Points
and cash back are only a fraction of the things your credit card can do
for you. Kiplinger.com has listed 7 little-known credit card perks to
help you make the most of your fantastic plastic:
Enhance your warranty:
Gold and platinum MasterCards, Visa Signature cards and American
Express cards all extend the manufacturer’s warranty by up to one year
when you use the cards to purchase items. If you lose or break that new
laptop or digital camera within 90 days of purchasing it with Citi’s new
ThankYou Premier card, Citi will pay to repair or replace it or
reimburse you – up to $1,000 per claim. The same is true for purchases
made with your American Express card; the $450-per-year Platinum card
has a limit of $10,000.
Get the lowest price:
If you see an item you purchased with a Citi premium card advertised
for less within 60 days, Citi will make up the difference, up to $250.
Many gold and platinum MasterCards offer similar protection.
Cover you on the road:
If your laptop is stolen from your hotel room, MasterCard will
reimburse you if you used a gold or platinum card to pay for the room.
Likewise, if your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, MasterCard will
reimburse you for the cost of replacing essential items. Plus,
MasterCard will cover the cost to repair or replace damaged luggage. Use
your Visa Signature card to buy your airline ticket and you can get
reimbursed up to $3,000 for lost or stolen luggage.
Help you avoid checked-baggage fees:
Redeem points for an airline ticket with your U.S. Bank FlexPerks
Travel Rewards Visa Signature card and receive a $25 credit toward the
checked-bag fee. Gold Delta SkyMiles cards from American Express cover
the cost of checked bags (up to $50 per person round-trip) for up to
nine people on the same reservation. American Express’s platinum card
offers a $200 annual credit for flight-change and baggage fees.
Get free admissions:
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders receive free admission to
150 museums in 85 cities on the first weekend of the month.
Participating institutions include New York’s Metropolitan Museum of
Art, Chicago’s Art Institute, Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and
the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Provide concierge services:
The 24-hour service available to Visa Signature and MasterCard World
Elite cardholders can help with restaurant reservations, party planning,
travel arrangements and getting tickets to sold-out events. Visa
cardholders can see what’s available by visiting Visa’s website or by
becoming a fan of Visa on Facebook.
Help you get home:
Chase customers can call Global Lifeline (the number is on the back of
their card) and get help with hotel and airline reservations and medical
assistance. 
