March roundup: The latest credit card benefit changes you need to know

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

For over a year, credit card issuers adjusted to a temporary normal where people were traveling less. However, with hopefully the worst of the pandemic behind us, people are hitting the road once again.

While most issuers have returned back to business-as-usual card benefits, a few cards continue to offer limited-time non-travel perks. And one card has been entirely refreshed. Each month, we'll be compiling a list of some of the major card benefit updates that were recently announced to keep you in the know.

Whether you missed the news or want to maximize a perk that's set to expire, let's dive right into what benefit updates we're paying attention to for July — issuer by issuer — for some of the best credit cards on the market today.

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American Express

In early 2021, Amex unveiled an array of updated card benefits for both Membership Rewards-earning cards and cobranded credit cards. These limited-time promotions were all announced as part of changes to keep cardholders engaged during the pandemic.

In July, The Platinum Card® from American Express was heavily revamped, including an increased annual fee from $550 to $695 (see rates and fees).

Top card benefit updates

Here is a card-by-card look at each of the Amex changes.

Card affected: The Platinum Card from American Express

(Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

In total, Amex introduced more than $900 in new credits for an annual fee increase of $145 (enrollment is required for select benefits). However, it’s clear from the specific nature of several of these credits that most cardholders will not be able to fully utilize all of these perks.

Although Amex is adding new Platinum perks and raising the card’s annual fee, they aren’t eliminating or changing the card’s existing benefits. Here's a snapshot of the benefits.

New benefit	Annual amount	Notes
Prepaid hotel booking credit	Up to $200	Statement credits valid on prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties made through American Express Travel
CLEAR® membership credit	Up to $189	An annual statement credit for a Clear membership. Enrollment required.
Digital entertainment credit	Up to $240	$20 monthly statement credits and applicable only for Audible, The New York Times, SiriusXM and Peacock. Enrollment required.
Equinox credit	Up to $300	$25 monthly statement credits to select Equinox memberships or a digital subscription to Equinox+ fitness app. Enrollment required.

On the dining front, Amex is fully integrating Resy as part of a new initiative after acquiring the restaurant reservations platform two years ago.

The Global Dining Access program by Resy gives Platinum cardholders exclusive reservations at some of the world’s top restaurants, along with access to premium events.

That access includes prime time tables at many of the most in-demand restaurants across the U.S. and internationally, including Carbone New York, Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, Lilia, The Grey, Osteria Mozza and many more.

Finally, Platinum cardholders now get up to 40% off the private jet program with Wheels Up. For instance, the initiation fee for the Wheels Up Core membership for Platinum cardholders is $10,500, 40% off the standard initiation fee of $17,500.

Card affected: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

While the consumer Platinum card saw a significant increase to its annual fee to coincide with new perks, the Business Platinum card's annual fee remained the same at $595 (see rates and fees).

However, Business Platinum cardholders are now eligible for the Clear membership statement credit (enrollment required), the Global Dining Access program by Resy and a discounted Wheels Up private jet membership (listed above).

Delivery Cyclist with Green Uber Eats Backpack — (Photo by Wiewimage/Shutterstock)

Cards affected: Select Delta Amex cards

Whether you’re dining in or taking out, select cobranded Amex cardholders can earn up to $20 per month in card statement credits at U.S. restaurants through the end of 2021, depending on the type of card. To qualify, you must have been a cardholder as of Jan. 1, and enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Up to $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Up to $15 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$250 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Up to $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$550 annual fee (see rates and fees).

A photo of all three Amex Delta Skymiles Business Gold Reserve Platinum Card Group — (Photo by The Points Guy)

For small-business cardholders, you can earn up to $20 per month in statement credits through December on U.S. wireless telephone services.

According to Amex, for something to qualify under this category, “the purchase must be for monthly wireless telephone service charges and made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the United States.”

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Up to $10 back per month on U.S. wireless services through December.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Up to $15 back per month on U.S. wireless services through December.
$250 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Up to $20 back per month on U.S. wireless services through December.
$550 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Bonus points on Delta purchases: Eligible Delta Gold, Platinum and Reserve Amex cardholders can earn 5x miles (that’s up to 3x additional miles on top of the miles they already earn) on eligible Delta purchases through Dec. 31.

Status Boost offer: Additionally, as previously reported, in 2021 you’ll be able to receive 25% more Medallion Qualification Miles with an elevated Status Boost perk. This will help cardholders reach Medallion status faster — and is open to both current and new card applicants.

Cards affected: Select Hilton Amex cards

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Up to $5 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$0 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Up to $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$95 annual fee (see rates & fees).

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Up to $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$450 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Up to $10 back per month on U.S. wireless services through December.
$95 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Bonus points earned through eligible purchases through Dec. 31 will be considered base points that count toward elite tier qualification and lifetime Diamond status.

All newly issued fre e weekend night reward certificates will be valid through Dec. 31, 2022 (and will be valid any night of the week).

Cards affected: Select Marriott Amex cards

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

Up to $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
No longer open to new cardholders.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

Up to $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants through December.
$450 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Up to $15 back per month on U.S. wireless services through December.
$125 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Card spending offer, up to 75,000 Bonvoy bonus points: You can earn 7,500 additional Marriott Bonvoy points — worth $60 according to TPG valuations — after spending $7,500 on purchases (up to 10 times) through Dec. 31. Note that eligibility for this offer includes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, Marriott Bonvoy Business and select Marriott Bonvoy cardmembers.

Top card bonuses and benefits that are ending

Keep in mind that Amex's monthly and biannual card benefits (such as the up-to-$120 annual dining credit with the American Express Gold Card and the Uber Cash and Saks credit with the Amex Platinum; (enrollment required) do not roll over, so if you don't use them in the month, half-year or year (depending on the exact perk), then its value entirely goes away. Enrollment is required for select benefits. And the Amex Platinum card's $30 monthly PayPal credit ended on June 30.

Chase

Chase made significant updates last fall for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve and many other cobranded travel cards. Additionally, Chase announced that several programs will be extended well into 2021 — including the popular Pay Yourself Back points redemption option (extended until Sept 30, 2021).