The Master Guide to New Credit Card Benefits During Coronavirus

Editor’s note: We’re constantly updating this post with the latest information about bank and credit card benefits being added amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Major banks behind the most popular travel rewards credit cards are going to great lengths to give cardholders more perks – and stop them from canceling their accounts during the coronavirus pandemic. With travel on pause, many of the typical benefits on these travel rewards credit cards aren’t of much use.

Here’s a look at how each bank is handling the downturn, with a card-by-card breakdown of all the new benefits that have been added. If you don’t see your card on this list, there are no additional benefits that have been added at this time.

(Keep in mind that these benefits are in addition to the benefits the cards already offer.)

Click below to jump to your favorite card and see what new benefits are currently available!

 

American Express Business Platinum Card

• Amex is offering a one-time $200 statement credit which will be applied to accounts after annual fee renewal. This is a targeted offer but it seems to be available for most cardholders.
• Cardholders will receive up to $320 in statement credits for wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers ($20 per month), and U.S. purchases for shipping ($20 per month).
• To see a list of phone carriers that will work for the credit, visit the American Express website.
• Amex added another $200 in additional statement credits for U.S. purchases with Dell (for $400 total). There was $200 to spend January – June, and an additional $200 to spend July – December 2020.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Business Platinum Card from American Express.

 

Delta SkyMiles American Express Credit Cards

• Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a targeted offer for bonus categories:
  • Earn 4x SkyMiles per dollar spent at restaurants – including takeout and delivery – through Dec. 31, 2020 (was 2x)
  • Earn 5x SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2020 (was 2x)
  • Must have an eligible card prior to July 25, 2020
  • Must enroll by Dec. 31, 2020
  • No limit to how many SkyMiles you can earn on spending through Dec. 31, 2020

• Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a targeted offer for bonus categories:
  • Earn 5x SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2020 (was 3x)
  • Earn 500 SkyMiles and 500 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) for every $1,000 spent on the card – for up to 25,000 bonus SkyMiles and 25,000 bonus MQMs total through Dec. 31, 2020
  • Must have an eligible card prior to July 1, 2020
  • Must enroll by Dec. 31, 2020
  • Targeted offer, not every cardholder will be eligible
  • No limit to how many SkyMiles you can earn on Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2020

• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a targeted offer for bonus categories:
  • Earn 5x SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2020 (was 3x)
  • Earn 500 SkyMiles and 500 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) for every $1,000 spent on the card – for up to 25,000 bonus SkyMiles and 25,000 bonus MQMs total through Dec. 31, 2020
  • Must have an eligible card prior to July 1, 2020
  • Must enroll by Dec. 31, 2020
  • Offer is targeted, so not every cardholder will be eligible
  • No limit to how many SkyMiles you can earn on Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2020

• Delta Platinum and Reserve cardholder companion certificates expiring between March 1 and June 30, 2020, are extended for use until Dec. 31, 2020. Certificates expiring between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, are extended for use by another six months.
• Both the personal and business Delta Platinum and Reserve cards are offering targeted appreciation credits for cards that have renewal dates between May 1 and December 31, 2020. These credits are between $50 and $100 and will hit after card renewal if you keep your card open.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.
• Read more:Which Delta Credit Card is Right for You?

 

 

American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card

• Any bonus points you earn on supermarket spending that post to your account by December 2020 will also count toward earning Hilton elite status as well as lifetime Diamond status.
• Free weekend night certificates that were previously issued or will be issued by December 31, 2020 will be valid on any day of the week.
• Free weekend night certificates issued between May 1 and December 31, 2020, will be valid for 24 months (rather than 12 months).
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.
• Read more: Why the Hilton Aspire Card is the Best Hotel Credit Card. 

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Hilton Honors Aspire Card. 

 

American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card

• Any bonus points you earn on supermarket spending that post to your account by December 2020 will also count toward earning Hilton elite status as well as lifetime Diamond status.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.
• Read more: Which Hilton Honors Card is Right for You?

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card.

 

American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card

• The Card will earn 8x Bonvoy points per dollar spent at Amazon, Target & Walmart (up to $3,500 spent) through 12/27/20. Enroll for this new benefit via Amex Offers.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.
• Marriott has extended free night certificates from Marriott co-branded credit cards through Jan. 31, 2021.
• Amex announced a three-month extension to meet the minimum spend requirement on new personal and business cards approved between Dec. 31, 2019, and May 31, 2020.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card.

 

American Express Green Card

• Cardholders will receive up to $80 in statement credits ($10 per month)to pay for wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers through December 2020. Unused $10 monthly credits will be forfeited.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the American Express Green Card. 

 

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Cardholders will receive up to $320 in statement credits to pay for select streaming services ($20 per month), and wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers ($20 per month) through December 2020. To see a full list of streaming services, and phone carriers that will work for the credit, visit the American Express website.
• Amex is adding a $200 credit for future travel purchases at AmexTravel.com. This credit applies for eligible purchases at Amex Travel, Amex’s travel booking service, and it will be available from August 2020 all the way through Dec. 31, 2021. Cardholders who renew their account between April 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, are eligible to receive the credit.
• Amex cardholders can now receive a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the following year upon automatic renewal.
• Check for an Amex Offer for a $100 credit when you spend $100-plus at Dell

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express.

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 5x Venture miles on all Uber Eats orders through Jan. 31, 2021.
• You can now redeem Venture miles for restaurant takeout, food delivery services, and online streaming platforms through Dec. 31, 2020
• The streaming services category includes purchases made from eligible music and video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Disney+, Kindle Unlimited, and many more.

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. 

 

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 5x Venture miles on all Uber Eats orders through Jan. 31, 2021.
• You can now redeem Venture miles for restaurant takeout, food delivery services, and online streaming platforms through Dec. 31, 2020.
• The streaming services category includes purchases made from eligible music and video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Disney+, Kindle Unlimited, and many more.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

 

Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

• Free anniversary night certificates will be extended. Certificates expiring after March 1, 2020, can now be used through at least Dec. 31, 2020. And any certificates that are issued in 2020 will have an 18-month redemption window. 
• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the IHG Rewards Club Premier Card.

 

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

• Earn 10x Marriott Bonvoy points for every dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants (or food delivery services) on up to $3,500 of spending through Sept. 15, 2020. You must opt-in for the promo here.
• Marriott has extended free night certificates from Marriott co-branded credit cards through Jan. 31, 2021.
• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card. 

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• Through April 2021, cardholders have the ability to pay yourself back with points for purchases at grocery stores, home improvement stores, and dining establishments. Each point will be worth 1.25 cents.
• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.
• Through April 2021, you will earn 2x points per dollar spent on groceries (up to $1,000 each month).

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. 

 

Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Through April 2021, cardholders have the ability to pay yourself back with points for purchases at grocery stores, home improvement stores, and dining establishments. Each point will be worth 1.5 cents.
• The $300 annual travel credit the card provides is getting more valuable. Through June 2021 any remaining balance will automatically be applied to purchases at grocery stores and gas stations.
• Starting on July 1, the cost to renew your annual fee will be lowered to $450 through the end of 2020. This will be replacing the current $100 statement credit that some cardholders have been notified about.
• Through April 2021, you will earn 3x points per dollar spent on groceries (up to $1,000 each month).

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

 

Chase Southwest Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards

• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.
• Read Which Southwest Credit Card is Right for You? 

 

Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card

• Free night award certificates – along with suite and club access upgrades set to expire between March and December will be automatically extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card. 

 

Chase United Club Infinite Card

• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the United Club Infinite Card. 

Chase United Explorer Card

• Chase is granting some new customers with new cards an additional three months to earn the sign-up bonus – but only upon request.

 

 

Click Here to get more information about the United Explorer Card. 

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

• Cardholders whose account was opened before March 31, 2020, will get a one-time $225 credit which will be issued when you renew your account. This will essentially cut the annual fee in half.
• Citi previously announced a three-month extension to meet the minimum spend requirement on new personal and business cards approved between Dec. 31, 2019, and May 31, 2020.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. 

 

Citi Premier Card

• Citi Premier cardholders will earn bonus points at both restaurants and on supermarket purchases. You’ll earn 3 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on supermarket purchases (instead of 1 point per $1 spent).
• You’ll also earn 3 ThankYou Points per $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and curbside pickup (instead of 2 points per $1 spent).

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Citi Premier Card.

Citi Prestige Card

• Purchases made at both supermarkets and restaurants will trigger the card’s $250 travel credit through Dec. 31, 2020.
• Citi announced a three-month extension to meet the minimum spend requirement on new personal and business cards approved between Dec. 31, 2019, and May 31, 2020.

 

 

Click Here to learn more about the Citi Prestige Card

 

Bottom Line

Banks are doing everything they can to add new benefits to travel cards in hopes of keeping them around. This list will likely only grow.

We will continue to keep this post updated with new benefits banks are adding to their portfolio of travel rewards credit cards.

 

Stop overpaying for travel!

Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how to save on your next trip.

Join Now