6 of our favorite under-the-radar credit card perks
Editor's Note
If you read TPG regularly, you probably know about the most common, most beneficial credit card perks out there — things like purchase protections and a lack of foreign transaction fees.
However, there are still other powerful perks in the fine print of credit card agreements, too.
Today, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite under-the-radar benefits on cards that have helped me over the years.
Cellphone protection
A perk on my Ink Business Preferred® Card
Instead of paying extra for smartphone insurance from a mobile provider, some credit card holders are already covered if their devices are damaged or stolen.
For example, the Ink Business Preferred that I carry covers the cost of replacing a customer's phone up to $1,000 per claim for up to three claims in a 12-month period (subject to a $100 deductible per claim).
Related: Best cards for cellphone protection
Reminder about free trials ending
A perk for all Visa and Mastercards
I've lost count of how many subscriptions I've signed up for. You'll appreciate this perk if you hate being billed at the end of a free trial period — just because you forgot to set a reminder to cancel.
Both Visa and Mastercard have instituted rules that merchants must abide by when billing cardholders after a free trial promotion. For instance, Visa's rule says that merchants must send a reminder notification — such as an email or text — at least seven days before initiating a recurring transaction after a trial, introductory offer or promotional period is about to expire. In addition, each payment after the trial must include a receipt with instructions for canceling if you decide to do so.
Related: Best cards for streaming services
Instant card number
A perk on my American Express® Green Card
While this perk didn't save me money immediately, it will help me earn a welcome bonus faster. If you've ever been approved for a credit card and wanted to use it towards a big purchase right away, many issuers have simply said "tough luck."
Since so many purchases are happening digitally nowadays, I appreciate that most American Express card members can immediately start using their new cards digitally once an application is approved.
The information for the Amex Green 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.
Related: Credit cards that offer instant card numbers upon approval
Amex and Chase Offers
A perk on all of my Amex and Chase cards
Additionally, Amex and Chase merchant offers have been incredibly helpful. These offers can help offset the cost of card annual fees since they're available for shopping that I would already do anyway.
All American Express cards, including ones I have, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, come with access to Amex Offers.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex 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.
You'll see all the Amex Offers available to you if you scroll down to "Amex Offers & Benefits" on your online account page or click on the "Offers" tab in the Amex app. Typically, these are bonus Membership Rewards points or cash back promotions for spending a minimum amount with a specific retailer.
Chase has something similar with its Chase Offers program. However, I find Chase's program to be less lucrative overall since there are fewer retailer options, and offers are generally not as highly discounted.
Roadside assistance
Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer roadside assistance, which covers up to $50 for each "service event," up to four events each year, when you run into car trouble.
For most issuers, if you find yourself in a jam, you'll just have to call the issuer's roadside assistance hotline and get connected to an agent. Once they confirm you're a cardholder through your phone number, they'll ask for some details of my issue and send someone out to help.
Streaming benefits
Finally, several cards offer nifty benefits and credits for streaming services, including some of the most popular ones like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu and Paramount+.
The Amex Platinum, for example, offers up to $20 per month in digital entertainment credits, and the credits can be used with Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times as long as you pay the merchant directly. You'll pay first and then receive reimbursement an average of two days later. You can also use the card's Walmart+ membership for free access to Paramount+. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
There's also the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers a $7 statement credit each month (up to $84 back annually) after spending $9.99 or more each month on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) using your card. Enrollment is required in advance; subscription subject to auto-renewal.
Use these or other cards to save money ahead of your next streaming binge.
Bottom line
No matter what cards you have in your wallet, it's important to comb through the terms and conditions to understand other perks that may be available to you simply for being a customer.
From keeping you covered when you're driving a rental car to paying you extra points for staying in shape, many credit cards come with some extra reasons to swipe, or even simply have in the sock drawer.
Related: The complete guide to Amex Offers and The complete guide to Chase Offers