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
How to Earn Millions of Points and More Listener Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:35
#263: Chris breaks down exactly how he’s earned millions of points and miles, and why simplicity matters more than optimization. He covers signup bonuses, spending strategies, credit score impacts, business cards, cash-b…
Goals, Tools, and Mindset Shifts for a Better 2026 with Kevin Rose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:49
#261: Chris and Kevin reflect on 2025’s biggest wins and lessons, then dive into how they're planning 2026. They share their goals, the tools they're using, and why they're designing a year that’s easier, not just more o…
Top 10 Takeaways from 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:25
#260: Chris distills the most powerful lessons from over 50 episodes in 2025 into 10 actionable takeaways that changed how he thinks about money, time, health, relationships, purpose, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: h…
Choosing the Problems Worth Struggling For with Mark Manson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:11
#259: Learn how to pick the challenges in life that actually matter. We break down how to stop optimizing for the wrong things, why values trump goals in decision-making, practical strategies for building real friendship…
My Top 5 Mistakes with Points & Miles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:00
#258: The 5 biggest mistakes Chris has made in his points & miles journey. He dives into the hidden cost of status, the math behind point values, the power of opportunity cost, and why hoarding points quietly destroys va…
End of Year Checklist for Your Taxes, Points and Miles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:08
#257: We break down essential tax and financial decisions to make before year-end. Learn how to maximize deductions, optimize charitable giving, manage investment gains and losses, and take advantage of retirement and ho…
2025 Holiday Gift Guide and Top Ways to Save This Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:40
#255: Here are 100+ holiday gift ideas across tech, kitchen, home, clothing, fitness, kids, and games. I’ll also share tools and tactics to help you find deals and spend less this holiday season. For all the products, li…
The Cost of Always Optimizing with Chris and Amy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:42
#254: Chris and Amy share a candid look at their life together as two optimizers. They discuss everything from family finances and teaching their kids about money to managing their health, work, and travel. Link to Full…