October Checklist: Credit Card Benefits and Perks You Should Utilize

With the number of credit cards you hold, the benefits available this month may seem daunting. Can you recall all these perks on your own? Probably not.

Instead of struggling to remember everything, we've created a monthly checklist of credit card perks and benefits you may qualify for. This will help clarify your benefits, their expiration dates, and their worth.

Here are some key reminders for the month of October.

American Express

There are several monthly card benefits you should take advantage of, as Amex provides many statement credits as monthly amounts rather than a one-off annual perk. It's crucial to remember that these figures are "up to" amounts, indicating the maximum you can receive in statement credits. If your spending is below this limit, you will only be reimbursed for the lower figure.

Furthermore, any unused Uber credits will expire at the end of the month, disappearing from your account.

In summary, these credits cannot be carried over for future use. They operate on a "use it or lose it" basis.

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Reimbursement for Walmart+ membership up to $12.95: When you pay for your Walmart+ membership with The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll receive a statement credit for one membership fee. Learn how to enroll (note that it is subject to auto-renewal). Plus Up Benefits are not included. If you don't see the credit applied automatically, it's a good idea to request any missing credits. The easiest way to do this is via chat (either online or through the Amex app; enrollment is necessary).
• Uber credits up to $15: These can be utilized for Uber rides or orders through Uber Eats in the U.S. To access this benefit, simply add your card as a payment method in your Uber account. Learn how to use this benefit (enrollment required).
• Digital entertainment credit up to $20: This credit can be applied to services like the Disney Bundle, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Make sure to enroll in advance to receive the statement credit. Learn how to use this benefit.

Although not a monthly benefit, cardholders enjoy two annual spending credits at Saks Fifth Avenue with the Amex Platinum. From January 1 to June 30 each year, you can get up to $50 in statement credits, and there’s an additional up to $50 credit from July 1 to December 31 in the latter half of the year. Enrollment is necessary beforehand.

You can claim up to $300 in annual statement credits for Equinox. These credits apply to your payment for Equinox+ or any Equinox club membership (which may auto-renew). Learn how to use this benefit. Enrollment is required.

These benefits and statement credits can significantly help in offsetting the card's $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

• Wireless credits up to $10: When you pay for an eligible mobile service, you can earn a statement credit of up to $10. Make sure to enroll in advance.

While The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does not offer credits for Saks or Uber, it provides cardholders with up to $400 in annual statement credits for Dell purchases (this benefit is set to expire on Dec. 31). This amount is divided into two segments: up to $200 from January to June and another up to $200 from July to December. You can now utilize your credits for the latter half of the year. Enrollment is required beforehand.

American Express Gold Card

Take advantage of these benefits to help mitigate the card's $325 annual fee (see rates and fees):

• Up to $10 in Uber credits: Similar to the benefit offered on the Amex Platinum, this credit applies to both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. Simply add your American Express® Gold Card as a payment option in your Uber account to take advantage of this perk — and remember, it can be combined with the monthly credit from the Amex Platinum if you possess both cards. Here's how to use this benefit. Enrollment is necessary.
• Up to $10 dining credit: Use your card for payments at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Goldbelly, and Five Guys to earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits. Pre-enrollment is required. Here's how to use this benefit.
• Up to $7 Dunkin' credit: Cardholders can enjoy up to $7 in monthly statement credits at Dunkin' locations across the U.S. Enrollment is mandatory.
• Up to $100 annual Resy credits: Cardmembers receive two $50 statement credits biannually, usable from January to June and another from July to December. You can earn these credits by dining at U.S. restaurants that accept Resy reservations and paying with your Amex Gold, without needing to make a reservation. Enrollment is necessary.

Delta cobranded cards

• Resy credit: Enjoy a monthly statement credit of up to $10 for U.S. restaurant purchases made through the Resy platform with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card; receive up to $20 with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. Enrollment is required.
• Ride-hailing credit: If you hold the consumer or business version of the Platinum or Reserve card, you can get up to $10 in monthly statement credits for U.S. ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, Revel, Curb, or Alto. Enrollment is necessary.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

• Up to $200 Hilton Resorts credit every six months: Use your Amex Aspire card at participating Hilton Resorts to pay for eligible expenses, including room charges and incidentals. This benefit is split into two $200 credits, available from January to June and another from July to December.
• Up to $50 in flight credits each quarter: Directly pay for a flight with an airline or through AmexTravel.com to receive up to $50 in statement credits quarterly. Reports suggest you might also be able to use this credit for seat upgrades, taxes and fees on awards, and to add funds to your United TravelBank balance.

The details for the Hilton Aspire card have been independently compiled by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

Discover more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

• Up to $50 Hilton credit each quarter: Earn up to $50 in statement credits every quarter for purchases made directly at Hilton properties, including reservations and incidental charges. Reports indicate that this credit may also be applicable for dining and gift shop purchases at Hilton locations and for online gift card purchases, even if you aren't staying at the hotel.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

• Up to $60 Hilton credit each quarter: Enjoy up to $60 in statement credits every quarter for purchases made directly at Hilton properties, covering bookings and incidental expenses like dining and spa treatments. Refer to our advice regarding the Surpass credit mentioned earlier.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

• Up to $25 in monthly dining credits: This card provides monthly dining statement credits at restaurants around the globe. No advance enrollment is necessary for this benefit — simply use your card at an eligible restaurant, and the statement credit should appear within a few days.

Chase

Many Chase credit cards offer monthly benefits, meaning that with each new month comes a new set of credits to utilize.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

• $5 DoorDash credits: When you link your Chase Sapphire Reserve® card to your DoorDash account, you’ll receive $5 in credits at the start of each month. You can accumulate up to three months’ worth of credits, allowing for a total of $15 if you haven’t used any credits in the last two months. The $5 in-app credit is valid for all orders until Jan. 31, 2025; starting Feb. 1, 2025, it will only apply to restaurant orders. Additionally, these credits are offered alongside the card’s free DashPass membership.
• $20 DoorDash non-restaurant credits: With an active Sapphire Reserve DashPass membership, cardholders enjoy two promotions each calendar month, providing up to $10 off at checkout for grocery, convenience, or other non-restaurant orders on DoorDash.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• $10 DoorDash non-restaurant credits: Cardholders who have activated the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card DashPass membership receive one promo each calendar month, offering up to $10 off at checkout for one grocery, convenience, or other non-restaurant order on DoorDash.

Cardholders can take advantage of a $50 hotel credit each year when they book through the Chase travel portal. If you haven't redeemed yours yet this year, here’s how to use this benefit.

Chase Freedom (currently not accepting new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex

• Up to 5% cash back: Current categories include McDonald's, PayPal, pet stores, veterinary services, and select charities. Make sure to activate your categories to earn at these higher rates. The quarter concludes on Dec. 31 (and you need to activate by Dec. 14), so you have until then to register and maximize your rewards.
• $10 DoorDash non-restaurant credits: Cardholders of any Chase Freedom or Slate family cards receive one promo of up to $10 off each quarter at checkout on one grocery, convenience, or other non-restaurant order on DoorDash.

Keep in mind: Although the Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex® cards are primarily cash-back options, you can convert these earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The card details presented on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Citi

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers a range of benefits, including the following monthly credits:

• $10 in monthly Lyft credit after three rides: Simply use your card as the payment option in your account and enjoy a $10 Lyft credit after completing three rides in a month.
• Up to $10 back with Grubhub: When you make purchases with your card on Grubhub, you’ll earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits.

Citi has recently reduced the annual up to $120 Avis-Budget car rental credit associated with this card. If you applied before July 15, 2024, you can utilize this year's and next year's credits for both prepaid and postpaid rentals. However, those who applied on or after July 15, 2024, must prepay their reservation to receive the credit.

Citi® Dividend Card (not available to new applicants)

• 5% cash back: Earn 5% cash back each quarter on rotating categories. Unlike many other cards that cap bonus earnings during the quarter, Citi Dividend cardholders can earn 5% back on up to $6,000 of spending annually (then 1% thereafter), allowing you to optimize your 5% earnings throughout the year when bonus categories align with your spending. Don’t forget to activate your current categories, which include Citi Travel℠, valid through Dec. 31.

The information for the Citi Dividend has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details provided on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Discover

Discover it Cash Back

• 5% cash back: Every quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent across rotating categories, followed by unlimited 1% cash back. Be sure to activate your current categories, which include Amazon.com and Target, valid through Dec. 31. Eligible purchases on Amazon.com encompass those made during checkout, such as digital downloads, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Local Deals, Amazon Prime subscriptions, and items sold by third-party vendors on Amazon's marketplace. This also covers in-store purchases at Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh. Note that purchases made at Whole Foods Market, both online and in-store, do not qualify for this promotion. For Target, eligible purchases include those made in-store, on Target.com, and through the Target app.

The information for the Discover it® card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

• 5% cash back: Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 of spending across rotating categories, followed by unlimited 1% on other purchases made with your U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. You need to select your categories each quarter and activate them for the bonus to be effective. The current quarter is valid through Dec. 31, with categories including cellphone providers, department stores, electronics retailers, fast food outlets, furniture shops, ground transportation, gyms/fitness centers, home utilities, movie theaters, select clothing retailers, sporting goods stores, and services for TV, internet, and streaming.

The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

World Elite Mastercards

World Elite Mastercards

Various banks offer a World Elite Mastercard. Notable products in this category include the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, and the Chase Freedom Flex. Here’s what cardholders can utilize each month with these cards:

• $5 in monthly Lyft credit after three rides: Set your card as the payment method in your account and receive a $5 Lyft credit after completing three rides in a month. This benefit is valid until Sept. 30, 2025.
• Up to $5 off monthly Peacock subscriptions: Use your qualifying card to pay for a monthly Peacock streaming subscription and earn a $3 statement credit each month for Peacock Premium or a $5 statement credit for Peacock Premium Plus (the ad-free version). This benefit lasts until March 31, 2025. If you have Instacart+, perhaps via an eligible Chase card, you can get Peacock Premium (with ads) for free.
• $10 off your second Instacart order: Enroll with your eligible card to receive two complimentary months of Instacart+ membership plus $10 off your second order placed each month. This benefit is active through March 31, 2025.

Bottom line

Maximizing the perks and benefits of your credit cards is essential for enhancing their value and justifying the annual fees. Some cards simplify this process by offering benefits as a one-time annual perk. Other benefits require monthly utilization, making it easy to overlook them.

This monthly guide to credit card benefits will assist you in remembering to utilize them as we embark on a new month.