20+ Credit Card Benefits You’re Probably Not Using

20+ Credit Card Benefits You’re Probably Not Using

Author: Chris Hutchins June 24, 2026 Duration: 1:03:14
#284: Chris breaks down the credit card benefits that save real money but rarely get attention, from getting a cracked iPhone repaired for free to purchase protections, travel coverage, and a deep bench of lesser-known perks. Learn exactly which card to reach for on every purchase, so you're always covered and never leaving money on the table. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/ Partner Deals Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances Quince: Affordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns LMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Tools & Apps CardPointers: 30% off (50% off for ATH Members) GigSky The Cultivist Benefit Programs Sapphire Tables (via OpenTable) Resy Mastercard Priceless Visa Universal Studios discounts SoFar Sounds Troon Rewards Discover Cash at Checkout Amex Venmo Send and Split ATH Podcast Ep #66: Rental Cars: Saving Money, Avoiding Fees and All the Secret Tricks with Jonathan Weinberg Ep #113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits Ep #221: Deep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact Ep #224: Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song Ep #283: Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance? Hotel Upgrade Program Best Cards Page Gift Cards Page Newsletter AMA: Submit Questions Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:15) Purchase Benefits Overview (02:36) Purchase Protection: Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Items (05:15) How Extended Warranty Protection Works (06:36) Return Protection for Items Stores Won’t Take Back (07:55) When Price Protection Can Save You Money (12:27) Travel Benefits Overview (12:46) Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance (13:22) Trip Delay Coverage (13:47) Delayed Luggage Reimbursement (14:04) Lost and Damaged Bag Insurance (16:01) Rental Car Coverage: Primary vs. Secondary Insurance (21:37) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling (22:54) Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage (23:22) What Travel Accident Insurance Actually Covers (23:53) Lounge Access Across Issuers and Networks (25:06) Booking the Luxury Hotel Collections for Free Perks (29:34) Free International Data and Roaming Benefits (31:46) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck & Trusted Traveler Credits (32:29) Cell Phone Protection Benefits (35:12) How to Maximize Card-Linked Offers (36:16) Automating Card-Linked Offers With CardPointers (37:26) What Credit Card Concierge Services Can Actually Do (38:49) Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Tools (40:06) The Chase Instacart Benefit (and How to Stack It) (45:18) The Chase DoorDash Benefit (47:31) Exclusive Restaurant Reservation Programs (48:30) American Express Uber Benefits (49:14) Lyft Perks for Mastercard Holders (49:43) Capital One Entertainment and Drink Benefits (50:24) Free Museum Access With Bank of America and Capital One (52:22) Experience and Entertainment Programs (54:11) Getting Cash Out of Your Credit Card Benefits (55:50) Instant Approval and Virtual Card Numbers (58:02) Visa Network Benefits Worth Knowing (59:26) Mastercard Network Perks: Transit, Peacock, Airport Fast Track & Soho Friends Connect with Chris ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like there's a smarter, more efficient way to navigate your finances, your travels, and your daily routines? That's the core question driving All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life. Hosted by Chris Hutchins, this podcast is built on a simple, powerful idea: maximizing value doesn't mean sacrificing enjoyment. Instead, it's about the strategic choices that free up resources-both money and time-for what truly matters. Chris approaches life as a series of systems to be optimized, drawing from his own experience saving millions through meticulous analysis. The conversations here are practical and wide-ranging, moving seamlessly from credit card points strategies and investment philosophies to the less tangible hacks for personal fulfillment. You'll hear from a diverse roster of experts and icons, including Tim Ferriss, Tony Hawk, Codie Sanchez, and Gary Vaynerchuk, who all bring their unique perspectives on building wealth and designing a compelling life. Each episode feels like a focused workshop, offering actionable advice you can use immediately, whether it's planning a luxury vacation for a fraction of the cost or rethinking your approach to career and leisure. This isn't just about frugality; it's about unlocking freedom and excitement through smarter decisions. Tune in for a consistently insightful blend of tactical moves and deeper conversations that challenge the conventional trade-offs between spending, saving, and living well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
Podcast Episodes
Stop Overthinking and Start Deciding with Derek Sivers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:42
#273: Learn to stop overthinking and make better decisions. Chris and Derek discuss how optimizing can go wrong, a coin flip trick for making decisions, journaling as a superpower, how your actions might reveal what you…
My Process for Booking Travel with Points & Miles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
#272: Learn how to turn your points into significantly better travel experiences by following a simple, repeatable system. We cover how to plan, find award availability, choose the right tools, and decide between portals…
How to Actually Live the Life You're Optimizing For with Sahil Bloom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:04
#271: Learn why over-optimizing your life can quietly destroy the things you actually care about. Chris and Sahil explore the doorman fallacy, why big life decisions should happen fast, how to use AI as a thinking partne…
Ski Trip Mishaps, AI Interior Design, Reflecting on Life and More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:20
#270: Chris and Amy discuss lessons from three ski trips with kids, using AI to redesign rooms on a budget, their favorite new gadgets, navigating high-deductible health plans, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://…
Credit Cards: What's in My Wallet for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:27
#267: Chris reviews his credit card lineup for 2026, sharing which cards he's keeping and canceling and why. He also covers how to evaluate annual fees, the best cards across major spending categories, and the apps he us…
Why Change Is Hard and How to Make It Your Advantage with Maya Shankar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
#266: Chris and Maya break down the science-backed tools that make change easier and more intentional. They explore why most people misunderstand change, how to anchor your identity to your deeper “why,” and practical to…
I Built an AI Assistant That Works While I Sleep [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:15
#265: Chris explores how modern AI tools have eliminated the barriers to building software, why planning matters more than coding skill, how anyone can turn a simple problem into a working app faster and cheaper than eve…
Deep Dive on Bilt Rewards and New Bilt 2.0 Cards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:25
#264: Learn how the Bilt ecosystem works, from earning Bilt Rewards to the new cards, transfer partners, perks, and where the real value is. Whether you’re new or already earning, this is a practical guide to using Bilt…