{"id":140960,"date":"2026-06-20T12:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T12:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=140960"},"modified":"2026-07-07T15:56:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T15:56:16","slug":"unheralded-credit-card-perks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/unheralded-credit-card-perks\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Underrated Credit Card Perks the AwardWallet Team Loves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Credit card perks seem to fall into two categories: the ones everyone talks about, and the ones everyone forgets about.<\/p>\n

For example, lounge access and welcome offers get all the attention. But some of the most useful benefits are the ones that don\u2019t seem like a big deal … until they are.<\/p>\n

We asked the AwardWallet team to share their favorite under-the-radar credit card perks. Here\u2019s what they rely on most.<\/p>\n

$100 Resy Credit \u2014 Allie Johnson<\/span><\/h2>\n

The American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a> offers up to $100 annually in statement credits for dining at Resy restaurants<\/a>. After enrolling, you\u2019ll receive up to $50 back every six months at eligible U.S. restaurants.<\/p>\n

What makes this perk especially easy to use: You don\u2019t need to book through Resy. All you need to do is pay at an eligible restaurant with your card, and the credit will apply automatically.<\/p>\n

\"Amex
Credit: Allie Johnson<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

For Allie, this is one of those benefits that gets used without much thought or effort. Living in a metro area with plenty of Resy restaurants \u2014 and already using the card for 4X points on dining \u2014 she uses the credit naturally throughout the year. It\u2019s always a nice bonus to see $50 back on a meal or two when checking your statement.<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> How to Utilize All of the Dining Credits on the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a><\/p>\n

Delta Stays Credit \u2014 Allie Johnson<\/span><\/h2>\n

Allie Johnson<\/a> pointed to the Delta Stays credit<\/a> as a perk that can deliver real value in the right situations. Eligible Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> American Express cardholders can get between $100 and $250 back annually, depending on the card, as a statement credit on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings.<\/p>\n

While she wouldn\u2019t typically book through Delta Stays, this credit has come in handy for her more than once. Most recently, she used it to offset the cost of a one-night stay at a castle hotel in Ireland \u2014 a stay that would have otherwise been pretty pricey.<\/p>\n

\"Fountain
Credit: Allie Johnson<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

She's also used the credit for a near-free night at the Hilton Munich Airport ahead of an early morning flight. For one-off stays like these, the credit can be an easy way to save.<\/p>\n

Return Protection \u2014 Toni Perkins-Southam<\/span><\/h2>\n

The American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> offers return protection<\/a>, which reimburses eligible purchases if a retailer won\u2019t accept a return.<\/p>\n

This benefit can be especially valuable for items with strict or no-return policies. Toni<\/a> used it after purchasing a set of hair extensions that weren't quite the right color. The retailer had a strict policy that any opened extensions could not be returned. She thought she was out of luck, until she remembered her Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>‘s return protection coverage.<\/p>\n

By filing a return protection claim, she was reimbursed about $300 \u2026 turning what could have been a hairy situation into a more “perm”-anent kind of savings.<\/p>\n

Earning and Redeeming Chase Points for Theme Park Tickets \u2014 Carissa Rawson<\/span><\/h2>\n

Carissa<\/a> is a huge fan of theme parks, which is why you\u2019ll often find her on one coast or another riding roller coasters. But scoring a deal on admission tickets isn\u2019t always easy. Annual passes can make sense if you visit frequently, but for occasional trips, ticket prices add up fast.<\/p>\n

Enter the Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a>. This card offers solid earnings on travel and dining purchases. However, it also earns elevated Ultimate Rewards<\/a> on purchases within the Chase Travel\u2120 portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Know what you'll find there? Theme park tickets.<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo
Credit: Chase Travel<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Universal Studios tickets are also available on Chase's site:<\/p>\n

\"Universal
Credit: Chase Travel<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable rewards you can earn. Recent AwardWallet user redemptions<\/a> peg the average value of a Chase point at 2.02\u00a2 each. That means cardholders using the Sapphire Preferred can earn strong value on theme park tickets booked through Chase Travel.<\/p>\n

You can also redeem points directly for tickets through Chase Travel. Redemption values vary based on the booking and any available promotions, but this can still be a useful way to offset the cost of admission.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong>Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Boost: When To Redeem Points This Way and When To Avoid It<\/a><\/p>\n

Up to 25% off Wyndham Award Nights \u2014 Anthony Cave<\/span><\/h2>\n

Anthony Cave<\/a> chose Wyndham\u2019s cardholder award discount as one of his favorite under-the-radar perks. All Wyndham Rewards credit cards<\/a> offer a discount on award redemptions, helping cardholders stretch their points further.<\/p>\n

This discount used to be a flat 10% discount for eligible Wyndham cardholders. But after a recent Wyndham Rewards card update<\/a>, cardholders can now save up to 25% on award nights, depending on which Wyndham card they hold.<\/p>\n

For Anthony, the value ties into a broader strategy. As a Caesars Diamond enthusiast, he shoots for around 40 nights each year at Wyndham properties to maintain his status through the Wyndham\u2013Caesars partnership \u2014 and avoid resort fees at Caesars properties.<\/p>\n

While the Wyndham\u2013Caesars match<\/a> still exists, it requires earned status rather than status granted through a credit card. This award discount helps make that 40-night goal a little easier to reach.<\/p>\n

With transfer options from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards<\/a>, topping off a Wyndham balance has also become easier.<\/p>\n

From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
13 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000
Transfer partner added March 25, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
HSBC Rewards
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1:1<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Wyndham Rewards<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1:2
Transfer partner added April 15, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Accessing Museums for Free or Half-Off \u2014 Senitra Horbrook<\/span><\/h2>\n

“One activity I frequently add to my travel itinerary is visiting museums, and it\u2019s even better when I get free entry using my credit card's perks,” writes Senitra Horbrook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Eligible Capital One Venture X<\/a> cardholders can receive 50% off The Cultivist Enthusiast membership<\/a> for up to two years, bringing the annual cost to $220 during the discounted period.<\/p>\n

Another great way to get free or reduced-price entry to more than 200 museums across the U.S. is through Bank of America's Museums on Us<\/a> program. Anyone with a Bank of America Travel Card<\/a>, cash-back card, or debit card can receive free general admission during the first weekend of each month by showing their card at participating museums.<\/p>\n

Free entry is only valid for the cardholder, but authorized users can also use their card for free entry to the participating museums.<\/p>\n

Enjoying Eurostar Lounge Entry \u2014 Sam Helmy<\/span><\/h2>\n

You probably already know that the American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> offers some of the best lounge access around, but if you hold an eligible card from the U.K., Belgium, France, or an ICC card, your access extends beyond the airport.<\/p>\n

So says Sam Helmy<\/a>, who loves that his version of the Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup> offers complimentary access to Eurostar lounges. These high-speed trains connect several European cities, and eligible travelers passing through London St. Pancras International, Paris Gare du Nord, and Brussels Midi\/Zuid can access Eurostar Premier lounges, depending on their card and travel eligibility.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this does not apply to U.S.-issued Amex Platinum cards.<\/p>\n

Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n

Saving 10% on IHG Redemptions \u2014 JT Genter<\/span><\/h2>\n

Editor-in-Chief JT Genter<\/a> has been a digital nomad for almost nine years.\u00a0He and his wife, Katie, have spent\u00a0countless nights at about every hotel chain you can imagine<\/a>.\u00a0Among their favorites? IHG One Rewards<\/a>. The IHG\u00ae<\/sup> Rewards Select Credit Card<\/a> (no longer open to new applicants) is one you'd have to pry from his hands, thanks to the 10% rebate you receive on all award redemptions.<\/p>\n

Unlike the currently available IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card<\/a>, you don\u2019t need to book four-night stays to receive this benefit. The 10% rebate applies to all award redemptions, regardless of stay length.<\/p>\n

To date, JT has saved 479,535 IHG points<\/strong> with this perk. If you assume just a 0.5 cents per point valuation, that's around $2,400 in value from this one card perk!<\/p>\n

Although this exact perk isn\u2019t available on new IHG cards<\/a>, the current lineup still offers strong value, especially for longer stays, thanks to the fourth-night-free benefit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may have heard of these perks before, whether that's because you've seen an article singing their praises (like this one!) or you've taken advantage of them yourself. Just remember: For all the less-famous credit card benefits<\/a> we've talked about here, there are a dozen more waiting for the right cardholders to utilize.<\/p>\n

If you've got a favorite unheralded credit card perk, let us know what it is in the comments below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Page Contents<\/p>