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7 pandemic-related card perks that are ending in 2021

Chris Dong
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Chris Dong was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel.
Dec. 27, 2021
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7 min read
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For over a year, credit card companies offered a host of limited-time perks and benefits to encourage cardholders to hold on to travel rewards cards during the pandemic.

While most issuers have returned back to business-as-usual benefits, a few cards continued to offer limited-time perks through the end of 2021.

Well, some of these benefits are set to end at the close of this year. Here's a look at seven of them — and how you can take advantage before it's too late.

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Chase Sapphire cards

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Peloton digital membership benefit (ends Dec. 31)

In late 2020, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders began receiving statement credits that could be used to cover monthly Peloton Digital ($13) and All-Access ($39) memberships. However, that is set to end on Dec. 31.

In particular, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders could earn up to $120 in statement credits, while Chase Sapphire Preferred Card cardholders could earn up to $60 in statement credits.

Peloton bonus points benefit (ends March 31)

(Photo by Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

In addition, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 10x points on Peloton Bike, Tread and accessory purchase over $1,800, with a maximum earning of 50,000 points.

Meanwhile, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 5x points on Peloton Bike, Tread and accessory purchase over $1,800, with a maximum earning of 25,000 points.

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DoorDash benefit (ends Dec. 31)

(Photo by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

The DoorDash credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve is ending on Dec. 31.

In the 2021 calendar year (as well as 2020), Reserve cardholders received up to $60 in DoorDash credit. To use this year’s $60 in DoorDash credit, valid until Dec. 31, simply use your Sapphire Reserve card to pay for your DoorDash order. You should then see offsetting statement credits up to the $60 maximum within a few days.

In addition to the credit, Chase Sapphire cardholders also received a complimentary one-year DashPass membership. Be sure to check when your membership is up as it may renew at the full $9.99 monthly price. If you haven't activated yet, you have until March 31 to do so.

Flexible use of annual travel credit (ends Dec. 31)

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit that will automatically cover a broad range of travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. However, through Dec. 31, your travel credit will also apply toward gas and grocery purchases. This extra flexibility is ending in just a few days' time.

American Express cards

(Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)

Dining credit on personal cobranded cards (ends Dec. 31)

Whether you’re dining in or taking out, select cobranded Amex cardholders could have earned up to $220 in card statement credits in 2021 at U.S. restaurants, depending on the type of card you have.

To qualify, you must have been a cardholder as of Jan. 1, 2021, and enrollment was required through Amex Offers.

Delta SkyMiles cards

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: $15 back per month at U.S. restaurants.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants.

Hilton Honors cards

  • Hilton Honors American Express Card: $5 back per month at U.S. restaurants.
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants.
  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants.

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.

Marriott Bonvoy cards

  • Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card: $10 back per month at U.S. restaurants.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card: $20 back per month at U.S. restaurants.

Wireless credit on business cobranded cards (ends Dec. 31)

For small-business cardholders, you could've also earned up to $220 in statement credits in 2021 on U.S. wireless telephone services.

Similar to the consumer card dining credits above, you also must've been a cardholder as of Jan. 1, 2021, and enrollment was required through Amex Offers

Delta SkyMiles cards

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: $10 back per month on U.S. wireless services.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: $15 back per month on U.S. wireless services.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: $20 back per month on U.S. wireless services.

Hilton Honors cards

  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $10 back per month on U.S. wireless services.

Marriott Bonvoy cards

  • Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: $15 back per month on U.S. wireless services.

Status and points boosts (ends Dec. 31)

(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Select Delta cardholders earned 25% more Medallion Qualification Miles with an elevated Status Boost perk in 2021.

In addition, eligible Delta Gold, Platinum and Reserve Amex cardholders could earn 5 miles per dollar (that’s up to 3 additional miles per dollar on top of the miles they already earn) on eligible Delta purchases through Dec. 31.

Finally, Hilton bonus points earned through purchases on cobranded Hilton Honors cards through Dec. 31 were considered base points that count toward elite tier qualification and lifetime Diamond status.

Citi card

Flexible use of annual travel credit (ends Dec. 31)

Although the Citi Prestige® Card is no longer open to new applicants, many TPG readers still have the once-lucrative product.

Citi Prestige cardholders get a travel credit of up to $250 every calendar year for travel purchases. Specifically, you’ll automatically get a statement credit for the first $250 of travel purchases that you make each year. This credit applies to a wide variety of travel purchases; plus, through the end of 2021, Citi Prestige cardholders could use the travel credit for purchases at supermarkets and restaurants.

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

Bottom line

Credit card issuers launched a host of value-added perks since the onset of the pandemic, but the few remaining ones are set to expire at the end of this year. As we witness the omicron variant surge throughout the U.S. and beyond, will we see the rise of some new, limited-time benefits in 2022? Only time will tell.

Featured image by (Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
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.