Best cards for "other" perks?

Most of the discussion around here seems to focus on cards that provide CashBack, miles, or points. However, a smattering of AMEX and Visa Signature cards also offer some other perks such as extended warranties, purchase protection, roadside assistance, etc,. and I can't seem to find any comprehensive overview of what the various card issuers are offering in terms of these "nontraditional" perks.

What other benefits are out there, are they worth it, and which cards offer the best ones? I'm pretty happy with my PenFed Platinum Rewards card for general everyday use, although it doesn't seem to offer much beyond the gimmick-free points system.

What card(s) should I be looking to add to my wallet, particularly for big purchases where a free extended warranty might come in handy?

Thanks in advance!

Does "customer service" count? I have been a long time AMEX card holder. Friends, relatives questioned the worthiness of spending $150 on annual membership fee. My response has always been definitely worth it.

If you strictly want reward points, mileage, and other "bonus", I don't think AMEX is the best choice. However, AMEX customer service is absolutely the best. Whenever I have to dispute a charge, AMEX ALWAYS try to conference the vendor in. If Vendor does not respond, AMEX would get to it. In addition, I never have to file anything for dispute. This doesn't mean AMEX always rule in my favor, a few times during the calls, it was pointed out something that I neglected.

Filing for extra warranty, price protection were never a hassle. Customer service always gladly help out.

Word of warning: They call themselves Chase because you'll spend forever chasing after them.

The issuer of the card is more important than the Visa/MC/Signature/Etc. distinction.

AMEX

$125/year - worth it

4 roadside assistance events a year - towing/jump/lockout/etc
Extended warranty coverage - I filed once for a TiVo's broken fan and they credited me back the entire amount. For a laptop repair, I sent in a quote and they credited it immediately
Easy chargebacks - I can't remember the last time, if ever, I've lost a chargeback. Interesting info about "automatic chargebacks" - link
Ticket protection if you can't go - haven't tried this one yet

Basically knowing that if I'm not 100% satisfied with whatever I've purchased I can more than likely get my money back is why I stick with AMEX.

To clarify: I know that things vary from issuer to issuer. Which are the good ones?

AMEX is generally the best in terms of ease on warranty claims , chargebacks etc. Visa is best for rental car insurance . MasterCard is worst for extended warranty

As far as "other" perks , search the archived Hello Kitty card thread

the charge card with the $125 annual fee

SUCKISSTAPLES said:   As far as "other" perks , search the archived Hello Kitty card thread

Dang, you beat me to it

fwratz1 said:   SUCKISSTAPLES said:   the charge card with the $125 annual fee

Thanks.

I did some research on my own and here is the list of all AMEX cards that offer roadside assistance:


http://www304.americanexpress.com/getthecard/compare-cards/roads...

Careful.... they offer "Roadside Assistance", not "FREE Roadside Assistance".

This benefit is a coordination of the service and the Cardmember is responsible for all costs associated with this service. Coverage is applicable to the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

vickh said:   larryc said:   fwratz1 said:   SUCKISSTAPLES said:   the charge card with the $125 annual fee

Thanks.

I did some research on my own and here is the list of all AMEX cards that offer roadside assistance:


http://www304.americanexpress.com/getthecard/compare-cards/roads...

Careful.... they offer "Roadside Assistance", not "FREE Roadside Assistance".

This benefit is a coordination of the service and the Cardmember is responsible for all costs associated with this service. Coverage is applicable to the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

AMEX Gold offers FREE Roadside Assistance AFAIK. We should start a quick summary
Annual fee is $175, right? The roadside assistance is a minimal portion afaik - Geico gives me that for just under $6/year. So I see it as paying $169/year for everything else, and most of the benefits really seem to come with the Blue Cash. At least the ones that apply to me personally...

As much as people complain about Chase, one of the benefits for a hugely anti-social person like myself is their Secure Message center, through which you can do almost anything. I've reallocated balances, closed cards, and changed card types, all with a few lines of text and within hours of asking.

I've closed 3 accounts this week, and they *all* made me call a special number and talk to at least 2 "account specialists" and listen to scripted dialogue - except for Chase. I sent them a message that said "I'd like to close my Freedom and have the credit moved to my Sapphire card, as I use it more often. In less than 45 minutes it was done.

Probably not 'perk' for most people, but it helps me.

cKGunslinger said:   As much as people complain about Chase, one of the benefits for a hugely anti-social person like myself is their Secure Message center, through which you can do almost anything. I've reallocated balances, closed cards, and changed card types, all with a few lines of text and within hours of asking.

I've closed 3 accounts this week, and they *all* made me call a special number and talk to at least 2 "account specialists" and listen to scripted dialogue - except for Chase. I sent them a message that said "I'd like to close my Freedom and have the credit moved to my Sapphire card, as I use it more often. In less than 45 minutes it was done.

Probably not 'perk' for most people, but it helps me.

+1 except

they've closed cards but wouldn't reallocate credit for me over Secure Message

qwerty12345otron said:   airblade said:   I have a AMEX platinum business CREDIT card, no fee and pretty much all the perks in this thread. I also have a AMEX gold rewards card , but i no longer use it, the NPSL feature was poking holes in my CC score every time i used it, and AMEX will not change it...............

Regarding the NPSL, while it may affect a generic "credit score" the modern FICO scoring models (excluding TU 98 from myfico) generally don't have this sensitivity.

Is it signifant hit ? I haven't noticed it but rarely use my AMEX gold rewards card

Dynastar454 said:   cKGunslinger said:   As much as people complain about Chase, one of the benefits for a hugely anti-social person like myself is their Secure Message center, through which you can do almost anything. I've reallocated balances, closed cards, and changed card types, all with a few lines of text and within hours of asking.

I've closed 3 accounts this week, and they *all* made me call a special number and talk to at least 2 "account specialists" and listen to scripted dialogue - except for Chase. I sent them a message that said "I'd like to close my Freedom and have the credit moved to my Sapphire card, as I use it more often. In less than 45 minutes it was done.

Probably not 'perk' for most people, but it helps me.

I've never had any problems closing Citi Cards via secure message either.
I really like Chase for the above reason as well - it's very convenient to get these things done at work when I can just send a message and know that they'll take care of it, versus being on the phone.

vickh said:   larryc said:   fwratz1 said:   SUCKISSTAPLES said:   the charge card with the $125 annual fee

Thanks.

I did some research on my own and here is the list of all AMEX cards that offer roadside assistance:


http://www304.americanexpress.com/getthecard/compare-cards/roads...

Careful.... they offer "Roadside Assistance", not "FREE Roadside Assistance".

This benefit is a coordination of the service and the Cardmember is responsible for all costs associated with this service. Coverage is applicable to the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

AMEX Gold offers FREE Roadside Assistance AFAIK. We should start a quick summary

I have used their roadside assistance service, it's "free" up to $50 worth of service.

My +1 vote for AMEX. By far the best credit card company that I have dealt with - particularly when it comes to warranty type stuff. MC - stay away from it - MC warranty is "worthless" (they should switch from "priceless" to "worthless") - asking customer to get a $80 estimate for a $30 item is like saying - "you have no warranty".

I have also had some great deals from AMEX Twitter/facebook/small business Saturday promotions. Most of my AMEX cards are no fee variety.

+1 to the Plat card, especially if you fly DL, AA or US. Pays for itself in year 1 with the bonus MR, but not so much in subsequent years.

cKGunslinger said:   As much as people complain about Chase, one of the benefits for a hugely anti-social person like myself is their Secure Message center, through which you can do almost anything. I've reallocated balances, closed cards, and changed card types, all with a few lines of text and within hours of asking.

I've closed 3 accounts this week, and they *all* made me call a special number and talk to at least 2 "account specialists" and listen to scripted dialogue - except for Chase. I sent them a message that said "I'd like to close my Freedom and have the credit moved to my Sapphire card, as I use it more often. In less than 45 minutes it was done.

Probably not 'perk' for most people, but it helps me.

+1 here too

solved a lot of problems through that system, including credits for incorrect interest charges, etc. Once i used my credit card instead of my ATM card to withdraw cash [cards look the same] and got hit with a cash out fee - solved it and got it back through their secure message. haven't have to call a live rep in a long time.