Credit cards can help you build your credit, and in some cases, give you access to red carpet events. Here, check out some surprising benefits of credit cards that you should know.
How to Build Healthy Habits Around Credit Card Use
While many are already aware of the common benefits of credit cards, such as free credit checks or fraud monitoring or access to airport lounges or travel insurance, there are other lesser-known benefits that may be worth noting. Here, check out some surprising benefits of credit cards that you should know.
Museums
Egyptian mummies, interactive science exhibits, and abstract expressionism are not the things that one immediately associates with credit cards, but Bank of America credit and debit cards come with museum access. Free admission to major cultural institutions is included with Bank of America cards, including the Art Museum in New York City, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center, and over 200 other museums across the United States.
Wine
The only thing better than fresh wine from the vineyard is getting free wine from the vineyard. A Visa Signature or Visa Infinite credit card comes with special perks at over 50 wineries in Sonoma County, California. Some benefits, which vary by winery, include complimentary tastings, preferred pricing on select bottles, discounts on wine purchased on the same day as tasting sessions, and special wine-and-food pairings. It’s nice that the wine discount sometimes comes with discounted food to soak up some of the tasting!
Free Flights
Credit card points that can be redeemed for travel, including flights, are one thing. An actual free plane ticket is something entirely different. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card comes with a free companion ticket each year upon renewal (the annual fee is $195). The free flight is limited to an economy seat within the contiguous 48 states in the U.S. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card costs a bit more at $450 a year but comes with priority status upgrades that elevate cardholders to first or business class over other elite-status passengers. Both cards include access to airport lounges (can anyone say “unlimited wet naps?”).
Cash for Good Grades
A unique and fantastic benefit comes with the Discover It Student Cash Back and Discover It Student Chrome cards, which offer a statement credit to college students who earn good grades. Forget seeking parental approval for good grades in college; now, students can earn $20 annually for up to five years if they maintain a 3.0 GPA. What college student couldn’t use some extra cash in their pocket?
Event Tickets
Who would have thought a card pass could get you a spot on the red carpet? Another lesser-known benefit of credit cards is special event tickets. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (which costs $95 a year) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (which costs $550 a year) come with an added perk of purchasing tickets to special events using rewards points, including the Emmy Awards, the Sundance Film Festival, and scheduled events at Madison Square Garden, including national hockey games. Additionally, the card’s new benefits include a $50 annual hotel credit, exclusive access to highly sought-after restaurant reservations across the country, and an annual subscription to DoorPass, a Door Dash subscription service.
Access
Advanced Airport
No, it’s not a flight in the cockpit, but it’s the next best thing. The American Express Platinum Card (with an annual fee of $695) includes complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges. The lounges are a significant upgrade from the typical airport lounge experience. They feature gourmet cuisine inspired by local flavors, upscale bars, family rooms, and more. Most importantly, access includes complimentary spa treatments, including massage therapy.
Trips
Your credit card benefits literally take you further with rideshare services and cash available for travel. The Platinum Card from American Express comes with up to $200 in Uber credits each year, along with other perks. The Citi Prestige Card offers $250 annually in credit that can be used for limousine services or other travel expenses.
Source: https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/surprising-credit-card-benefits
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