The article titled "Monthly Credit Card Perks and Benefits for September" provides a comprehensive list of credit card perks and benefits that individuals should take advantage of in the month of September. It acknowledges that keeping track of all the available perks can be overwhelming, so it aims to simplify the process by providing a monthly checklist. The article specifically highlights the various benefits offered by different credit card companies such as American Express, Chase, Citi, Discover, and U.S. Bank. It emphasizes the importance of using these benefits before they expire and provides step-by-step instructions on how to enroll and utilize them. By utilizing these monthly perks and benefits, individuals can maximize the value of their credit cards and potentially offset annual fees.
American Express
American Express offers several credit cards that provide various perks and benefits. Many of these benefits are offered on a monthly basis, meaning cardholders can take advantage of them throughout the year. It's important to note that these benefits have maximum reimbursement amounts, and any unused credits will not roll over to the next month. Here are some of the key benefits offered by American Express credit cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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Up to $12.95 Walmart+ monthly membership: Cardholders can pay with their Platinum Card and receive reimbursement in statement credits. This benefit is subject to auto-renewal and is not eligible for Plus Up Benefits. If the credit is not automatically applied, cardholders can request missing credits to be applied through the Amex app or online chat.
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Up to $15 in Uber credits: This benefit can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Cardholders need to add their Platinum Card as a payment method to their Uber account to activate this benefit.
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Up to $20 digital entertainment credit: This credit can be used for various digital entertainment services such as the Disney Bundle, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment is required in advance to access this benefit.
Additionally, Platinum Card holders receive two spending credits with Saks Fifth Avenue each year. These credits are split into two installments of up to $50 each, with the first installment available from January to June and the second installment available from July to December. Equinox benefits are also available, providing up to $300 in statement credits annually for Equinox+ or Equinox club membership. These credits can help offset the card's $695 annual fee. Enrollment is required for both benefits.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Up to $10 wireless credits: Business Platinum Card holders can receive a statement credit of up to $10 when paying for an eligible mobile service. Enrollment is required in advance to access this benefit.
Unlike the personal Platinum Card, the Business Platinum Card does not offer credits at Saks or with Uber. However, cardholders can enjoy up to $400 in statement credits each year for Dell purchases. This credit is split into two installments of up to $200 each, with one available from January to June and the other from July to December. Enrollment is required in advance to access this benefit.
American Express® Gold Card
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Up to $10 Uber credits: Similar to the Platinum Card, Gold Card holders can receive up to $10 in Uber credits for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. This benefit can be stacked with the monthly credit on the Platinum Card if the cardholder has both cards.
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Up to $10 dining credits: Cardholders can receive up to $10 in monthly statement credits when using their Gold Card to pay at participating restaurants such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, Wine.com, Goldbelly, and Milk Bar. Enrollment is required in advance to access this benefit.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Up to $25 in monthly dining credits: Cardholders can enjoy monthly dining credits at restaurants worldwide. Enrollment is not required in advance for this benefit, and the credit is automatically applied when the card is used at an eligible restaurant.
These benefits and statement credits can help cardholders offset the annual fees associated with these American Express credit cards.
Chase
Chase offers a variety of credit cards with different perks and benefits. Some of these benefits are offered on a monthly basis, allowing cardholders to make the most of their credit card rewards. Here are some of the key benefits provided by Chase credit cards:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- $5 DoorDash credits: Cardholders can add their Sapphire Reserve card as a payment method to their DoorDash account and receive $5 in credits at the beginning of each month. These credits can be rolled over for up to three months, allowing cardholders to accumulate a maximum of $15 in credits.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- $50 hotel credit: Sapphire Preferred cardholders can enjoy a $50 hotel credit each year when booking through the Chase travel portal. This benefit is a one-time annual credit.
Chase Freedom (not open to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex
- 5% cash back: Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on rotating categories each quarter. The current categories include gas stations, EV charging, and select live entertainment. Activation is required to earn the higher cash back rate.
The Chase Freedom cards offer cash back rewards, but these rewards can be converted into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if the cardholder also holds a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve.
Chase also provides Gopuff credits and Instacart credits on various Chase cards. Gopuff credits offer a monthly statement credit of up to $10 when paying for a Gopuff order with an eligible Chase card. Instacart credits vary depending on the Chase card, with some cards offering up to $15 per month in statement credits for Instacart purchases. These benefits are subject to minimum order requirements.
Citi
Citi offers several credit cards with different rewards and benefits. One of their cards, the Citi Dividend Card, provides rotating quarterly cash back categories. Here is the key benefit offered by Citi credit cards:
Citi® Dividend Card (not open to new applicants)
- 5% cash back: Cardholders can earn 5% cash back each quarter on rotating categories. Unlike other cards that limit bonus earnings within the quarter, Citi Dividend cardholders can earn 5% bonus cash back on up to $6,000 of spending across the year. The current bonus categories, which include gas and home improvement stores, are active through September 30.
Citi Dividend cardholders can maximize their cash back earnings for the whole year during quarters with more advantageous bonus categories.
Discover
Discover offers the Discover it® Cash Back credit card, which provides cash back rewards on rotating quarterly categories. Here is the key benefit provided by Discover:
Discover it® Cash Back
- 5% cash back: Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on rotating categories each quarter. The current categories include purchases at gas stations and purchases made with digital wallets, and this benefit is active through September 30.
Discover it® Cash Back cardholders can enjoy unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank provides the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, which offers cash back rewards on rotating categories. Here is the key benefit provided by U.S. Bank credit cards:
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- 5% cash back: Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in combined spending on rotating categories each quarter. The current quarter includes categories such as cellphone providers, department stores, electronics stores, fast food, furniture stores, ground transportation, gyms/fitness centers, home utilities, movie theaters, select clothing stores, sporting goods stores, and TV, internet, and streaming services. Cardholders must choose their categories each quarter and activate them for the bonus to apply. The current quarter ends on September 30.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Cardholders can also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
These are just a few of the monthly credit card perks and benefits that cardholders should be taking advantage of in September. It's important to review the specific benefits and activation requirements of each credit card to make the most of these rewards. By utilizing these perks and benefits, cardholders can maximize the value they receive from their credit cards.
