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Free Perks You Didn't Know You Have

by Jamie Lettis and Kevin Brasler

Last updated in March 2017 Checkbook staff sifted through member benefits that come with credit cards, warehouse clubs, health insurance plans, and more, and discovered dozens of mostly unknown perks.

Finding $20 in your coat pocket. An on-the-house latte at the coffee shop. An upgrade at check-in to a sweet suite. You gotta love surprises, especially free-stuff surprises.

When Checkbook went hunting for membership perks, we found that many credit card companies, health insurers, and membership groups often provide their customers with free, often hidden perks, from gratis child seats when you rent a car to steep discounts to tech support for your purchases. Below we share examples of free gets you've already got—but probably don’t know about. By doing your own treasure hunt, you’ll likely find many more.

Why do companies give away something they could sell? The answer depends somewhat on the type of business giving it away. Competition for new credit card customers is so intense that banks often advertise features and benefits to present themselves as unique from the other plastic options. You can get some freebies simply because you belong to a group (AAA, credit unions, etc.) with which businesses want to partner to gain access to millions of potential customers. Most health insurance plans offer free or discounted stuff that promotes healthy lifestyles—and reduces medical costs.

But once a credit card counts you as a customer, it might not worry so much about reminding you about what you get. And sometimes organizations and companies do a lousy job of telling members about partner deals, or have so many partnerships it’s difficult to market them all.

Keep in mind, of course, that sometimes even “free” isn’t worth the bother. Free trials often come with not-at-all-free monthly charges if you don’t cancel. Sometimes it’s a hassle to trigger a member benefit: You probably won’t, for example, want to spend an hour jumping through a bunch of hoops to exercise a “lowest-price guarantee” program offered by your credit card just to save $5. And you for sure shouldn’t pick a credit card based solely on getting a small discount at Disney—also compare annual fees, interest rates, and other serious-business details.


There are lots of reasons to pay with a credit or debit card. Many offer points toward free travel or merchandise or cash back. And we've told you about how federal laws and the policies of credit card companies combine to let you easily get your money back if you use a credit or debit card to pay for what turns out to be lousy services or products. Many cards also come with other purchase-protection perks, most of which kick in when you use your card to buy something:

Warehouse Clubs

Many warehouse clubs deliver more than just low prices, 10-year supplies of paper products, and samples, samples, everywhere.

Health Insurance Plans

Many health insurers offer free or discounted products and services that promote healthy habits—or, if you’re a cynic, to attract a large pool of health-conscious customers who are less likely to run up huge medical bills.


Along with towing, tire changes, and battery-replacement services, AAA memberships often come with freebies. Since availability, fees, and policies vary from local association to association, check with yours to see what you get.


Most Prime subscribers signed on for free two-day shipping and to stream movies, TV, and some pretty good original content. But the $99-a-year subscription also offers:

More Perk Providers

Other groups offer even more perks. Good places to go hunting for them include credit unions, USAA, and college alumni groups.

