
20+ Credit Card Benefits You’re Probably Not Using
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#284: Chris breaks down the credit card benefits that save real money but rarely get attention, from getting a cracked iPhone repaired for free to purchase protections, travel coverage, and a deep bench of lesser-known perks. Learn exactly which card to reach for on every purchase, so you're always covered and never leaving money on the table.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/
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Resources Mentioned
Tools & Apps
- CardPointers: 30% off (50% off for ATH Members)
- GigSky
- The Cultivist
Benefit Programs
- Sapphire Tables (via OpenTable)
- Resy
- Mastercard Priceless
- Visa Universal Studios discounts
- SoFar Sounds
- Troon Rewards
- Discover Cash at Checkout
- Amex Venmo Send and Split
ATH Podcast
- Ep #66: Rental Cars: Saving Money, Avoiding Fees and All the Secret Tricks with Jonathan Weinberg
- Ep #113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits
- Ep #221: Deep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact
- Ep #224: Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song
- Ep #283: Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?
- Hotel Upgrade Program
- Best Cards Page
- Gift Cards Page
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- AMA: Submit Questions
- Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
- Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com
Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:15) Purchase Benefits Overview
(02:36) Purchase Protection: Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Items
(05:15) How Extended Warranty Protection Works
(06:36) Return Protection for Items Stores Won’t Take Back
(07:55) When Price Protection Can Save You Money
(12:27) Travel Benefits Overview
(12:46) Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
(13:22) Trip Delay Coverage
(13:47) Delayed Luggage Reimbursement
(14:04) Lost and Damaged Bag Insurance
(16:01) Rental Car Coverage: Primary vs. Secondary Insurance
(21:37) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling
(22:54) Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage
(23:22) What Travel Accident Insurance Actually Covers
(23:53) Lounge Access Across Issuers and Networks
(25:06) Booking the Luxury Hotel Collections for Free Perks
(29:34) Free International Data and Roaming Benefits
(31:46) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck & Trusted Traveler Credits
(32:29) Cell Phone Protection Benefits
(35:12) How to Maximize Card-Linked Offers
(36:16) Automating Card-Linked Offers With CardPointers
(37:26) What Credit Card Concierge Services Can Actually Do
(38:49) Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Tools
(40:06) The Chase Instacart Benefit (and How to Stack It)
(45:18) The Chase DoorDash Benefit
(47:31) Exclusive Restaurant Reservation Programs
(48:30) American Express Uber Benefits
(49:14) Lyft Perks for Mastercard Holders
(49:43) Capital One Entertainment and Drink Benefits
(50:24) Free Museum Access With Bank of America and Capital One
(52:22) Experience and Entertainment Programs
(54:11) Getting Cash Out of Your Credit Card Benefits
(55:50) Instant Approval and Virtual Card Numbers
(58:02) Visa Network Benefits Worth Knowing
(59:26) Mastercard Network Perks: Transit, Peacock, Airport Fast Track & Soho Friends
Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
chrishutchins.comhttps://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/
chrishutchins.comBecome a Fora Advisor today
chrishutchins.comEarn the most valuable points when you pay rent
chrishutchins.comHelp your business grow with simplified finances
chrishutchins.comAffordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns
chrishutchins.comFree sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix
chrishutchins.comCardPointers: 30% off
allthehacks.comATH Members
chrishutchins.comGigSky
gigsky.comThe Cultivist
thecultivist.comSapphire Tables (via OpenTable)
opentable.comResy
resy.comMastercard Priceless
priceless.comVisa Universal Studios discounts
universalstudioshollywood.comSoFar Sounds
sofarsounds.comTroon Rewards
golfwithaccess.comDiscover Cash at Checkout
discover.comAmex Venmo Send and Split
americanexpress.comDeep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact
chrishutchins.comDo You Actually Need Travel Insurance?
chrishutchins.comHotel Upgrade Program
allthehacks.comBest Cards Page
allthehacks.comGift Cards Page
allthehacks.comNewsletter
landing.chrishutchins.comSubmit Questions
allthehacks.comApple Podcasts
podcasts.apple.comSpotify
open.spotify.comX
x.comInstagram
instagram.comLinkedIn
linkedin.com
- 0:00Introduction
- 2:15Purchase Benefits Overview
- 2:36Purchase Protection: Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Items
- 5:15How Extended Warranty Protection Works
- 6:36Return Protection for Items Stores Won’t Take Back
- 7:55When Price Protection Can Save You Money
- 12:27Travel Benefits Overview
- 12:46Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
- 13:22Trip Delay Coverage
- 13:47Delayed Luggage Reimbursement
- 14:04Lost and Damaged Bag Insurance
- 16:01Rental Car Coverage: Primary vs. Secondary Insurance
- 21:37Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling
- 22:54Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage
- 23:22What Travel Accident Insurance Actually Covers
- 23:53Lounge Access Across Issuers and Networks
- 25:06Booking the Luxury Hotel Collections for Free Perks
- 29:34Free International Data and Roaming Benefits
- 31:46Global Entry, TSA PreCheck & Trusted Traveler Credits
- 32:29Cell Phone Protection Benefits
- 35:12How to Maximize Card-Linked Offers
- 36:16Automating Card-Linked Offers With CardPointers
- 37:26What Credit Card Concierge Services Can Actually Do
- 38:49Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Tools
- 40:06The Chase Instacart Benefit (and How to Stack It)
- 45:18The Chase DoorDash Benefit
- 47:31Exclusive Restaurant Reservation Programs
- 48:30American Express Uber Benefits
- 49:14Lyft Perks for Mastercard Holders
- 49:43Capital One Entertainment and Drink Benefits
- 50:24Free Museum Access With Bank of America and Capital One
- 52:22Experience and Entertainment Programs
- 54:11Getting Cash Out of Your Credit Card Benefits
- 55:50Instant Approval and Virtual Card Numbers
- 58:02Visa Network Benefits Worth Knowing
- 59:26Mastercard Network Perks: Transit, Peacock, Airport Fast Track & Soho Friends