Hidden Perks in Credit Card Deals Most People Don’t Use

The Federal Reserve reports that more than 191 million American adults possess at least one credit card. The majority of credit card users make daily purchases and collect rewards points but billions of dollars in additional benefits remain unused because consumers lack awareness of these benefits.

The “hidden perks” represent genuine protections and discounts and emergency services which provide financial savings and emergency protection. The banks fail to advertise these benefits which exist within the detailed terms of cardholder agreements.

This article reveals the most neglected benefits found in American credit card deals by explaining their operation and providing step-by-step instructions for activation.

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Purchase Protection — Your Built-in Safety Net

The majority of U.S. credit cards provide automatic purchase protection which covers theft and damage or loss during a specified time frame after purchase (usually 90–120 days).

Example: Your card purchase protection will refund or replace your $600 smartphone if you drop it during the first two months of ownership without requiring you to pay additional costs.

How to activate:

• Save your purchase receipts because digital copies serve as valid documentation.
• Contact your bank to file a claim before the 90-day deadline.
• Show evidence of damage or theft together with your purchase documentation.

To further reduce unexpected bank charges, check out our guide — Bank Fees Decoded: How to Avoid Paying Unnecessary Charges.

The flexibility of this benefit exceeds typical store return policies according to Pro Tip.

Extended Warranty — Doubling Your Coverage

Many American credit cards provide free extended warranty coverage of up to 12 months for eligible products purchased through their cards.

Example: When you purchase a laptop with a 1-year warranty through your credit card you might receive an additional year of protection at no extra cost.

Common coverage:

• Electronics
• Appliances
• Watches and jewelry

Cell Phone Protection — Skip the Carrier Insurance

What it is: Some U.S. cards will protect your phone from theft or damage if you pay your monthly bill with that card.

Typical coverage:

• $600–$1,000 per claim
• $25–$50 deductible
• 2–3 claims per year

Travel Perks You Didn’t Know You Had

Free Airport Lounge Access

Premium travel cards provide worldwide airport lounge access through Priority Pass and comparable programs which offer benefits exceeding hundreds of dollars in value.

Trip Cancellation and Delay Insurance

Your credit card will reimburse you for meals and lodging expenses and rebooking fees when your flight experiences delays or cancellations due to covered reasons.

Smart spending habits can go hand-in-hand with travel savings — learn more in The 24-Hour Rule: How Delayed Decisions Save Thousands.

Price Protection — Get Refunds When Prices Drop

What it is: Your credit card will refund the price difference if you bought an item that goes on sale within a specified time frame (usually 60–120 days).

Example: You purchase a $1,000 TV which later becomes available for $800 so your card returns $200 to you.

Note: Many major U.S. issuers have cut this benefit in recent years, so check your card’s guide.

Concierge Services — Your Personal Assistant

High-end U.S. credit cards provide complimentary 24/7 concierge services to their cardholders. These services can assist you with:

• Book hard-to-get restaurant reservations
• Find event tickets
• Plan travel itineraries

Free Credit Score Monitoring

Many U.S. cards now provide free monthly access to FICO or VantageScore scores.

Monitoring your score through this service enables you to detect identity theft at an early stage and obtain better financial products.

Quick Comparison Table of Hidden Perks

Perk	Potential Value/Year	Example Cards
Purchase Protection	$500–$1,000	Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Amex Gold
Extended Warranty	$100–$500	Citi Double Cash, Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Cell Phone Protection	$600–$1,000	Wells Fargo Active Cash, Capital One Venture X
Lounge Access	$300–$500	Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Trip Delay Insurance	$200–$500	Chase Sapphire Preferred
Price Protection	$50–$500	Citi cards (select)
Concierge Service	Varies	Amex Platinum, Citi Prestige
Credit Monitoring	$120+	Discover it®, Capital One Quicksilver

How to Unlock These Perks

1. Check your cardholder agreement because different cards offer different benefits so you need to understand what your card provides.
2. You need to activate programs because airport lounge networks and shopping portals require activation.
3. You should maintain all receipts and documentation because they serve as necessary proof for claims.
4. Select the appropriate credit card based on the purchase type because this matches your rewards benefits to your spending habits.

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The U.S. uses credit cards for financial protection and cost reduction purposes beyond their basic payment and rewards functions. The majority of Americans fail to utilize half of the benefits their credit cards provide.

You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars annually through your card’s fine print analysis and strategic purchase of perks without additional spending.

When you fail to use these concealed benefits you miss out on both free money and protection.