Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in January

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. 

Depending on how many credit cards you have, the list of benefits you should be using this month might feel overwhelming. Can you remember all of these perks without help? Maybe not.

Rather than trying to keep track of all of them on your own, we’ve compiled a monthly checklist of credit card perks and benefits you might be eligible for. This should take the guesswork out of your benefits, when they expire, and their value.

Here are some important reminders for the month of January.

merican Express

There are numerous monthly credit card perks that you should be using since Amex offers many of its statement credits as monthly amounts — rather than a one-time annual benefit. It’s important to note that these values are “up to” amounts, meaning this is the maximum you will receive in statement credits. If you spend less than this amount, you will be reimbursed only for that lower amount.

Additionally, the Uber credits will disappear from your account if unused by the end of the month.

Overall, these are not benefits you can roll over for later. They are “use it or lose it” type credits.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Up to $12.95 Walmart+ monthly membership: Pay with your card, then receive reimbursement in statement credits. Here’s how to enroll (subject to auto-renewal). Plus Up Benefits are not eligible. If you don’t receive the credit automatically, it’s worth requesting any missing credits be applied. The easiest way is via chat (online or through the Amex app; enrollment is required)Up to $15 in Uber credits: This can be used for Uber rides or on Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Add your card to your Uber account as a payment method to receive this benefit. Here’s how to use this benefit. (enrollment is required)Up to $20 digital entertainment credit: This can be used for the Disney Bundle, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment is required in advance. Here’s how to use this benefit.

While not a monthly benefit, cardholders also receive two spending credits with Saks Fifth Avenue on the Amex Platinum each year. From Jan. 1 through June 31 each year, you’ll receive up to $50 in statement credits, and you’ll also have a separate up to $50 credit from July 1 to Dec. 31 in the second half of the year. Enrollment is required in advance.

Also, remember that your Equinox benefits are no longer offered as just monthly amounts. You can now use up to $300 in Equinox statement credits annually. These credits apply to paying for Equinox+ or any Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal). Here’s how to use this benefit. Enrollment is required.

Using these benefits and statement credits can help offset the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Related: 10 things to do when you get the Amex Platinum

Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Up to $10 wireless credits: Pay for an eligible mobile service and receive a statement credit of up to $10. Enrollment is required in advance.

The Business Platinum Card doesn’t award credits at Saks or with Uber, but cardholders do receive up to $400 in statement credits every year for Dell purchases. This is split into up to $200 in credits from January-June and another up to $200 from July-December. You can use your credits for the second half of the year now. Enrollment is required in advance.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

merican Express® Gold CardUp to $10 Uber credits: Like the perk on the Platinum Card, this applies to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Add your card to your Uber account as a payment method to receive this benefit — and note that it can stack with the monthly credit on the Amex Platinum if you have both cards. Here’s how to use this benefit. Enrollment is required.Up to $10 dining credits: Use your card to pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, participating Shake Shack locations, Wine.com, Goldbelly and Milk Bar to receive up to $10 monthly statement credits. Enrollment is required in advance. Here’s how to use this benefit.

Related: Amex Gold checklist: 4 things to do when you first get the card

Official application link: American Express® Gold Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Up to $25 in monthly dining credits: This card offers monthly dining credits at restaurants worldwide. You don’t need to enroll for this benefit in advance — swipe your card at an eligible restaurant, and you should receive the statement credit within a few days.

Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Up to $200 Hilton Resorts credit per six months: Pay for eligible purchases, such as room charges and incidentals, using your Amex Aspire at participating Hilton Resorts. This benefit is separated into semi-annually statement credits up to $200 between January-June and July-December.Up to $50 in flight credits per quarter: Pay for a flight directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com and receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter.

The information for the Hilton Aspire 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.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Up to $50 Hilton credit per quarter: Receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter on purchases charged directly with a property within the Hilton portfolio, including bookings and incidental charges.

Official application link: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Chase

Select Chase credit cards offer perks on a monthly basis, so a new month means you have a fresh batch of credits to use.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

$5 DoorDash credits: When you add your Sapphire Reserve card as a payment method to your DoorDash account, Chase will add $5 in credits at the beginning of each month (this runs through December 2024). You can roll over a maximum of three months of credits, so you could now have up to $15 to use if you didn’t use any credits over the past two months. Note that these credits are in addition to the card’s free DashPass membership.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer any monthly credits, but cardholders can use a $50 hotel credit each year when booking through the Chase travel portal. If you haven’t used yours yet this year, here’s how to use this benefit.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Freedom (not open to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex

5% cash back: Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on rotating categories. Current categories include select grocery stores (including Instacart), fitness club and gym memberships, and self-care and spa services. You must activate your categories to enjoy higher earning rates. The current quarter ends on March 31 (and you must activate by March 14), so you have until then to register and maximize these earnings.

Remember: Even though the Freedom cards are technically cash-back products, you can turn these earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve.

The information for the Chase Freedom 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.

Official application link: Chase Freedom Flex

Numerous Chase cards

Instacart credits: Depending on which card(s) you have from Chase, you can receive statement credits after purchasing from Instacart (activate by July 31, 2024) — in addition to possibly getting a free Instacart+ membership. Eligible credits are as follows:>Up to $15 per month in statement credits: Chase Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card.*Up to $15 per quarter in statement credits: Chase Sapphire Preferred.Up to $10 per quarter in statement credits: Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom* and Chase Freedom Student.*

Related: Get $10 per eligible Chase card in monthly food and alcohol delivery credits

*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Citi

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card has a number of benefits, including the following monthly credits:

$10 in monthly Lyft credit after three rides: Use your card as the payment method in your account and get a $10 Lyft credit after taking three rides in a month.Up to $10 back withGrubhub: When you use your card for Grubhub purchases, you’ll receive up to $10 in monthly statement credits.

While not a monthly credit, cardholders can enjoy up to $120 back in eligible Avis or Budget car rentals every calendar year.

Official application link: Citi AAdvantage Executive Card

Citi® Dividend Card (not open to new applicants)

5% cash back: You can earn 5% cash back each quarter on rotating categories. Unlike other cards that limit your bonus earnings within the quarter, Citi Dividend cardholders can earn 5% bonus cash back on up to $6,000 of spending across the year (then 1% back thereafter), meaning you could maximize your 5% earnings for the whole year during a quarter where the bonus categories are more advantageous for you. Remember to activate your current categories, which include Amazon and select streaming services stores and are active through March 31.

The information for the Citi Dividend has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Discover

Discover it® Cash Back

5% cash back: Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on rotating categories, then unlimited 1% cash back. Remember to activate your current categories, which include purchases at restaurants and drugstores through March 31.>Eligible purchases include full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations and delivery services.Eligible drugstore purchases include those made at stand-alone drugstores, pharmacies, online pharmacies, and some pharmacies located inside retail stores

The information for the Discover it® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

U.S. Bank

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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

5% cash back: Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in combined spending on rotating categories, then an unlimited 1% back on other purchases. You must choose your categories each quarter and activate them for the bonus to apply. The current quarter runs through March 31, and categories include:>Cellphone providersDepartment storesElectronics storesFast foodFurniture storesGround transportationGyms/fitness centersHome utilitiesMovie theatersSelect clothing storesSporting goods storesTV, internet and streaming services

The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

World Elite Mastercards

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World Elite Mastercards

Numerous banks issue a World Elite Mastercard. Common products under this umbrella include the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and Chase Freedom Flex. Here’s what cardholders can use each month on these cards:

$5 in monthly Lyft credit after three rides: Use your card as the payment method in your account and get a $5 Lyft credit after taking three rides in a month. This benefit runs through March 31, 2024.Up to $5 off monthly Peacock subscriptions: Use your eligible card to pay for a monthly Peacock streaming subscription and enjoy a $3 statement credit every month for Peacock Premium or a $5 statement credit every month for Peacock Premium Plus (the ad-free version). This benefit runs through March 31, 2025. If you have Instacart+, perhaps through an eligible Chase card, then you get Peacock Premium for free.$10 off your second Instacart order: Enjoy two free months of Instacart+ membership plus $10 off your second order placed each month by joining here with your eligible card. This benefit runs through March 31, 2025.

Related: The 8 most valuable World Elite Mastercard benefits

Bottom line

Using the perks and benefits on your credit cards is critical for maximizing their value and justifying the cards’ annual fees. Some credit cards make this easy, offering your benefits as a one-time perk to use each year. Other benefits must be used in monthly increments, and it can be easy to forget about them.

This monthly checklist of credit card perks will help you remember to use them now that it’s the start of a new month.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, click here.

By: Danyal Ahmed
Title: Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in January
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-cards-monthly-checklist/
Published Date: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 17:30:35 +0000

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