Summary of temporary credit card benefits during this pandemic (updated 10/24/2020 - Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, etc.)

There are some recent updates for our featured review, mostly for Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Preferred, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex.  We copy the content of the review below and highlight the updates in cardinal.

Updated October 22, 2020.

COVID-19 has obviously changed consumer behavior in a way that most of us probably would had never anticipated before, and it only makes sense that credit card issuers have been making adjustments accordingly.  This review summarizes all the temporary benefits provided by credit card issuers during this pandemic.
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American Express

• For those who open an Amex card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
• Platinum Card (personal): (1) Receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & select U.S. streaming services (up to $20 per category per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Cardmembers that renew between April and December 2020 will receive $200 in statement credits for Amex Travel (Amex's travel booking portal) between 8/1/2020 and 12/31/2021.  (3) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx Membership Rewards (MR) points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,000+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".  (4) Select cardmembers receive a $100 statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. between 9/3/2020 and 1/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Business Platinum Card: (1) Receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & U.S. shipping (up to $20 per category per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Receive up to additional $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. (up to $100 between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020; up to $100 between 7/1/2020 and 12/31/2020) - this is on top of the annual $200 Dell credits that are already part of this card's benefits.  (3) Select cardmembers also receive a $200 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Gold Card (personal): Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $5,500+, get 5,500 MR points, up to 3 times".
• Green Card (personal): (1) Receive up to $80 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services (up to $10 per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary.
• EveryDay Preferred Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $1,500+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".
• EveryDay Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,500+, get 3,500 MR points, up to 3 times".
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: (1) The annual $300 Marriott statement credits can be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (3) Earn 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $7,500 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (4) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: (1) Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (3) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Hilton Aspire Card: (1) The annual $250 Hilton resort credits can now be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (4) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  (5) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  Note that Hilton Aspire already offers complimentary Hilton Diamond status, so this offer will only make sense if you are working towards lifetime status.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.
• Hilton Surpass Card: (1) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (3) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  (4) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.
• Hilton Card (personal): Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.
• Hilton Business Card: Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020,  select business cardmembers receive a $125 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $100 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020, select business cardmembers receive a $75 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 MQMs per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. 
• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card: (1) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Both versions earn 4x miles at U.S. restaurants and 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit at americanexpress.com/deltagoldoffers. 
•  Delta SkyMiles Blue Card : Earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. 

Bank of America

• Premier Rewards: Receive $50 statement credits for grocery & dining through 12/31/2020.
• Travel Rewards: You may redeem points for statement credits towards grocery & dining at 1 cent per point value through 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel redemption option at this value).

Capital One

• Venture, VentureOne: (1) Receive 5x miles on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.  (2) Miles may be redeemed for food delivery, take out, streaming services between 4/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.
• Savor, SavorOne: Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.

Chase

• For those who open a new credit card (personal or small business) between 1/1/2020 and 3/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirements to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
• Sapphire Reserve Card: (1) The annual fee will be reduced from $550 to $450 when you renew between 4/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) The annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020, in addition to the regular travel category). [NEW]  (3) Between 5/31/2020 and 4/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]  (4) Between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020, earn 5x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchases per month.  (5) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 10x points on select streaming services*, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 5x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 5x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases; *eligible streaming services include Apple Music, Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Sling, SiriusXM, Spotify, Youtube TV, and Vudu.  (6) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month. [NEW]  (7) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership; Instacart Express membership usually costs either $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and provides the following benefits: (a) zero delivery fees on orders over $35 (typically $3.99-$7.99 per order), (b) reduced service fees (typically 5%), and (c) zero busy pricing fees during peak delivery hours.  (8) Don't forget the two useful DoorDash benefits that has already existed before the pandemic: (a) one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021; this subscription service offers zero delivery fee and reduced service fees on food orders over $12 via DoorDash; (b) Receive $60 statement credits for DoorDash purchases through 12/31/2020 and another $60 through 12/31/2021.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 4/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 5x points on select streaming services, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 3x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 3x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases.  (4) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 2x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month. [NEW]  (5) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership.  (6) ​Sapphire Preferred cardmembers also continue to receive this DoorDash benefit: one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021.
• Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Plus: Between 10/1/2020 and 12/31/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible online advertising & shipping & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal). [NEW]
• Chase Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom: Effective 10/1/2020, with no end date, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point. [NEW]
• United Club Infinite Card, United Club Card, United Presidential Plus Card: (1) Earn 5x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• United Explorer Card, United MileagePlus Select Card: (1) Earn 3x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• Southwest RapidRewards (RR) Plus Visa, Southwest RR Premier Visa, Southwest RR Priority Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• British Airways Visa, Iberia Visa, Aer Lingus Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers earn 7x points on groceries & gas & dining, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020:  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Rewards Premier: (1) Annual free night certificates (for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless & Marriott Rewards Premier) expiring in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (2) Earn 6x points on groceries, up to $6,000 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (3) Earn 10x points on dining & gas, up to $3,500 in purchase, between 7/15/2020 and 9/30/2020 - unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.
• World of Hyatt Visa, Hyatt Visa: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2021. [NEW]  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.
• IHG Rewards Club Premier WEMC, IHG Rewards Club Select MC: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid until 12/31/2020; newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for 18 months (instead of 12 months).  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Select cardmembers earn 5x points or miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.
• Disney Premier Visa: (1) Earn 3% on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5% on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.

 Citi 

• For those who open a credit card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus will be extended for three months.
• Citi Prestige: (1) The annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries & dining, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 5x points on online purchases, up to $1,500 spent in this category (in addition to the regular 5x on airlines | travel agencies | dining, 3x on hotels | cruise lines), between 6/2/2020 and 8/31/2020.
• Citi Premier cardholders who applied on or after April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries & dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through August 22, 2020.  (3) Effective August 23, 2020, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
• Citi Premier cardholders who applied before April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries and dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through April 9, 2021.  (3) Effective April 10, 2021, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
• Citi AA Executive: Cardholders that renew after 3/31/2020 receive a $225 statement credit, which equals to half of the annual fee.
• Citi AA Platinum Select: The annual $125 flight discount certificates (after $20K annual spending) that are expiring between 3/31/2020 and 5/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.
• CitiBusiness AA Platinum Select: The annual $99 companion certificates (after $30K annual spending) that are expiring on 12/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.

HSBC

• Premier Word Elite MasterCard: (1) Earn 3x points at groceries stores & wholesale clubs & convenience stores between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (2) You may now use the annual $100 Uber credits towards Uber Eats between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020 (regularly this credit can only be used towards Uber ride share service).

U.S. Bank

• US Bank Altitude Reserve: (1) The annual $325 travel credits can be used towards dining, between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel & mobile wallets), between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

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