’re looking for. Upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and late check-out are just a few of the perks you’ll be eligible for with the right program.

Signup bonuses are a crucial part of the points and miles puzzle, but they’re not the only way of banking a substantial balance of rewards points. Other methods include signing up to regular promotions offered by credit card providers and loyalty programs, taking advantage of generous referral bonuses which can bring in upwards of 50K points per year, and on select credit cards, scoring bonus points for adding an authorized user to your account.

There are few places on earth that evoke a sense of adventure and exploration like South Africa. In addition to the amazing national parks and the wealth of history in South Africa itself, flying into Johannesburg opens up travel opportunities…