The Hidden Benefits on Your Credit Card You're Probably Not Using
Flight delayed? No problem.
You know that thick booklet that arrives in the mail when you get a new credit card? The one you immediately toss in a drawer or place straight in the recycling bin? That booklet is basically free money you're leaving on the table.
I had this conversation on a recent episode of Type 2 Travel with Katie Holden, founder of Katie's Travel Tricks and host of the Points for Normal People podcast. Katie taught herself the points and miles game by doing something almost nobody does: actually reading the fine print. And what she found changed how she travels.
Here's the thing: credit card companies are counting on you not reading it. They’re hoping you won't track your benefits or remember to use them before they expire — that's not cynicism, that's their whole business model.
So let's fix that.
Benefits Most People Don't Know They Have
Delayed Baggage Reimbursement: If your checked bags are delayed by a certain number of hours (usually 6–12, depending on the card), many travel cards will reimburse you for essentials i.e., toiletries, a change of clothes, etc. up to a set dollar amount per person per day. If you paid for your flight with the card, your bags didn't show up, and you have a receipt. That's often all you need.
Extended Warranty Protection: This one is criminally underused and genuinely valuable. Many cards automatically extend the manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases by an additional year. Given that plenty of products fail right after the warranty expires, this can save you real money. Katie's family has made multiple claims on this benefit alone.
Trip Delay and Cancellation Coverage: If your trip is delayed or cancelled for a covered reason and you paid with the right card, you may be entitled to reimbursement for meals, lodging, and other expenses. This isn't the same as travel insurance, but it's not nothing either.
Annual Credits You're Not Using: This is the big one. Travel credits, dining credits, streaming credits, Lyft credits. Premium cards are loaded with them and the card companies are not going to remind you to use them. I've personally let credits expire on my Chase Sapphire Reserve because time got away from me. That's exactly what they're hoping for.
Learn from my mistakes: if your card has an annual credit expiring, put a recurring reminder in your calendar.
Is a High Annual Fee Card Actually Worth It?
It depends entirely on whether you'll use what's included, and it’s entirely personal to you. The card your travel bestie uses on the daily may not be the right fit for you if you don’t have the same spending habits.
My favorite travel card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, carries a nearly $800 annual fee, which sounds insane until you actually break it down.
The $300 travel credit alone offsets a big chunk of it. Add in lounge access (if your airports have Chase Sapphire Lounges — check before you assume), hotel and restaurant credits, trip protections, and points earning on travel and dining, and it can absolutely be worth it.
For someone who doesn't travel frequently, lives somewhere without the relevant lounges, or won't use the dining credits? Maybe not.
Right now there's an elevated bonus on the Reserve, so if you've been on the fence, this is the time to apply.
Not the right card for you?
👉 Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred(a lower annual fee, and an excellent starter travel card)
Other Cards Worth Knowing About
United MileagePlus® Credit Card — If United is your primary airline (it's mine) and you’re a frequent traveler, this can be a no-brainer. Earn miles on every flight and everyday purchases, plus perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and lounge access.
👉 Apply for a United MileagePlus® Card
Capital One Venture — A solid option if you want flexibility without being locked into one airline or hotel ecosystem. Straightforward earning, easy redemption.
👉 Apply for the Capital One Venture
Chase Freedom Unlimited — A great starter card or complement to a Sapphire card. No annual fee, earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and works well as part of a broader Chase ecosystem strategy.
👉 Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Business Cards — If you're a business owner, freelancer, or side hustler, you're leaving a massive chunk of points on the table by putting business expenses on a personal card. The Ink family of cards are among the best business cards out there.
👉 Apply for Chase Business Cards
If you apply for a credit card through my referral links and are approved, I may receive bonus points as compensation. This doesn't change the cost or terms of your application in any way. I only recommend cards I personally use or genuinely believe in.
The Bottom Line
The points game doesn't have to be complicated. But you do have to pay attention. Read the booklet. Set the calendar reminders. Know what you have before you need it.
And if you're going to open a card anyway, make sure you're getting a good welcome offer and that the benefits actually match your life.
Want to go deeper? Listen to my full conversation with Katie Holden of Katie’s Travel Tricks on Type 2 Travel — available on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Ready to start putting those newly discovered benefits to use? Book an upcoming trip below. 👇🏻