ShopSmart Reveals Little-Known Credit-Card Perks

Credit card benefits can help shoppers save big bucks this holiday season

YONKERS, NY – Many credit-card users can be saving hundreds, or even thousands of dollars by using their plastic and they may not even know it.  The November 2012 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from Consumer Reports, spotlights seven lesser-known credit-card perks that users may not even know exist, including partner discounts, extra product warranties, additional cash back, price protection and more. 
 
“Visiting your credit-card’s website is a good first step to finding out what benefits you may be missing out on, along with any rules and limitations you many need to know,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “Knowing these perks ahead of time can help you shop smarter and save big, especially during the holidays when you’ve got a full list of friends and family to buy for.”

Here are three examples of credit-card benefits to lookout for – the entire list is featured in ShopSmart’s November issue.

1. Extra product warranties. Some issuers automatically extend manufacturer warranties, usually up to a year – a great perk for expensive items that otherwise would be costly to replace. But it usually also applies to cheaper items that consumers may not know comes with a warranty, such as eyeglasses or coffeemakers.

2. Coverage for damaged goods. A credit card with theft, damage, and loss coverage reimburses users for items purchased with it that are lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged within a stated time period, often 90 days. But some cards limit the number of times users can make a claim within a certain time period.

3. Rental-car coverage and travel insurance. Some credit-card issuers will cover any loss to a rental vehicle, up to certain limits.  Some cards also offer trip cancellation, which covers losses if the user has to cancel plans, perhaps due to illness or injury. But check card issuers’ rules about what doesn’t qualify and how much can be recouped.

About Consumer Reports:
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication’s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. It’s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $5.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.