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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.
News
7 pandemic-related card perks that are ending in 2021
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
December 27, 2021 • 7 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
Several limited-time cardholder perks introduced during the pandemic are expiring at the end of 2021.
Benefits ending include statement credits for fitness memberships, food delivery, dining at U.S. restaurants, and wireless services.
Temporary expansions of travel credits to cover gas, groceries, supermarkets and restaurants will also revert to standard categories.
Some loyalty program status and points-earning boosts are concluding, impacting elite qualification and bonus earning rates.
What to consider
Most expiring benefits require action by December 31, with a few allowing activation or use through March 31.
Eligibility for certain statement credits depended on cardholder status as of January 1, 2021, and may have required enrollment.
Some offers are no longer available; check current terms before planning to use any benefit.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which perks are ending, how to maximize remaining benefits, and specific deadlines for each expiring offer.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Comments
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.
