Some credit card perks are common — a lot of cards offer cash back on groceries and gas, for example. But lately, I’ve been thinking about the less-discussed benefits that come with certain cards. Let’s take a closer look at these perks — and great credit cards that offer them.
1. Cellphone insurance
Mobile phones have come a long way in the more than 20 years since I got my first one as a high school senior. I kept that little Nokia phone in the glove box of my extremely unreliable first car, just in case the car died and I wasn’t in range of a pay phone (remember those?). But these days, my iPhone is a must-have, and the fact that it wasn’t a cheap purchase makes me even more committed to keeping it safe. Luckily, cellphone insurance is a feature you can find offered by some credit cards.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of our favorite cards here at The Ascent. One of its less-lauded features is protection for your phone, for up to $600 per claim (with a $25 deductible). All you have to do is pay your phone bill with it.
You can also find cellphone protection against theft or damage with the Chase Freedom Flex℠. I love Chase cards, and this one comes with up to $1,000 per year (up to $800 per claim) of insurance, with a $50 deductible. Same deal as the Wells Fargo card — you just need to pay your monthly bill with the card to be eligible.
2. Bonus rewards at drugstores
If you take a lot of prescription drugs or over-the-counter supplements, or just really enjoy browsing the seasonal aisles at your local Walgreens (just me?), you might wish for a higher rewards rate at drug stores and pharmacies. Good news!
The sister card of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. And this one offers 3% back at drug stores — you don’t have to do anything special to get it, either. If you like the idea of switching up your bonus categories as often as monthly, you can also get 3% back at drug stores with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. This card has six 3% bonus categories to choose from, and drug stores are among them.
3. Primary rental car insurance
The best travel rewards credit cards make it easier and cheaper to see the world — and if you’re renting a car on your vacation, getting access to rental car insurance can give you a lot of peace of mind. Specifically, it’s worth targeting cards with primary rental insurance coverage — this means that if you have an accident or other mishap with your rental, you contact the card issuer first, rather than your regular auto insurer. Thankfully, you can turn to Chase’s excellent Sapphire line for rental car insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of my personal favorites — it’s the cheaper of the two Sapphire options, and I love knowing that every time I use it to pay for a restaurant meal, I’m earning 3X points per $1 toward my next trip. If you want to spend a lot more for an annual fee in exchange for more perks and more robust bonus earnings on your spending, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be for you.
It’s totally fine to be stoked about your credit card’s flashier benefits — but when you’re choosing a new card, don’t forget to dig into all of its perks. You might find an unexpected one that could enhance your life and save you money.
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