Lesser Known Credit Card Perks

by A Blinkin on November 9, 2011

Have you ever examined your cell phone bill closely? Over the past few years mine has skyrocketed from $40/month to $93/month. A lot of that increase can be explained by upgrading from a Zach Morris–style 12 lb brick to a sleek do-it-all computer.

Another portion of my cell phone bill goes towards cell phone insurance. Since I’m constantly carrying my $400 Droid and throwing it around like light-weight cheerleader in a basket toss, I thought it was a good idea to carry coverage. Do I enjoy paying $6.99/month for this peace of mind? Not really – but what other choice do I have?

How To Get Free Cell Phone Insurance

Use your credit card.

I could spend hours explaining why credit cards are the best form of payment, but that’s not what this specific post is for. Let’s face it: cash is dirty, debit is dangerous, and money orders are sketchy. None of the alternatives offer anything close to the same advantages. Aside from lucrative rewards programs, many personal and small business credit cards offer perks that most consumers aren’t aware of. One of those is free cell phone insurance. Here are a few others:

  • Rental Car Insurance
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance
  • Extended Warranties
  • Roadside Assistance

If you want a way to compare credit cards and their specific perks, visit Love Money.

I don’t buy into the idea that credit cards, psychologically, make you spend more. Either you’re responsible enough to have one, or you’re not. As long as they’re used as a spending tool rather than a borrowing tool, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. If you’re one of those who has taken a pair of scissors to your plastic then you’re missing out on these lesser known credit card perks.

What perks do you take advantage of?

 

Tagged as: credit cards, personal finance

  • http://afford-anything.com Paula Pant

    This is slightly off topic, but WOW, Zach Morris looks so young in that picture. Or am I just getting old?

    • Anonymous

      I promise its not you, its the picture. If you tune into Franklin & Bash to view present-day “Preppy” – youll see you are doing well in comparison.

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  • Prairieecothrifter

    Great tips. Interesting since many of us only think of the main perks like travel rewards or cash back. I always forget about the car insurance option. I really need to remember that for next time I rent a car. I usually buy separate insurance for that trip and I don’t need to.

    I agree with you too on being responsible with them. You aren’t tempted to spend more. You can just be irresponsible with your spending.

    • Anonymous

      Rewards & cash back are my favorite :)

  • http://www.dollarversity.com Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity

    Paula, I don’t think it’s you. I feel really old seeing that!

    Don’t forget that cash can’t be replaced if lost or stolen! And a credit card is all your purchasing power in a thin piece of plastic keeping your wallet, money clip or purse manageable

    • Anonymous

      Good point. As easy as it is to take someone’s money, Visa and Mastercard have made it less of a headache getting it back.

  • Little House

    That’s a good point. I have a computer monitor that is on the blink (as in it basically blinks every time I turn it on for a few seconds). Thankfully, I purchased it with a credit card. I’m hoping that when the time comes and it doesn’t turn on at all, it will be partially covered through the credit card purchase. Thanks for sharing the additional perks. I’ve only just switched to using my credit card for everyday purchases in lieu of my debit card and am already seeing the benefits.

    • Anonymous

      Has the transition from debit to credit been easy for you? Any forgetting to pay it off monthly?

  • http://www.familymoneyvalues.com Marie at FamilyMoneyValues.com

    I use cards, but I do like cash. It’s just handier for me to use on those things that are bought in person – especially those things that tend to disappear before the credit card statement comes. Food, gasoline and etc. Everybody takes it too. I haven’t ever been one place that doesn’t take cash. I see no reason to risk not being able to get what you want because you don’t have cash with you.

    • Anonymous

      I have never received airline tickets, cruises, or gift cards because I’ve paid with cash…

      …and I’ve never been to a store that didn’t accept my credit card.

  • http://www.aaronhung.com Aaron Hung

    I use my credit cards for most stuff too because I know I’m responsible to pay it back so what’s so bad about it? plus I get rewards too :)

    • Anonymous

      Rewards make it worth it.

  • http://twitter.com/DoctorStock Doctor Stock

    I use my credit card for everything… and it pays me a dividend eve though I pay it off every month.

  • http://wealthinformatics.com Suba

    We use credit cards for everything and love them. We get between $2000-$3000 in cash back/gc every year, hard to beat that. And I have used their perks plenty of times, including using the concierge to book concert tickets and make a reservation at a restaurant. CC really is a great tool if used right.

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