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Key Takeaways
- Credit cards can offer surprising perks, like free museum trips, 5% back on gaming, or even crypto rewards.
- Targeted cash-back categories and perks can help you save more on the things you already buy.
When shopping for credit card rewards programs, finding cash-back categories and perks that align with your spending habits can stretch your money further. But there’s more out there than bonus airline miles and 2% cash back on every purchase.
Here are some credit card benefits you might not know are out there:
Your Bank of America Card Is a Museum Pass
Bank of America cardholders get free admission to hundreds of U.S. museums during the first full weekend of every month. The full list includes dozens of cultural institutions with options in nearly every state. The next eligible weekend is Oct. 4-5.
$7 Worth of Dunkin’ Every Month
Using the American Express Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations or through the Dunkin’ mobile app gets cardholders $7 in credit each month ($84 per year). That’s enough to buy one of the chain’s $6 meal deals, which includes a sandwich, hash browns, and coffee.
Amex offers rewards other than free coffee at Dunkin’. For example, Blue Cash Everyday cardholders get a $7 monthly credit they can use toward subscriptions for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. If you’re an Amex Blue Cash Preferred member, that gets bumped to $10 monthly.
A Card That Rewards Gambling
Most credit cards treat buying credit at casinos or on sports betting sites as a cash advance, which often comes with a transaction fee and immediate accrual of interest. Not the GBank card. Offered by (fittingly) Las Vegas-based GBank, the card offers 1% cash back on all gaming and gambling purchases, in addition to a very respectable 2% back on all other purchases.
Warning
Earning 1% cash back on gambling won’t be enough to offset losses from gambling or the card’s interest rate (up to 27.99%) if you carry a balance.
Pet Insurance and Cash Back on Kibble
The Nibbles card, from Land Bank, is here to take care of your furry friends. Cardholders enjoy free pet insurance of up to $10,000 in yearly coverage for one pet, plus 3% cash back on purchases at pet stores, grooming and boarding services, and veterinary care. Not every pet is eligible for Nibbles’ insurance, including certain types of older pets or those with specific medical conditions.
If you can do without pet insurance, the Best Friends card from Credit One Bank offers an even better 5% cash back on the first $5,000 of eligible pet purchases per year (1% thereafter).
Level Up With the PlayStation Card
The PlayStation card offers 5% back on PlayStation and Sony store purchases, such as consoles, games, and accessories. The card also rewards other gamer-focused categories, with 3% back on internet, cable, and streaming services, as well as 2% back on restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
Get Credit Rewards in Crypto
Instead of cash, the Gemini card offers its rewards in bitcoin and 50 other cryptocurrencies. Cardholders earn 4% back (up to $300 per month) on electric vehicle, gas, and transit purchases; 3% back on dining; 2% back on groceries; and 1% back on everything else.
Discounted NASCAR Tickets
The NASCAR American Express Card from Credit One Bank offers NASCAR fans discounts on select tickets and merchandise. However, stock car fans might be disappointed with the only 1% cash back on all purchases.
The Bottom Line
Niche credit card perks reward your quirky spending habits, such as restaurant cash back to a particular chain or even Bitcoin payments. But don’t forget the basics: annual fees, interest rates, and welcome bonuses often matter far more than individual benefits.
