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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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8 unique credit card benefits you won’t find elsewhere
Senitra is a credit cards expert and TPG contributor. Senitra spent seven years working in marketing, has been a freelance writer for numerous websites and worked as a full-time reporter and editor for several daily and weekly newspapers in Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has been quoted on her credit card expertise in MarketWatch, Consumer Reports and Kiplinger.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
August 13, 2024 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Many credit cards offer lesser-known perks beyond common features like no foreign transaction fees or travel credits.
Unique benefits can include free museum entry, cellphone protection, instant card numbers, and exclusive discounts with select merchants.
Some cards provide valuable travel perks such as companion flight certificates, hotel upgrades, complimentary meals, and lounge access with premium amenities.
Additional features may include statement credits for memberships, free shipping, and special promotions without extra registration steps.
What to consider
Eligibility for certain perks may require specific actions, such as paying your cellphone bill with the card or enrolling in a program.
Some benefits have exclusions or limits, such as coverage caps for cellphone protection or restrictions on free museum entry to special events.
A few offers and promotions mentioned may no longer be available, so terms can change frequently.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of nine lesser-known credit card perks and practical tips for maximizing each benefit.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
There's a good chance your credit card has some valuable benefits you might not know about. Most cards come with additional features like extended warranties, zero liability and identity theft protections, free credit monitoring and even roadside assistance.
But some credit cards go even further, offering unique perks that are hard to find anywhere else. Here are nine interesting credit card perks you may not know about.
Free museum entry
Bank of America credit and debit cards offer free access to more than 225 museums across the U.S. on the first full weekend of every month under the Museums on Us program. All you need to do is show your Bank of America-issued card and photo ID.
You can't get guests in for free, but most reports I've read indicate that authorized users are also eligible.
INTREPID SEA, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
This deal excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Facilities available to cardholders include New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center.
Cellphone protection gives you peace of mind because it can cover you if your phone is ever damaged or stolen. Some pay for this through their wireless carrier or a third-party insurance company, which can sometimes cost $100 or more annually.
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Fortunately, the number of credit cards that offer cellphone protection has grown in recent years, though it's still not a standard perk for the average cardmember. To take advantage of this, you'll typically need to pay at least part of your cellphone bill using your credit card — though in some cases, you need to pay the entire bill for the benefit to apply.
It's also important to note that many cellphone protection plans on credit cards won't entirely cover those top-tier phones that cost upward of $1,000. Many credit cards offering this coverage will only cover up to $600 per claim.
Examples of cards that include cellphone protection include the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees), the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
Instant credit card number
Having instant access to credit can sometimes be a much-needed perk. This is especially true for people who face an emergency expense and don't have enough saved up to cover it.
Unfortunately, once you're approved for a credit card, most major credit card issuers make you wait until your credit card arrives in the mail before you can start using it. That can often take 7 to 10 days, if not longer.
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However, some credit cards let eligible cardmembers whose identities can be quickly authenticated begin making purchases immediately upon approval.
The few major issuers that offer this feature typically only offer it on a limited number of their credit cards, but American Express makes this feature available on most consumer card products.
Flight perks
Frequent travelers can earn plenty of discounts and cash back rewards when they use travel credit cards. But the right credit card will come with even more perks — and may even allow you to bring a companion for a fraction of the cost of a second ticket.
NICOLAS ECONOMOU/GETTY
One of the best hidden gems is the Delta companion certificate. This perk comes every year you renew select Delta cards. You still have to pay taxes and fees, but it's a small price to pay to score a free round-trip domestic flight for a companion.
These unique flight perks aren't reserved just for airline cards. If you prefer a more well-rounded card, both the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express come with an airline incidentals fee statement credit of up to $200 every year. This counts toward incidental airline fees charged on the card at one qualifying airline. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Hotel upgrades and complimentary perks
Hotel-branded credit cards come with a decent amount of perks. These could include room upgrades, complimentary meals or a free hotel night on a cardmember's anniversary.
But the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) from Chase takes things a step further, as the card offers a fourth night reward on award stays of three or more consecutive nights.
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There's no limit to this benefit — you can even book an eight-night stay and get both the fourth and eighth nights free. It's incredibly easy to use: Once you open the card, the discount will automatically be applied when you make a reservation with points from your linked IHG One Rewards account.
If you want more flexibility in where you stay, the $895 annual fee Amex Platinum Card (see rates and fees) and $895 annual fee Business Platinum Card (see rates and fees) offer plenty of premium benefits. Both provide automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott and access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program (enrollment required).
This includes valuable perks like a room upgrade, if available, and complimentary daily breakfast for two. For consumer and business Amex Platinum cardmembers, you'll enjoy up to $600 in annual statement credits (up to $300 biannually) for prepaid bookings at FHR and THC properties (THC requires a minimum two-night stay).
Lounge access with VIP perks
Whether you travel for business or leisure, airport lounge access offers a chance to escape the often hectic bustle of the airport. There, you can clean up, eat, rest or enjoy the many complimentary amenities that help make any journey more relaxed.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Depending on the location and the credit card you use, there's no telling what VIP perks you'll find: Food created by renowned local chefs, family areas, shower suites or even complimentary spa treatments that include a massage.
Plenty of travel rewards credit cards provide some level of lounge access, so do your research and find the one that's right for your travel habits.
The Amex Platinum comes with an up to $155 Walmart+ statement credit each calendar year (up to $12.95 per month for one membership fee; Plus Ups not eligible; subject to auto-renewal). This perk has the potential to make life a little bit easier for a lot of households. Enrollment required.
With a Walmart+ membership, you can have your Walmart groceries delivered to you for free on the same day you place your order. You also get free shipping without having to worry about minimum orders on items shipped by Walmart. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges.
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Just keep in mind that this perk is only for a monthly membership. If you try to purchase the yearly subscription for $98, you'll miss out on the credit.
If you have a World Elite Mastercard, you're eligible for special discounts and promotions with certain popular services. Cardholders can receive up to $5 off an eligible monthly Peacock subscription and two months of complimentary Instacart+ (Instacart benefit ends March 31, 2025), among other discounts and promotions.
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The best part about these discounts is that you don't have to register for these offers or go through a special link — just use your World Elite Mastercard to pay, and the promotion will be applied to your account automatically.
Bottom line
There's a good chance that a card already in your wallet has a benefit you don't know about. When you're planning to open a new credit card, make sure to compare all of the features and benefits of the cards you're considering. The right credit card perks can save you money and make your life more enjoyable.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
