Using Credit Card Perks for Fun and Profit

I kind of hate credit cards. They’re a service that exists with the sole purpose of encouraging bad spending habits so that they can collect interest on your mistakes. It’s a rotten system, but unfortunately credit cards are a pretty necessary part of life… at least until Bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency replaces the current financial system.

In the mean time, let’s get something back from the credit card companies.

I’m going to assume you have a credit card. If you don’t, please don’t bother getting one. You can skip this article entirely and probably be happier for it. But for the rest of you, I would like to point out that credit cards generally have a ton of perks that you’re probably not using. Personally speaking, I read about them when I first got my credit card and promptly forgot all about them.

So the first step is to see what your card offers. Mine is a cash back card, but that’s a passive thing. What I’m really talking about here is perks like extended warranties and travel insurance. Here’s an example.

I was away on vacation recently, and when I returned, my home smelled like rotten meat. Why? Because my fridge had died, probably the day I left, because life can be an asshole like that sometimes. The fridge was past the one year manufacturer warranty BUT… it was still covered under my credit card’s extended warranty. I’m submitting the forms today, and with a little luck I’ll be reimbursed the full amount in a few weeks time.

Pretty handy, right?

Many cards also have “purchase assurance,” which means that if something you buy is stolen or damaged within 120 days of purchase, the credit card company will reimburse you the full amount. Many also offer price protection (self explanatory) and even travel accident insurance. I’m covered for a million dollars, which is great. It saves me from having to purchase insurance every time I travel.

So my point here is that if you have a credit card, might as well get everything you can out of it. Believe me, the credit card companies aren’t your friend. They’re trying to do the exact same thing to you.

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Chad

Chad is the co-founder of Unfinished Man, a leading men's lifestyle site. He provides straightforward advice on fashion, tech, and relationships based on his own experiences and product tests. Chad's relaxed flair makes him the site's accessible expert for savvy young professionals seeking trustworthy recommendations on living well.

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