Has anyone used their credit cards fringe benefits? I see some off road side assistance car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage insurance... etc. sounds really good but wondering how often if ever are you able to use these perks
Chase sapphire for example. Other cards like Amex have it too.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/reasons-to-get-chase-sapphire-preferred/
Pro
Used the travel insurance when I got sick in Europe and moved my flight up - got reimbursed for $700. On a different occasion, I had a minor accident in a rental car during a snowstorm - used my auto insurance as primary insurance but it had a $500 deductible, then Chase reimbursed me for the $500 I did pay.
I don’t “use” the rental insurance, I just never buy rental insurance from rental companies because I know my chase sapphire will already cover it if anything happens. So in a way, I use it.
I do the same, went on a trip recently & got 2 rental cars. Using my chase insurance the weekend rental was $100, the other group got the rental insurance and paid $200+
Something more ppl should take advantage of!
Edit** I’ll also add I have the chase unlimited so great benefit with even no annual fee
Pre-Covid, I got a lot of value out of them (CSR recently, and citi prestige before):
-flight cancellation used a few times, which covered hotel rooms, transport, food, and incidentals when weather or mechanicals cancelled flights (airlines won’t cover the former, but if weather I didn’t need to wait for vouchers for an airport roach motel)
- trip cancellation: had to cancel a few trips due to medical reasons, and the card covered any non-refundable bits
- my CSR has primary rental insurance, which I (knock on wood) haven’t had to use, but good piece of mind. But was able to use it (via a letter) to cover my required insurance in ireland
All real easy to submit claims, just provided the necessary docs and they approved/funded.
IMO: If you travel a lot (or intend to), makes sense to get one of the cards - for protection (insurances), benefits (travel credits, lounge access), and the points/bonus. If you only travel 1-2 times/yr, may not be worth it and just got with a mid-tier or no-fee card
Used the travel insurance from Chase sapphire reserve when a hurricane was headed towards my destination. Pretty good benefit!
I mean it was a hurricane lol they have a website that you submit the claim to.
I made a car rental claim once on my Amex. And one of the purchase protection things. Both worked fine
Flight cancellation on CSR is great. Used it twice. Easy to submit and get reimbursed. I have the CSR roadside assistance number stored in my phone but yet to use it, seems nearly as good as the basic AAA coverage.
If you’re stuck in another city, you’re reimbursed for food, hotel stay, transportation until your new flight out. I believe it’s $500 per trip on CSR.
Same
Rising Star
Citi Prestige fourth night free RIP
Chief
Amex platinum concierge service is great
Airline benefits everyone knows of
Hotels booked through their site yields great upgrades, Uber eats pass paid, global entry paid
Chief
Sent a birthday cake to my client from a famous cake shop close to the hotel they were staying at. Reservations for a hard to get restaurant in nyc. Limo (Black Bentley) for client dinner in Vegas. Table service at high end clubs when they’re all sold out. Etc
Have used car insurance, bag insurance and purchase protection on the chase sapphire. Their claims team isn’t always great, but other than that the process worked well
Used the car rental collision insurance - very easy, covered almost 3k in damages