4 Travel Card Perks You're Probably Missing Out On

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Credit cards , when used wisely, can be excellent financial tools that let you build a strong credit history while earning some form of rewards. And travel credit cards are tailor-made for people who leave home regularly, whether for work trips, family visits, or all-new adventures.

If you already have a favorite travel card in your wallet, you're likely familiar with its rewards program and how it earns you points or miles with every purchase. But when was the last time you explored the details of that card to make sure you're taking full advantage of what it offers? There may be a few perks you didn't notice before that can provide a lot of value.

1. Membership fee credits

Credit card issuers often partner with other companies to provide discounts or credits to their cardholders. Depending on your card, you might get credits to cover traveler-focused benefits like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear memberships, allowing you to zip through airport security like the posh frequent flyer you are.

Other cards can offer hundreds of dollars back per year on ride-hailing services, airline fees, and hotel stays. If these are services you're already using anyway, check your credit card fine print to see how much money you can get back by using your card.

2. Shopping portal discounts

Shopping sprees can be fun, but you know what's even better? Getting those same purchases at a discount. And your travel card can help there, too.

If your card issuer has a shopping portal on its website or app, browse through the current offers to find discounts and bonus rewards at a wide variety of stores. By clicking on the offers and shopping through your card's portal, you have access to tons of savings. Offers rotate and expire, so even if you don't see something today, check back again to find a better fit.

3. Travel insurance protections

We've all likely experienced some sort of travel disruption -- a missed airline connection, a canceled flight, an empty baggage carousel with your suitcase MIA. It's an unpleasant reality of travel that something, somewhere along the line, will go awry.

The good news is that if you paid for your trip with your travel credit card, you likely have travel protections to fall back on. Many cards provide reimbursements for costs incurred due to long airline delays, cancellations, or lost luggage.

Check out your card's benefits page on the issuer's website or app to see what protections are available to you, then don't sleep in the airport terminal if your flight is canceled! Go ahead and book that hotel room. You'll rest easy knowing your card will make you whole.

4. Purchase protection

Maybe you just bought a fancy new camera for your big trip, but on the first day out -- crash-bang-splat! Now it's only a camera in the past tense. Are you out of luck?

You may have to resort to taking photos with your phone for the rest of the trip, but your travel credit card could fix the hole in your wallet. Many cards offer purchase protection, covering against damage or theft up to a certain dollar amount per item and per calendar year. Take a look at your card's benefits on the issuer's website or app to find out just how much you'll be covered for, and in what situations.

Milk your card for all it's worth

Yes, earning rewards on your spending is one of the biggest and brightest features of travel credit cards. And airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees are excellent bonus benefits that make these cards worth using.

But make sure you're aware of all the perks your card offers, and take advantage of as many as you can. There may be some that snuck by you before that will put more money in your pocket for your next trip.

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