Easy, Useful Credit Card Benefits
From what I’ve read and heard, the credit card benefits discourse has passed the irony threshold. It seems more people sarcastically pontificate than genuinely engage on the breadth of card perks we acquire in the points and travel hobby. In any related development, many race to issue the same tired, unoriginal punchline. Heads up, your complaints mean nothing to me (although you’re welcome to annually care about mine).
I want to spin positive today, though, and talk about a few simple, useful credit card benefits that most any of the following cardholders can easily enjoy.
Bank of America Museums on Us
BoA has proudly offered the Museums on Us benefit to cardholders for 25 years. During the first full weekend of each month, BoA and Merrill credit and debit cardholders obtain free admission to these sites. Specifically, only the cardholder is eligible for the free admission, and they should be ready to share their photo ID for complimentary access.
Currently, 225 locations participate in the Museums on Us benefit. Whether at home or while traveling, I never seem to run out of options here. And, if you haven’t noticed, museums have gotten much more expensive. In my experiences traveling with my family, my wife and I have each showed our BoA cards for free admission. We’ll end up paying for our two little ones but have been able to use other discounts like AAA for theirs (YMMV).
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Dining Credit
Many Marriott loyalists hold the Brilliant Amex to unlock Bonvoy Platinum elite status, which enables complimentary – and sometimes frustratingly-complex – breakfast at a variety of chains. I can also understand the frustration at this $650 annual fee card only offering mid-tier Platinum when the cheaper Hilton Amex Aspire offers top Diamond status. But the Brilliant comes with an undeniably easier perk, and it doesn’t involve hotel charges.
Brilliant cardholders pick up $300 in annual dining credits, doled out in $25 monthly increments. Sure, something other than a use-or-lose monthly credit may be nicer, but who can’t reasonably spend $25 monthly at restaurants? The credit’s even better in that it triggers on any charge that codes as dining. Cardholders aren’t stuck with a select list of restaurants. And think out of the box here, including destinations that provide other services but oh-by-the-way offer food or drinks. I routinely visit one such location for a few hours at a time.
Amex Gold and Platinum Uber Cash
Speaking of Amex, I must mention the Uber Cash benefit from the Amex Gold and Platinum. Gold cardholders automatically receive $10 monthly in their Uber wallets. Platinum cardholders pick up $15 monthly in January through November and $35 in December.
And this benefit plays nicely with individuals holding multiple cards, whether in two-player mode with a spouse/domestic partner or not. All cards in the same account aggregate the balance in the overall wallet. This cash piles on any other gift card balances an individual loads to the account. But have no fear – the Amex monthly Uber Cash is used first before any additional balance. Uber doesn’t require a cardholder to link to their own account, either. Therefore, those in the hobby with another player can add all cards with this benefit to the same wallet, ensuring additional “free” for more, significant, and flexible purchases.
Plus, this cash stacks with Uber promos and discounts. Uber Cash can be used to buy an Uber One membership, also. Indeed, I recently stacked this with an annual promo rate. Uber now requires an Amex card for all charges beyond the wallet balance, but for those attentively playing the game, that’s an insignificant development.
Chase Sapphire Reserve DoorDash Benefits
DoorDash benefits stretch across multiple Chase cards but are most prominent on the Sapphire Reserve. A bit more involved than Amex’s Uber Cash benefit, the perks from the Reserve provide three noteworthy benefits. First off, primary Reserve cardholders unlock complimentary DashPass membership, providing a variety of perks. Reserve cardholders pick up $5 to spend monthly. This now appears to be a benefit which can’t be accumulated over three months like before, but it still stacks with other discounts and promos, in my experience.
And Chase recently added a new benefit where Reserve cardholders obtain two promos worth up to $10 off grocery, convenience, or other non-restaurant DoorDash orders. (But there are ways around that last one.) Reserve cardholders who order on DoorDash anyway can easily come out ahead with these three benefits.
FNBO Amtrak Mastercard 5% Rebate
I’ve been mainstream enough up to this point, so it’s time to get just a bit weird. The Amtrak credit cards have offered a 5% rebate on award bookings for many years, and that’s no different in their current iteration with First National Bank of Omaha. I’m specifically highlighting the no-fee Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard’s benefit, because it provides the same 5% rebate as the $99 annual fee AGR Preferred Mastercard. Cardholders receive this benefit as 5% of their points deposited back into their AGR accounts after an award booking. This essentially makes Amtrak points, already in the 2.5 to 3 cents per point range, worth even more.
Credit Card Benefits – Conclusion
I’m certainly not saying these are the top five easiest benefits to use. Indeed, these cards and perks aren’t for everyone. However, each of these benefits are simple enough for cardholders, existing or prospective, to realize some value. What similar perks with other cards do you suggest? I encourage this helpful discussion more, while credit card benefits nihilists suck time complaining. Relax and enjoy!
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
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Credit means you pay first then the transaction posted and if it’s valid you get credit same like how Amex works
I have Amex Gold and get the 10.00 Uber credit each month. Do I have to use that each month? Or will it keep adding to my balance.
Use it or lose it.