A $2,000 Lesson in Card Benefits — Reader Mistake Story
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Today, I want to share a story from TPG reader Angel, who overlooked a critical change to his credit card perks:
I took my family to Spain for a month, and got great deals all around on flights, accommodations, auto rental, etc. Hertz upgraded my rental to a really nice Renault that comfortably accommodated the four of us with all of our luggage. I used my Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for the car, as it provides primary rental coverage outside the US.
An unfortunate incident with a bollard in Barçelona caused damage to the tune of €2300. Even more unfortunately, The Platinum Mastercard rental coverage changed in 2018 from rentals of 31 days or fewer to rentals of 15 days or fewer, and I didn’t read the notice from Capital One. When I got home and got the bill along with the news from Mastercard, I realized I should have paid attention to the updated coverage limitations.
The one positive was that I used my status with Hertz to negotiate the amount to damages only, which still left my wallet €1800 lighter. Moral of the story: always review updates to the terms and conditions on your cards, and use your elite status to negotiate to your advantage.
It's hard to get full value from your credit card benefits if you don't know what they are, but getting acquainted with the terms and conditions is easier said than done. Benefits change all the time, and those changes are often subtle enough that you might overlook them if you're not paying close attention. However, memorizing every benefit guide and update notice top to bottom is impractical, so I recommend a more targeted approach to staying informed. Specifically, verify the terms of any benefit you're counting on before you actually need them.
If Angel had researched his collision damage waiver in advance, he would have known it didn't suit his family's itinerary, and he could have used a different card or made other arrangements. Similarly, you might review your delay protection if you're expecting inclement weather before an upcoming flight, or confirm whether your free checked bag extends to travel companions before you pack. Benefit administrators aren't known for their leniency, so you're better off making sure you have permission than begging for forgiveness later.
Rental coverage can be a lifesaver when it works, but it comes with numerous restrictions. In addition to limiting the duration of the rental, some policies exclude certain vehicles (by category, value or both) and countries (Ireland, Italy and Australia are commonly left out). Coverage is also typically limited to physical damages, so you won't be reimbursed for cleaning fees if your car is dirty or smells like smoke when you bring it back. It also won't provide any liability coverage if an accident is your fault. Violating any of the terms can void your claim entirely, so again I strongly recommend looking them over before your next rental.
I appreciate this story, and I hope it can help other readers avoid making the same mistake. In appreciation for sharing this experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I’m sending Angel a $200 airline gift card to enjoy on future travels, and I'd like to do the same for you. Please email your own travel mistake stories to info@thepointsguy.com, and put "Reader Mistake Story" in the subject line. Tell us how things went wrong, and (where applicable) how you made them right. Offer any wisdom you gained from the experience, and explain what the rest of us can do to avoid the same pitfalls.
Feel free to also submit your best travel success stories. If your story is published in either case, I’ll send you a gift to jump-start your next adventure. I look forward to hearing from you, and until then, I wish you a safe and mistake-free journey!
Featured photo by David Ramos/Getty Images.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.
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Rewards Rate
3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees