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Hidden Credit Card Benefits You’re Not Using (25 You Should Use)
July 1, 2025
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Benefits vary by issuer and card type. Always verify current terms directly with your card issuer before relying on coverage or credits.
Why So Many Credit Card Benefits Go Unused
Credit card marketing often highlights only cash back or miles, burying more obscure benefits in fine print. Cardholders rarely read their benefit guides or call to activate insurance and credits. Some perks are passive (you must file a claim) or conditional (you must use the card for the purchase). Many expire or require registration—like price protection or cell phone insurance.
If you don’t review your benefits yearly, you could be missing hundreds of dollars in value.
25 Hidden Credit Card Benefits You Should Be Using
Below is a categorized breakdown of perks that often fly under the radar. Check your own card’s terms to see which ones you already have.
Purchase & Protection Benefits
- Purchase protection – repairs or replaces items damaged or stolen within 90–120 days
- Extended warranty – adds a year to manufacturer coverage
- Return protection – reimburses you if a store refuses your return
- Price protection – refunds the difference if an item’s price drops
- Cell phone insurance – covers damage or theft if you pay your phone bill with your card
- Supplemental purchase insurance – covers accidental damage on certain items
- Damage waiver on electronics or appliances
Travel & Transit Perks
- Trip cancellation or interruption insurance – refunds nonrefundable costs
- Trip delay reimbursement – covers meals or lodging if a flight is delayed
- Baggage delay or loss protection – reimburses for lost or delayed bags
- Travel accident insurance – covers serious injuries during a trip
- Rental car collision damage waiver – many cards offer this as primary coverage
- No foreign transaction fees – saves ~3% per international purchase
- Airport lounge access – includes Priority Pass or partner lounges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit – reimburses enrollment fees
- Travel and concierge services – assistance with bookings or dining
- Complimentary upgrades – automatic hotel or rental car elite status
Statement Credits & Discounts
- Monthly credits for dining, streaming, or travel
- Subscription rebates for fitness, streaming, or phone plans
- Retail and partner discounts (often 10% or more)
- Wireless plan credits or device discounts
- Grocery or utility cash-back through limited-time offers
- Event or concert presale access
- Rideshare or car service credits
- Pet insurance or health discounts (offered by select niche cards)
Use Kudos to automatically monitor your credit cards and remind you of hidden perks. It can scan your accounts and flag underused benefits so you never miss out on value you already have.
How to Audit and Enable These Benefits
- Download your card’s benefit guide.
- Search for key words like “protection,” “credit,” or “insurance.”
- Register or activate optional perks such as cell phone coverage.
- Use the card for eligible purchases (especially travel).
- Set reminders to review benefits each year.
- Keep digital copies of receipts for claims—proof is often required.
FAQs
Do all credit cards offer these benefits?
Yes and no. Many mid- and premium-tier cards include several of these perks. Entry-level or no-fee cards may skip them or limit coverage. Always check your guide to benefits.
Are these benefits automatic?
Often not. You usually have to activate or claim them. Some, like trip cancellation insurance, apply automatically if you booked the purchase with that card.
Can I use more than one perk for the same transaction?
Yes. You might use both price protection and return protection for one item, or combine trip delay coverage and lounge access on a flight you booked with the card.
Will using perks affect my credit score or add fees?
No. They’re free features included with your card’s annual fee. Claiming them doesn’t affect your credit.
Are there limits or caps?
Yes. Most have annual or per-claim limits—often around $500 per incident or $5,000 per year. Always review the fine print.
Conclusion
You’re probably sitting on hundreds of dollars in unused value. The difference between a “good” card and a “great” one is how many perks you actually use.
Start by reviewing your card’s guide today, then activate every perk you qualify for. And when you’re ready to make it effortless, Kudos can help. It tracks your cards, reminds you of hidden benefits, and helps you get more from every swipe.
Take five minutes now—search “protection” or “credit” in your card’s benefits PDF—and see what you’ve been missing.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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