How do I remember to use Visa Signature benefits, such as extended warranty on purchases?

Question

My bank has upgraded my credit card to a Visa Signature card, which comes with benefits such as Warranty Manager Service (up to one additional year of warranty), Purchase Security (reimbursement for stolen/damaged items within 90 days of purchase), Emergency Card Replacement/Cash Disbursement, Travel Accident Insurance (accidental death and dismemberment), Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Roadside Dispatch, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, and a Concierge Service.

I've had a card before with some of these services and didn't manage to use them much. Most of them are a kind of insurance, so that's probably for the better. But I'm sure I've had situations where I could have used Warranty Manager or Purchase Security and just totally forgot about its existence.

Is there a good way to remember about the existence of these benefits when they are actually needed?

Answer 1

These cards with added benefits often come with an annual fee, so you're right that it's worth understanding specific features (and requirements) for your own card's services, and taking advantage of them when appropriate.

As far as the "Roadside Dispatch" service goes, one of my own credit cards offers a similar benefit. Using a label maker, I printed a label reading: "Roadside assistance: 1-800-xxx-xxxx", with the roadside assistance service's phone number on it. I stuck that to the back of the credit card, because:

First, frequently seeing that label on the back of my card reminds me I have access to the service. I'm also reminded that both the card & cardholder (me) need to be present to take advantage of the service, no matter which car is in trouble. Once, I called to get my mom-in-law's car a free tow, when I happened to be around and her car was having trouble. (Familiarize yourself with how your service would operate.)

Second, the phone number is there when I need it. That is, I wouldn't have to make two calls, one to cardmember services to first find out the roadside assistance number, and then to the service. This may sound trivial, but trust me, you don't want to be waiting on hold for cardmember services when you're at the side of the road with a mobile phone you forgot to fully charge the night before!

Answer 2

Well, when you get into a situation when you have a thing broken a day after the warranty expires, you have to remember to ask yourself - did I check my credit card benefits?

That happened to me, and I got all my expenses covered by Amex (the "Warranty Manager" case). I wrote about it on my blog.

Try just putting a note with all your warranty cards, or writing on them directly "extended by my Visa for additional year".

Answer 3

I scan the receipts for anything that is worth enough for me to care about warranty replacement -- usually anything over about $200. The key to all of these services is having a copy of the receipt, and I've found that the paper copies either create a lot of mess, or the thermal paper becomes illegible after a year or two.