Credit Card Perks You Might Have Forgotten Can Save You Money

You might be able to save a bundle with Credit Card Perks you already have.

It seems like every time I turn on the television, I see another credit card commercial that advertises lavish customer rewards like dream vacations, low price airfare and cash back rebates. They sound great, and probably are. However, although many credit cards offer perks for their card holders that can save them a lot of money, the problem is that most of us don't know we have them.

With so many people out of work, looking for a job or just working harder for less at their current jobs, finding ways to save money is important. Take a look at these common credit card perks and see if your cards offer any of these benefits. Here are some of the big ones:

 

Return protection - Many cards offer this service. Basically if a store won't take back something you bought using your credit card, you can return the item to the store and the credit card company will refund your money. Depending on your card, there may be various rules and conditions, but it's worth looking into.

 

Extended Warranty Service - This is where your credit card can really save you some money. Depending on your credit card, if you purchase an item with your card and it comes with a manufacturer's warranty, the card will extend the warranty for an additional year. This can apply to large items like electronics and appliances and on smaller items that come with a warranty, like glasses and CDs. Many times, you'll have to fill out a form in order to extend the warranty, but it can pay off if you have a problem and keep you from having to purchase pricey extended warranties from the store or manufacturer.

 

Theft, loss or damage protection - This is a service that many people don't even realize they have. Several common cards offer this protection and it will give you the money to replace an item that was stolen, got broken or that you lost. Of course, you have to have purchased the product with the credit card and many companies require you to register the item within a certain time after buying it, but it can replace the more expensive insurance and warranty plans.

 

Travel benefits - Many credit cards offer lots of benefits for their customers who travel. Although you might not realize it, take a look at what your card might offer:

 

 

Roadside Assistance - One of the perks that most people don't realize they already have is roadside assistance. Of course, it's a good idea to find out exactly what benefits you have and what the conditions are before you need to use this. Many cards offer a nationwide network, while others only serve a limited geographic area. Still, if your card offers this service, it can save you time, hassle and money if you find yourself away from home and stranded with a flat tire.

 

Do your credit cards offer these perks? Do you ever take advantage of them? What other perks do your cards offer? Let me know in the comments.

 

 

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.