During the pandemic, banks have been rolling out all kinds of targeted perks to retain cardholders. In early May, AMEX, Chase, and Citi all announced special benefits on various credit cards, and some have already gone live. Starting June 1, the following card benefits will also take effect:
US Bank Altitude Reserve: From June 1 through December 31, the $325 credit can also be used for dining. On top of that, direct restaurant purchases charged to the card (without using mobile payment) will also earn 3x points.
US Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card
A premium travel card with up to $325 in annual travel credits! Earn 3x on travel and mobile wallet purchases!
- Welcome bonus: 50,000 points (spend $4,500 in 3 months)
- Rewards: 3x on travel (airfare, hotels, car rentals, etc.) and mobile wallet purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeem for travel at 1.5 cents per point, or 1 cent per point for cash back
- Annual fee: $400
- Apply now>>
Citi Prestige: The $300 travel credit can be used at grocery stores and restaurants.
Premium travel card; $250 annual travel credit; fourth hotel night free!
- Welcome bonus: 50,000 ThankYou Points (Spend $4,000 in 3 months)
- Rewards: 5x on airfare and dining; 3x on hotels and cruises; 1x on everything else
- Redemption: 100 points = $1 cash back; transfer to airline miles or hotel points; with a Premier card, 100 points = $1.25 toward select hotels and airfare
- Annual fee: $495
- Apply now>>
Chase Sapphire Reserve: The $300 travel credit can be used at grocery stores and gas stations. In addition, there is 5x UR at supermarkets in June as well (up to $1,500), so make sure to max it out. Also, CSR’s 1.5c/p redemption toward eligible purchases started yesterday, so if you need it, you can go all in.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Premium perks included! Up to $2,300 in annual statement credits!
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 points (spend $6,000 in the first 3 months)
- Rewards: 8x on flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities booked through Chase Travel; 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; 1x on other purchases
- Redemption: Can be redeemed for cash back; can be transferred 1:1 to airline and hotel partners; up to 1:2 redemption for premium hotels and flights; value 1.6 cents/point
- Annual fee: $795
- Apply now>>
AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: From June 1 to August 31, purchases at U.S. restaurants can be reimbursed with the $300 Marriott Bonvoy Statement Credit.
AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card
Complimentary Marriott Platinum Elite status; annual 85k free night certificate and up to $300 in dining statement credits each year
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 Marriott points (spend $6,000 in 6 months) + 50,000 (spend another $2,000 in 6 months)
- Rewards: 6x at SPG/Marriott/Ritz-Carlton hotels, 3x on airfare and dining, 2x on everything else
- Redemption: Redeemable at SPG/Marriott/Ritz-Carlton properties, or transfer to airline miles at up to a 3:1.25 ratio
- Annual fee: $650
- Apply now>>
Hilton Honors Aspire: From June 1 to August 31, purchases at U.S. restaurants can be reimbursed with the $250 Hilton Resort Statement Credit.
AMEX Hilton Aspire Credit Card
Complimentary top-tier Hilton Diamond status! Up to $600 in annual airline and hotel credits, plus a free night reward every year!
- Welcome bonus: 150,000 Hilton points (spend $6,000 in six months)
- Rewards: 14x on Hilton hotel purchases, 7x on flights, dining, and car rentals, and 3x on all other purchases
- Redemption: Redeemable at Hilton properties worldwide
- Annual fee: $550
- Apply now>>
Depending on your own situation, you can decide whether it makes sense to apply for any of these premium cards. Also, the monthly credits have refreshed, so you can start using them now.
- Monthly $10/$20 wireless credit (AMEX Green, all versions of Platinum)
- Monthly $20 streaming credit (all versions of personal Platinum)
- Monthly $20 shipping credit (Business Platinum)
- Monthly $15 Uber/UberEATS credit (all versions of personal Platinum)
- AMEX Gold $10 dining credit
Finally, one more complaint about the AMEX Platinum card: when are they going to fix that annoying airline incidental fee credit? Even changing half of it into a grocery credit would be nice!