Love is in the air, which means the first big-spending holiday of 2023 is upon us.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for your partner or treating yourself to something special, don’t shop for Valentine’s Day without these credit card perks.
Use the American Express® Gold Card dining credit
If you’re spending a romantic evening at home or going out to a new restaurant, the American Express® Gold Card has your back.
In addition to earning an impressive 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x at U.S. supermarkets), the Amex Gold includes an up to $120 annual dining statement credit ($10 per month) when you pay with your card at merchants such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates & fees). Enrollment required for select benefits.
Even if you don’t frequently dine at any of the restaurants mentioned, you can also use the monthly $10 credit for takeout and delivery at Grubhub. Just don’t forget to register beforehand.
On top of the dining credit, cardholders also receive a $10 monthly credit (up to $120 in annual Uber Cash) that can be used for Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (You must add the card to the Uber app to receive this benefit).
Related: Best cards for takeout and food delivery
Spoil them with a hotel stay
If you have a card that comes with an annual free night certificate, Valentine’s Day is a great time to use it for a short romantic getaway.
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The World of Hyatt Credit Card, for example, comes with an annual free night certificate that can be used at any category 1-4 hotel or resort, such as The Eliza Jane in New Orleans. However, you may need to wait several weeks for your card’s free night to appear in your account, so this option requires some advance planning.
If you don’t have time to wait for the free night to arrive, you can book any hotel with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and then “pay” with your miles to eliminate the hotel purchase from your statement. You can redeem Venture miles at a flat 1 cent apiece for a statement credit against any eligible travel purchases (including hotel and Airbnb stays) you’ve made with the card in the last 90 days. If a quick getaway isn’t in your plans, you can also redeem these miles for restaurant delivery and streaming services.
Related: 6 unique ways to redeem Capital One Venture miles
Save and earn with Amex Offers
If you don’t know about Amex Offers, it’s never too late to familiarize yourself with these great deals that are linked to your American Express cards. Amex Offers allow you to save money or earn valuable Membership Rewards points with many shopping, dining and travel brands. Once you’ve added the targeted Amex Offers to your American Express cards, you just have to make purchases with your card at those merchants.
From flower retailers such as 1-800-Flowers to big department stores like Macy’s and luxury fashion retailers like Jimmy Choo, there’s bound to be an Amex Offer that will save you cash or earn you valuable transferable points this Valentine’s Day. To tack on even more savings, don’t forget to use a shopping portal for your online purchases. Eligibility for these offers is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.
Related: The secret to getting more Amex Offers on your card
Plan something special
If you’re in the market this Valentine’s for something a bit more grand, such as an engagement ring or a high-ticket item, you may want to consider a card with a promotional 0% annual percentage rate (APR) offer to help ease your financial burden. Of course, as always, we strongly recommend you pay the balance off before the promotional period expires to avoid paying any interest.
And you can earn a $200 welcome bonus on top of your 0% APR offer if you choose to get the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Freedom Flex℠ for your major purchase.
If you plan on paying your entire purchase off in full right away, you might also consider a card with a limited-time elevated welcome offer, and earn a heap of cash back or points from the sign-up bonus, which usually requires a few thousand dollars in spending.
Related: Use these cards to maximize large purchases
Check for Visa and Mastercard deals
You may have a Visa or Mastercard that offers extra perks and luxury benefits such as rental car insurance, discounts at luxury hotels, concierge services and purchase protection if your high-priced item is lost or stolen. Both networks feature their own benefits programs on some of their premium cards.
For example, some cards with the Visa Signature, Visa Infinite or Mastercard World Elite designation — like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Citi Premier® Card — feature extra perks for cardholders such as VIP tickets, fine dining experiences and beyond. For example, you could save 15% off a basket of goodies at Harry & David by using your Visa card or RSVP for a celebrity cooking class with Mastercard’s Priceless Cities program from the comfort of your home.
Related: Comparing Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard benefits
Bottom line
Valentine’s Day can get expensive quickly but you don’t have to spend a ton on this romantic day to make it special. By strategizing a bit with your credit card perks, you can generate extra rewards points, deliver a memorable experience or produce valuable savings on your holiday purchases.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, please click here.
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson.
