There’s a good chance your credit card has some valuable benefits you might not know about. Most cards come with additional features like extended warranties, zero liability and identity theft protections, free credit monitoring and even roadside assistance.
These benefits sometimes fly well under the radar of the more popular options, like no foreign transaction fees or a credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fees.
But some credit cards go even further, offering unique perks that are hard to find anywhere else. Here are nine interesting credit card perks you may not know about.
Free museum entry
Bank of America credit and debit cards offer free access to more than 225 museums across the U.S. on the first full weekend of every month under the Museums on Us program. All you need to do is show your Bank of America-issued card and photo ID.
You can’t get guests in for free, but most reports I’ve read indicate that authorized users are also eligible.
This deal excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Facilities available to cardholders include New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center.
Check out our guide to the best Bank of America cards.
Free two-day shipping
Whether you need quick delivery for a last-minute gift or want to avoid extra shipping costs for your online purchases, you can get free two-day shipping and free return shipping with a complimentary ShopRunner membership if you have an eligible World Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard or American Express card*.
More than 100 stores are part of ShopRunner. And you can often combine this benefit with other strategies to save, including:
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To activate this benefit, visit your card issuer’s enrollment page, enter your email address, click on “Enroll for Free” and enter your personal details and card information. This may not be the most exciting benefit out there, but it can definitely save you cash when you need an item delivered ASAP.
*Enrollment is required for select American Express benefits; terms apply.
Cellphone protection
Cellphone protection gives you peace of mind because it can cover you if your phone is ever damaged or stolen. Some pay for this through their wireless carrier or a third-party insurance company, which can sometimes cost $100 or more annually.
Fortunately, the number of credit cards that offer cellphone protection has grown in recent years, though it’s still not a standard perk for the average cardmember. To take advantage of this, you’ll typically need to pay at least part of your cellphone bill using your credit card — though in some cases, you need to pay the entire bill for the benefit to apply.
It’s also important to note that many cellphone protection plans on credit cards won’t entirely cover those top-tier phones that cost upward of $1,000. Many credit cards offering this coverage will only cover up to $600 per claim.
Examples of cards that include cellphone protection include the Chase Freedom Flex®, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Instant credit card number
Having instant access to credit can sometimes be a much-needed perk. This is especially true for people who face an emergency expense and don’t have enough saved up to cover it.
Unfortunately, once you’re approved for a credit card, most major credit card issuers make you wait until your credit card arrives in the mail before you can start using it. That can often take 7 to 10 days, if not longer.
However, some credit cards let eligible cardmembers whose identities can be quickly authenticated begin making purchases immediately upon approval.
The few major issuers that offer this feature typically only offer it on a limited number of their credit cards, but American Express makes this feature available on most consumer card products.
Flight perks
Frequent travelers can earn plenty of discounts and cash back rewards when they use travel credit cards. But the right credit card will come with even more perks — and may even allow you to bring a companion for a fraction of the cost of a second ticket.
One of the best hidden gems is the Delta companion certificate. This perk comes every year you renew select Delta cards. You still have to pay taxes and fees, but it’s a small price to pay to score a free round-trip domestic flight for a companion.
A similar perk is available on the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. As part of the card’s welcome offer, you’ll receive a companion fare, which allows a friend, family member or loved one to come along with you for $99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $23.
Each year after this, to earn a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees), you’ll need to spend $6,000 on the card every account anniversary year.
These unique flight perks aren’t reserved just for airline cards. If you prefer a more well-rounded card, both the Amex Platinum and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express come with an airline incidentals fee statement credit of up to $200 every year. This counts toward incidental airline fees charged on the card at one qualifying airline. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Hotel upgrades and complimentary perks
Hotel-branded credit cards come with a decent amount of perks. These could include room upgrades, complimentary meals or a free hotel night on a cardmember’s anniversary.
But the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase takes things a step further, as the card offers a fourth night reward on award stays of three or more consecutive nights.
There’s no limit to this benefit — you can even book an eight-night stay and get both the fourth and eighth nights free. It’s incredibly easy to use: Once you open the card, the discount will automatically be applied when you make a reservation with points from your linked IHG One Rewards account.
If you want more flexibility in where you stay, the Amex Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card offer plenty of premium benefits. Both provide automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott and access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program (enrollment required).
This includes valuable perks like a room upgrade, if available, and complimentary daily breakfast for two. For consumer Amex Platinum cardmembers, you’ll enjoy up to $200 in annual statement credits for prepaid bookings at FHR properties. Terms apply.
Lounge access with VIP perks
Whether you travel for business or leisure, airport lounge access offers a chance to escape the often hectic bustle of the airport. There, you can clean up, eat, rest or enjoy the many complimentary amenities that help make any journey more relaxed.
Depending on the location and the credit card you use, there’s no telling what VIP perks you’ll find: Food created by renowned local chefs, family areas, shower suites or even complimentary spa treatments that include a massage.
Plenty of travel rewards credit cards provide some level of lounge access, so do your research and find the one that’s right for your travel habits.
Related: Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
Walmart+ credit
The Amex Platinum comes with an up to $155 Walmart+ statement credit each calendar year (up to $12.95 per month for one membership fee; Plus Ups not eligible; subject to auto-renewal). This perk has the potential to make life a little bit easier for a lot of households.
With a Walmart+ membership, you can have your Walmart groceries delivered to you for free on the same day you place your order. You also get free shipping without having to worry about minimum orders on items shipped by Walmart.
Just keep in mind that this perk is only for a monthly membership. If you try to purchase the yearly subscription for $98, you’ll miss out on the credit.
Related: 7 non-travel Amex Platinum benefits you should be using
Exclusive discounts
If you have a World Elite Mastercard, you’re eligible for special discounts and promotions with certain popular services. Cardholders can receive up to $5 off an eligible monthly Peacock subscription and two months of complimentary Instacart+ (Instacart benefit ends March 31, 2025), among other discounts and promotions.
The best part about these discounts is that you don’t have to register for these offers or go through a special link — just use your World Elite Mastercard to pay, and the promotion will be applied to your account automatically.
Bottom line
There’s a good chance that a card already in your wallet has a benefit you don’t know about. When you’re planning to open a new credit card, make sure to compare all of the features and benefits of the cards you’re considering. The right credit card perks can save you money and make your life more enjoyable.
