Lucky from One Mile at a Time (H/T) has reported today that Amex has added new credits to select co-branded credit cards. American Express’ credits are great ways to help justify their cards’ annual fees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Amex credits are available for the rest of 2021.
American Express has partnerships and co-branded credit cards with Delta, Hilton, and Marriott. These credit cards are the ones receiving the credits. The personal credit cards are currently offering monthly dining credits and the business credit cards are currently offering monthly wireless credits.
What’s Going On?
Personal Credit Cards
There are four levels of monthly dining credits that correspond to the different tiers of credit cards. Premium options will receive the most Amex Credits and no annual fee options will receive the least.
The following personal credit cards are offering $20 per month upon spending the same amount at US Restaurants:
Plus, the following credit cards are offering $10 monthly credits:
Moreover, the Delta Platinum SkyMiles Card is offering a $15 monthly credit. And the no annual fee Hilton Honors Card is offering a $5 monthly credit.
Business Credit Cards
Similarly, Amex’s co-branded business credit cards will receive monthly wireless cell phone credits. As with the personal cards, the more premium options are offering the most credits.
The Delta Reserve for Business Card is offering a $20 monthly credit, which is the largest of the bunch.
Plus, the Delta Platinum Business Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card are offering a $15 monthly credit.
Finally, the Delta Gold SkyMiles Business Card and the Hilton Honors Business Card are offering a $10 monthly credit.
How Do the Credits Work?
This morning, fellow Travel Update writer The Points Pundit (H/T) noticed an Amex Offer worth $20 in his account. His offer said the following:
You can earn a $20 credit on all dining, delivery and takeout purchases at US restaurants each month in 2021. You’ll get a maximum credit of $20 per month. This offer is valid until December 31, 2021.
In other words, the first step in accepting these new credits are going into your Amex Offers on your computer or via the Amex mobile app and selecting them.
Fortunately, the credits are valid once per calendar month starting today, February 1, 2021. The credits can be used up to 11 times throughout 2021. Credits will appear on your statement each month.
However, the only caveat with the credits is that cardholders must have had their cards before January 1, 2021. Cardholders who were approved in January 2021 are not eligible. Plus, core American Express cards, such as the Platinum Card and the Green Card, are not eligible for the credits either.
Final Draw
American Express is continuing to provide value for their cardholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary perks like these credits began in 2020 but have continued into 2021.
The total value of these Amex credits depends on the amount you receive and your credit card’s annual fee (if applicable). No annual fee Hilton Honors cardholders can receive up to $55 in total value, which is fantastic for a no annual fee credit cards. Conversely, premium cardholders can receive up to $220 in total value, which is 40% of a $550 annual fee.
Personally, I will be receiving up to $110 in total credits with my Hilton Surpass card. The credits alone justify my card’s $95 annual fee and then some. In fact, I will realize an additional $15 in value over 2021. The Surpass Card’s other perks and Gold Elite Status are now extra value.
