How Credit Card Issuers Are Responding to COVID-19
General assistance is available with a phone call or online chat, but some issuers are taking specific steps for individual cards.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, most major credit card issuers have alerted cardholders that help is available. Initial guidance was mostly general: Conduct transactions online; be aware of updated customer service hours; contact us and we may be able to help.
But many issuers have been releasing more details about the terms and conditions of assistance, with certain aid even targeted to individual credit card products. Here’s what you can expect from your issuer.
Nerdy tip: Some COVID-19-related aid is being made available to cardholders automatically; other forms of assistance you must specifically ask for.
How is your card issuer helping?
Nerdy tip: Mastercard — which is a payment network but not a credit card issuer — has announced the following benefits: As of April 1, 2021, World and World Elite cardholders who are new to DashPass, the DoorDash subscription program, will get a free three-month membership and new and existing DashPass members will automatically get a $5 discount on their first two orders each month when they with a World or World Elite card. Additionally, cardholders get 5% back on each purchase from the meal-kit delivery service HelloFresh, while new customers will receive a discount on their first few orders. The payment network is also offering a number of other deals for World and World Elite cardholders.
NerdWallet Guide to COVID-19
Get answers about stimulus checks, debt relief, changing travel policies and managing your finances.
American Express
Hardship program online: American Express allows cardholders in difficult circumstances to directly access its financial hardship program online. Most issuers don't have dedicated websites for such programs and don't publicize them in this way. (To inquire about hardship accommodations with other issuers, you often must go through general-purpose customer service first, which can increase your wait time for assistance.)
Limited-time deal with Calm app: AmEx consumer and corporate cardholders can get a complimentary year of Calm Premium, plus half off the subscription for the next year. Terms apply.
Limited-time statement credit for Variis by Equinox: From Oct. 9, 2020, to April 1, 2021, most eligible cardholders can get $10 back every month in statement credit toward a membership with at-home fitness program Variis by Equinox. Terms apply. Terms also differ for The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. See below.
AmEx previously offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
More time to earn bonuses: AmEx announced in early April 2020 that new cardholders would get more time to earn the welcome bonus on eligible credit cards. The three-month extension was phrased this way: "Due to the impact of COVID-19, for eligible card accounts approved from December 1, 2019, through May 31, 2020, for which you are eligible for a welcome offer, the period to make eligible purchases to earn your welcome bonus will be extended for an additional 3 months. Eligible cards are U.S. consumer and business cards issued by American Express National Bank to a basic card member." Terms apply. This offer extended to AmEx’s co-branded hotel and airline cards, too.
Limited-time bonus rewards on multiple cards: In May 2020, American Express unveiled multiple limited-time offerings across a number of its credit cards, including bonus rewards on groceries plus statement credits in new categories such as select streaming services. See our story for a full list of cards affected. Terms apply.
Limited-time statement credit for purchases at small businesses: From June 20 through Sept. 20, 2020, qualifying AmEx cardholders who made a purchase of $10 or more at participating small businesses could earn a $5 statement credit.
Limited-time bonus on Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors points transfers: AmEx announced that eligible consumer cardholders would get 40% more Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points when transferring Membership Rewards points through Oct. 31, 2020. Terms apply.
Limited-time statement credit for Marriott Bonvoy: Eligible consumer and business cardholders could earn a $75 statement credit when they enrolled their card in the featured AmEx Offer online and then used their card to spend $250 or more on stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties through Dec. 31, 2020. Terms apply.
AmEx has also announced limited-time changes to these specific cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
(see rates and fees)
limited-time travel creditS and Discounts for select customers
From August 2020 through December 2021, select holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express will get up to $200 in statement credits when they use the card for qualifying purchases via the American Express Travel platform. Terms apply. AmEx notes that eligible cardholders will get more information about this offer "when it becomes available." This card offered a similar deal in 2020.
Additionally, Until Dec. 31, 2020, cardholders had access to lower fares on qualifying domestic flights booked through American Express Travel. (The lower fares are available for travel through March 31, 2021.) Terms apply.
NEW SIGN-UP BONUS
As of Nov. 12, 2020, new cardholders will get the following sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. Previously, new account openers could earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
BONUS REWARDS ON GROCERY AND GAS PURCHASES
Starting Nov. 12, 2020, new cardholders will earn 10 points per $1 spent at U.S. gas stations and supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during their first six months of card membership. Terms apply. Such spending typically only earns 1 point.
paypal Statement credit
From Jan. 1 through June 30, 2021, cardholders can get $30 per month in statement credits on eligible PayPal purchases (up to $180 in credits over six months). Terms apply.
Dell.com statement credit
As of Aug. 3, 2020, cardholders can get $100 back on any Dell.com purchase of $100 or more. Enrollment via AmEx Offers is required; offer lasts through Jan. 31, 2021. Terms apply.
'Variis by Equinox' credit
From Oct. 9, 2020, to June 30, 2021, eligible cardholders can get $25 back every month in statement credit toward a membership with at-home fitness program Variis by Equinox. Terms apply.
Additional offers
The Platinum Card® from American Express is featuring several other limited-time offers, also available through June 30, 2021. Terms apply.
The card also previously offered statement credits toward select streaming services in May 2020.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
(see rates and fees)
LIMITED-TIME TRAVEL CREDITS AND DISCOUNTS FOR SELECT CUSTOMERS
Until Dec. 31, 2020, cardholders have access to lower fares on qualifying domestic flights booked through American Express Travel. (The lower fares are available for travel through March 31, 2021.) Terms apply. This promotion is also available to holders of the Centurion card.
This card also previously offered a complimentary night or a statement credit at select properties for eligible AmEx Travel Fine Hotels + Resorts stays booked through American Express Travel by Dec. 18, 2020 (for stays through Dec. 20, 2020).
Bonus rewards on several spending categories
Through June 30, 2021, eligible cardholders can earn 4 bonus points per $1 spent on several spending categories including U.S. shipping, advertising, gas purchases, wireless expenses and office supplies (up to 80,000 points per category). Terms apply. Such spending typically only earns 1 point.
Several AmEx business cards are featuring similar limited-time AmEx Offers, also through June 30, 2021. Terms apply.
American Express® Green Card
(see rates and fees)
Access to Eats Pass from Uber
As of Oct. 26, 2020, cardholders can get up to 12 months of Eats Pass from Uber for free. This is a monthly subscription that typically costs $119 a year ($9.99 per month) and offers deals on takeout. Enrollment by Dec. 31, 2021 is required; auto-billing will start 12 months from initial enrollment at the then-ongoing monthly rate. Learn more. Terms Apply.
From May through December 2020, this card also offered up to $80 in statement credits toward wireless telephone services from U.S. service providers.
American Express® Gold Card
(see rates and fees)
MONTHLY Uber CASH and Access to Eats Pass
As of Oct. 26, 2020, cardholders can get up to 12 months of Eats Pass from Uber for free. This is a monthly subscription that typically costs $119 a year ($9.99 per month) and offers deals on takeout. Enrollment by Dec. 31, 2021 is required; auto-billing will start 12 months from initial enrollment at the then-ongoing monthly rate. Learn more. Terms Apply.
Starting early 2021, cardholders will also get $10 a month in Uber Cash (up to $120 a year), usable toward U.S. Uber Eats orders or for traditional Uber rides, when they add their card to the Uber app. Unused credit cannot be rolled over to the next month. Terms Apply.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express and American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
(see rates and fees for Blue Cash; see rates and fees for Blue Plus)
Additional statement credits
From Aug. 6 through Nov. 4, 2020, these cards offered new cardholders up to $300 in statement credits toward qualifying purchases with Dell Technologies, DocuSign and FedEx within the first three months of account opening.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
(see rates and fees)
From Oct. 9, 2020, to June 30, 2021, eligible cardholders can get $10 back every month in statement credit toward a membership with at-home fitness program Variis by Equinox. Terms apply.
Delta credit cards issued by American Express
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve cards
For a limited time, select Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve products can earn monthly credits on dining purchases and wireless services. This benefit is being offered by the following cards:
For a limited time, qualifying Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve products offered eligible existing cardholders 5 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases (up from 3 miles per $1 spent). This offer is now expired. Terms apply.
Delta Skymiles Gold cards
For a limited time, select Delta SkyMiles Gold products can earn monthly credits on dining purchases and wireless services. This benefit is being offered by the following cards:
Terms apply.
Through Dec. 31, 2021, eligible Delta personal and business cards can also earn 5X miles per $1 spent on eligible Delta purchases.
For a limited time, qualifying Delta SkyMiles Gold products offered eligible existing cardholders 5 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, plus an elevated 4 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery (up from 2 miles per $1 spent in those categories). This offer is now expired.
Changes announced by Delta Air Lines
Delta, too, is extending certain benefits for eligible cardholders because of the impact from the pandemic, the airline said in a statement. (NOTE: American Express is Delta's credit card partner, but these extensions come from the airline, not the issuer.)
According to Delta, the extensions apply for any benefit listed below "that is valid now or has expired since March 1, 2020":
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card offers a $100 Delta flight credit toward future travel when you spend $10,000 in purchases on the card during a calendar year. Typically, the credit expires one year from the date it's issued, but Delta notes that members who have earned a flight credit will get a six-month extension. Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card grants an annual companion certificate upon renewal, which is good for one round-trip domestic flight in the main cabin for someone traveling with you (minus taxes and fees). Normally, travel for the companion certificate must be booked and completed by the date on the front of the certificate. But Delta says that members with companion certificates that have an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by Dec. 31, 2020. And certificates that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the expiration date. Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card also offers an annual companion certificate upon renewal, but it's good for one round-trip domestic flight in first class, Delta Comfort+ or the main cabin for someone traveling with you (minus taxes and fees). Usually, the same booking rules apply as with the Platinum version of the card, but Delta is granting the same extension terms. In addition, the Reserve card normally offers two one-time guest passes each year to Delta Sky Club lounges, and those guest passes typically expire within one year from the date they’re issued. But Delta is giving members a six-month extension for those passes. Terms apply.
"As coronavirus continues to dramatically impact travel across the globe, you don’t have to worry about your benefits — they’ll be extended so you can enjoy them when you are ready to travel again," said Sandeep Dube, Delta’s senior vice president of customer engagement and loyalty, in a statement.
Marriott cards issued by American Express
For a limited time, select Marriott cards issued by AmEx can earn monthly credits on dining purchases and wireless services. This benefit is being offered by the following cards:
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Terms apply.
Through Dec. 31, 2021, eligible Marriott personal and business cards are offering cardholders 7,500 bonus points (up to 10 times) when you spend $7,500 on purchases. You can earn up to 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points. Terms apply.
Marriott cards issued by AmEx previously offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
From Aug. 3 to Oct. 31, 2020, the select Marriott cards issued by AmEx earned 10X points at U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants and participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, on up to $7,500 in eligible purchases in each category: This offer is now expired.
In Dec. 2020, holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card could also earn an extra 6 points per $1 spent at Amazon, Walmart and Target, on up to $3,500 in purchases. Terms apply.
Hilton cards issued by American Express
For a limited time, American Express is offering varying amounts of monthly statement credits on dining purchases. This benefit is being offered by the following cards:
Terms apply.
Holders of the The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card can also earn $10 in wireless credits each month (up to $110 in credits over eleven months) when you use the card to pay your wireless bill. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Additionally, through June 30, 2021, eligible Hilton personal and business cards are offering cardholders 10,000 bonus points (up to 10 times) when you spend $5,000 on purchases. You can earn up to 100,000 bonus Hilton Honors points. Terms apply.
Bank of America®
Payment deferrals: Bank of America® is offering payment deferrals for 60 days to cardholders who request them. To do so, customers can visit the issuer’s dedicated coronavirus resource page, click the "request payment deferral" button and follow the prompts for information. “We are committed to working with our clients through this crisis,” a Bank of America® representative tells NerdWallet.
More time to earn bonuses: Like American Express, Bank of America® is also extending the amount of time eligible cardholders have to earn sign-up bonuses. The issuer's 90-day extension applies to consumer and business cards opened between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2020.
Limited-time dining, grocery perks for certain cards: As of January 2021, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card will continue to allow cardholders to redeem points for grocery store, dining and takeout purchases at a value of a penny per point. (Usually, points are worth 1 cent only toward travel expenses.) The issuer announced that holders of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card could redeem points this way for a limited time, in 2020. Also, through 2020, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card offered customers $50 in statement credit to use toward purchases in the above categories.
Barclays
Payment deferrals: Barclays is allowing eligible cardholders to skip the minimum payment due on their next two payment due dates, noting that interest will continue to accrue during those two months. (The issuer also notes that you'll need to cancel repeat payments on your account yourself.)
Arrival cards
Through Jan. 31, 2021, all three cards in Barclays' portfolio of Arrival products will allow cardholders to redeem miles at the rate of a penny each toward purchases made at qualifying grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants. Miles are typically worth about half-a-cent each when redeemed toward non-travel expenses. This limited-time benefit applies to the following cards:
Additionally, holders of the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® and the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® can now redeem a minimum of 5,000 miles, instead of the usual minimum redemption threshold of 10,000, also through Jan. 31.
Nerdy tip: The Barclaycard Arrival™ World MasterCard®, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® and the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® stopped accepting new applications in June 2019, but current cardmembers can continue using their cards as before.
American Airlines credit cards issued by Barclays
In early May 2020, Barclays announced changes meant to help customers who hold its co-branded AAdvantage Aviator credit card products:
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Eligible cardholders who earned a flight discount certificate that expires between March 31, 2020, and May 31, 2021, will get a six-month extension to redeem it from that initial expiration date. In addition, eligible cardholders who have a companion certificate that expires anytime between those dates will get an extension through June 30, 2021.
The same companion certificate extension terms apply to eligible holders of the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® and the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®.
Brex
In late March 2020, Brex announced the following changes for holders of the Brex Card for Startups:
New limited-time bonus reward categories: For a limited time, customers who have the Brex Card for Startups can opt in to new bonus rewards categories. Normally, the card offers bonus rewards on things like rideshares, travel and restaurants. The new rewards structure focuses on categories such as remote collaboration tools and food delivery. In a news release, the corporate card issuer noted that the move reflects "the new operational and business climate borne from the effects of COVID-19." The new rewards structure is optional, available upon request, and you can switch back to the old rewards at any time. You’ll automatically revert back to the card’s original rewards on Sept. 30, 2020.
Nerdy tip: Regardless of which option you choose, bonus rewards are available only to those who make the Brex Card for Startups their exclusive company card. (Otherwise, the card earns only 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases.)
New discounts: Brex also rolled out additional one-time discounts with select vendors, accessible to all Brex cardholders, not just those with the Brex Card for Startups. They include deals for Amazon Web Services, Slack and Dropbox.
"The economic and public health ramifications of COVID-19 are devastating to many, and Brex wants to do everything it can to help its customers during this time," said Henrique Dubugras, co-founder and co-CEO of Brex, in a statement.
Capital One
Bonus rewards on Uber Eats for a limited time: Through Jan. 31, 2021, Capital One Savor and Venture cards will earn elevated rewards on delivery orders placed through Uber Eats.
Discount on Uber Freight: Multiple Spark business cards will offer qualifying cardholders a discount with Uber Freight. The offer, which was originally available through the end of 2020, has been extended through June 30, 2021.
Capital One previously offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
More flexible redemptions for a limited time: Through Dec. 31, 2020, Capital One is allowing eligible Venture and Spark credit card customers to use their miles at a 1:1 rate to cover purchases of things like restaurant delivery and takeout, as well as qualifying streaming services and phone services (depending on the card.)
Bonus rewards on streaming services for a limited time: Through Dec. 31, 2020, Capital One's Savor cards will earn elevated rewards on popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.
Here are more details on these temporary changes. (All offers are for a limited time, as noted above):
Venture cards
Through April 30, 2021, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card will allow redemption for eligible restaurant takeout and delivery, plus qualifying streaming services. Miles will be worth a penny apiece for these categories.
Through January of 2021, both cards will also earn an unlimited 5 miles per $1 spent on orders via Uber Eats.
Spark cards
Through April 30, 2021, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business and the Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business will also allow redemption toward qualifying takeout and delivery, but instead of streaming services the offer includes eligible phone services. Miles will be worth a penny apiece for these categories.
“We understand that our customers’ day-to-day lives have changed, so we’re continually looking at providing value in new and different ways,” a Capital One representative tells NerdWallet.
Through the end of 2020 — and later extended through June 30, 2021 — the following Spark cards are offering eligible customers $500 off when they shipped their first full truckload order with Uber Freight:
Savor cards
The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card will earn 4% back on eligible streaming services. The card will also continue to earn 4% back on dining and entertainment; 2% back at grocery stores; and 1% back on all other purchases.
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card will earn 3% back on eligible streaming services. The card will also continue to earn 3% cash back on dining and entertainment; 2% back at grocery stores; 1% back on all other purchases.
Through Jan. 31, 2021, both cards will also earn an unlimited 5% cash back per $1 spent on Uber Eats orders.
Journey Student Rewards Card
As of Oct. 21, 2020, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is offering a $60 streaming credit for new cardholders: After the first on-time payment, new account openers will receive a $5 statement credit each month for one year, after purchases made on qualifying music and video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Spotify. The statement credits can only be earned within the first 18 months of opening the account.
The card will continue to earn 1% cash back on all purchases and a 0.25% bonus every month you pay on time.
The Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® will also feature a design change, from red to blue, in addition to a contactless payment option for cardholders. New account openers will receive the updated card upon approval, while existing cardholders will receive the new version near their current card's expiration date.
Chase
Chase offered cardholders these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Grace period, fee waivers/refunds: In Chase's Q1 2020 earnings call, held in mid-April, CEO Jamie Dimon discussed some general the ways the bank was helping struggling customers, including credit cardholders. "We're providing relief such as a 90-day grace period for mortgage, auto and card payments as well as waiving or refunding certain fees," Dimon noted.
More time to earn bonuses: The week of April 13, Chase began notifying eligible cardholders that they would be getting more time to earn welcome bonuses, much like AmEx and Bank of America® are doing. Chase's three-month extension applied to credit card accounts opened from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2020, a Chase representative confirms.
Limited-time bonus rewards on multiple cards: On May 1, Chase announced that more than two-dozen travel credit cards in its portfolio would start earning bonus rewards on groceries for a limited time. See our story for a full list of cards affected. Also, from July 15 through Sept. 15, 2020, multiple Chase-issued Marriott and Ritz-Carlton credit cards earned 10 points per $1 spent on up to $3,500 in purchases at restaurants and gas stations combined. And from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 2020, multiple Chase co-branded airline and hotel cards earned either 5X or 7X back — depending on the card — per dollar spent on groceries, gas and/or restaurants, on up to $1,500 per month in combined spending. See our story for a full list of cards affected.
Chase is also offering targeted help for specific cardholders, as follows:
Freedom cards
New sign-up bonus, with an incentive on grocery purchases
As of July 24, 2020, both the Chase Freedom® and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® were offering new cardholders a cash sign-up bonus on top of a massive 5% back on grocery store purchases in the first year of card ownership, on up to $12,000 in spending. (Note: The 5% back on grocery store purchases promotion has since expired.)
See the full story on these changes here.
Nerdy tip: The Chase Freedom® stopped accepting new applications in September 2020 and was effectively replaced by a new card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠. The same bonus offer above applies to the new card. Cardholders with the "old" Chase Freedom® can continue using their cards as before, or they can product-change to the new Flex card.
Redemption flexibility (aka 'pay yourself back')
As of Oct. 1, 2020, holders of any of the three Freedom products can redeem points for statement credit against donations to qualifying charitable organizations at a value of 1.25 cents per point.
Last-minute Tweak to 5% bonus calendar
When the Chase Freedom® announced its bonus categories for the second quarter of the year in mid-March 2020, initially there were only two:
Grocery stores.
Gym memberships and fitness clubs.
But by the time the quarter officially began April 1, "select streaming services" had been added to the list — or rather held over from the previous quarter’s bonus categories. Eligible services include Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Sling, YouTube TV, SiriusXM, Spotify and more.
"We wanted to provide our customers opportunity for additional earning given the current environment where we are all looking for creative ways to stay occupied," a Chase spokesperson said.
The Chase Freedom® earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending per quarter in categories that rotate (activation required). All other purchases earn 1% back. The card's bonus categories for Q1 2021 are wholesale clubs, select streaming services, and internet, cable and phone services.
Through February 2021, as part of the Chase's “Month of More” promotion, qualifying Freedom credit cardholders can also earn 5% back on gas, on up to $150 in combined purchases.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
annual fee tweaks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is making accommodations for eligible cardholders, including a temporary rollback of an increase in the annual fee.
In January 2020, the card increased its already steep annual fee to $550, from $450. That new fee applies to all new cardholders.
But for existing cardholders, the timing of the fee increase depended on your card renewal date. Those with cards that renewed after April 1, 2020, were to be charged the new $550 fee. (Cards renewed before then retained the $450 fee for another year, before incurring the $100 increase.)
The fee increase took effect April 1, but Chase sent a notification to some cardholders that day, noting that it would be issuing a $100 statement credit to offset the increase and acknowledging that "COVID-19 has affected people in many different ways." To be eligible for that credit, your card renewal date had to be from April 1 to July 31, 2020.
Chase then said in May that cardholders whose accounts renewed between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, would be charged a renewal fee of only $450 — in other words, no increase and no offsetting credit. Presumably, the fee upon renewals will return to $550 in 2021.
» MORE: See Chase's trip management hub if you need to change or cancel travel
Elevated rewards on Select Purchases via Chase Dining Portal
Through Sept. 30, 2021, points are worth 50% more for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders when they redeem for purchases through Chase Dining (including takeout, prepaid reservations and more).
Chase also previously announced that through June 30, 2021, cardholders will earn 10X points on up to $500 in combined purchases when you order takeout or make a prepaid reservation at a restaurant through Chase Dining in the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
TRIPLE GROCERY REWARDS
From Nov. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will earn 3 points per $1 spent at grocery stores, on up to $1,000 in purchases per month. Previously, from May 1 to June 30, 2020, the card earned 5 points per $1 spent at grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases per month.
REDEMPTION FLEXIBILITY (aka 'pay yourself back')
Through April 20, 2021 — and later extended through Sept. 30, 2021 — holders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can redeem points for statement credit against purchases at grocery stores, restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and home improvement stores at a value of 1.5 cents per point. (Typically, that rate applies only to travel purchases made via the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.) Read our story for more details.
TRAVEL CREDIT FLEXiBILITY
From June 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2021, purchases at gas stations and grocery stores will count toward the Chase Sapphire Reserve®'s $300 annual travel credit. (Normally, only eligible travel expenses count toward that credit.)
ELEVATED REWARDS AND Statement credit toward Peloton
Through March 2022, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn 10 points per $1 spent on each Peloton Bike, Tread, and accessory purchase of over $1,800, up to 50,000 points.
Additionally, in 2020 Peloton announced that through April 20, 2021, cardholders are eligible for up to $120 in statement credits toward Peloton Digital and All-Access memberships. (The all-access membership typically costs $39 a month and the digital membership, $12.99 a month.)
The card offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Bonus rewards in new categories
From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2020, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will earn:
5 points per $1 spent on Instacart delivery and pickup orders on up to $3,000 in spending over those three months.
5 points per $1 spent at gas stations on up to $1,500 spent over the three-month period.
10 points per $1 spent on up to $1,500 in purchases with select streaming services like Spotify and Netflix over the three months.
Cardholders are also eligible to receive up to $50 in statement credits toward an Instacart Express membership during this time.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Grocery Credit for New Cardmembers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is offering a one-time $50 statement credit on grocery store purchases for new cardholders. This offer is available only for 12 months from the time of account opening. Chase has yet to publicly disclose if the offer is for a limited time only.
Elevated rewards on Select Purchases via Chase Dining Portal
Through Sept. 30, 2021, points are worth 25% more for cardholders when they redeem for purchases through Chase Dining (including takeout, prepaid reservations and more).
Additionally, through June 30, 2021, holders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will earn 10X points on up to $500 in combined purchases when you order takeout or make a prepaid reservation at a restaurant through Chase Dining in the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
DOUBLE GROCERY REWARDS
From Nov. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will earn 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores, on up to $1,000 in purchases per month. Previously, from May 1 to June 30, 2020, the card earned 5 points per $1 spent at grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases per month.
REDEMPTION FLEXIBILITY (aka 'pay yourself back')
Through Sept. 30, 2021 — an extension from the offer's initial April 2021 end date — holders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can redeem points for statement credit against purchases at grocery stores, restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and home improvement stores at a value of 1.25 cents per point. (Usually, that rate applies only to travel purchases made via the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.)
ELEVATED REWARDS and Statement credit toward Peloton
Through March 2022, cardholders can earn 5 points per $1 spent on each Peloton Bike, Tread, and accessory purchase of over $1,800, for a maximum of 25,000 points.
Chase previously announced in 2020 that through April 20, 2021, cardholders are eligible for up to $120 in statement credits toward Peloton Digital and All-Access memberships. (The all-access membership normally costs $39 a month and the digital membership, $12.99 a month.)
The card offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Bonus rewards in new categories
From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2020, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will earn:
3 points per $1 spent on Instacart delivery and pickup orders on up to $3,000 in spending over those three months.
3 points per $1 spent at gas stations on up to $1,500 spent over the three-month period.
5 points per $1 spent on up to $1,500 in purchases with select streaming services like Spotify and Netflix over the three months.
The same $50 statement credit for an Instacart Express membership also applies.
Ink Business cards
REDEMPTION FLEXIBILITY (aka 'pay yourself back')
Through June 30, 2021 — an extension from the offer's initial 2020 end date — holders of the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Ink Plus® Business Credit Card can redeem points for statement credit against select shipping purchases, home improvement stores and contributions to qualifying charitable organizations, at a value of 1.25 cents per point.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Statement credit towards Boutique brand stays
From Nov. 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, holders of the World of Hyatt Credit Card are eligible for $75 in savings when they spend $250 or more on stays at Hyatt’s Independent Collection brands in the U.S., which include the Unbound Collection, Destination Hotels and Residences, and Joie de Vivre hotels.
The card offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Bonus rewards on grocery purchases and at Amazon
From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, cardholders can get 5 points per $1 spent at Amazon.com and 3 points per $1 spent at grocery stores, on up to a combined total of $1,500 in purchases per month. Activation by Dec. 31, 2020 is required.
Previously, from May 1 through June 2020, holders of the World of Hyatt Credit Card could earn 3 points or miles per dollar spent on up to $1,500 in purchases per month.
Path to a free night
Starting Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, cardholders are eligible for a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel after spending a total of $4,000 on the card. Registration by Nov. 30, 2020 is required.
Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card
Chase announced that on May 21, 2020, holders of the Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card would be getting 150 bonus Stars (the card's rewards currency) deposited into their accounts automatically. No action is required.
Chase notes that the rewards can be used to buy a beverage, breakfast item or parfait.
"Everyone could use a little surprise and delight right now," a Chase representative said in an email.
Citi
Citi says it ended its formal COVID-19 assistance program on Dec. 31, 2020, but assistance may still be available on a case-by-case basis. (Earlier in 2020, Citi offered options such as late-fees waivers and minimum-payment deferrals.) You can send a secure message to Citi customer service when you sign into your account. Alternately, you can call Citi's payment assistance team at 866-905-2784.
Other general moves Citi announced in 2020 have also expired, but they included:
More time to earn bonuses: In early May, Citi announced a temporary sign-up bonus extension period for its credit cards. All new cardholders who opened an account between Dec. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020, were eligible for the three-month extension.
Ability to redeem rewards to pay minimum amount due: Through Nov. 7, 2020, eligible holders of rewards-earning Citi cards were able to choose to redeem cash rewards and ThankYou points to pay their minimum due.
Citi also rolled out the following tweaks for specific cardholders:
Citi Prestige® Card
The Citi Prestige® Card offers a $250 travel-credit benefit, but until Dec. 31, 2021, customers can also use that credit toward purchases at supermarkets and restaurants, including takeout.
Through Dec. 31, 2020, Citi Prestige® Card cardholders can earn 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on qualifying online, cable and streaming services up to a maximum of 7,500 points. Eligible services include more than 20 platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music, Disney+, ESPN+, HBO NOW, Netflix and Sling TV, to name a few.
Through Aug. 31, 2020, Citi Prestige® Card cardholders can get 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on all online purchases up to 7,500 points.
Citi Premier® Card
Starting June 2, 2020 — instead of the originally scheduled Aug. 23 — existing Citi Premier® Card cardholders will earn 3X points on supermarket and restaurant purchases.
American Airlines credit cards issued by Citi
In early May 2020, Citi announced changes in benefits for the following airline credit cards, to ensure that they "continue to drive value for our customers throughout these unprecedented times."
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Eligible cardholders who had an open account as of March 31, 2020, or before will receive a one-time "courtesy credit" of $225 credit upon renewal of the card. Citi notes this is in recognition of the fact that Admirals Club lounges have been temporarily closed as a result of the pandemic. "Cardmembers will see the credit within two billing statements after the annual fee bills to their account," Citi said.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Eligible cardholders who have earned the card's $125 Flight Discount certificate will get a six-month extension to use it, as long as the certificate has an expiration date between March 31, 2020, and May 31, 2021.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Eligible cardholders who earned a companion certificate with an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2020, will get a six-month extension, meaning the new expiration date is June 30, 2021.
» MORE: Visit Citi’s coronavirus resource page for more information
Discover
Possible payment deferrals: Discover hasn't released specifics about COVID-19-related relief, but the issuer confirmed to NerdWallet that help may be available and that it varies by customer. "Qualified customers who are experiencing financial difficulty caused by the spread of the COVID-19 [virus] may receive assistance that can include support related to payment timing, fees and late payments," Discover said via email. To learn more about your possible options, call Discover customer service or message the issuer, either via your account on desktop or via Discover's mobile app.
More flexible redemptions: On July 23, 2020, Discover announced that Discover it® Miles cardholders would be able to redeem their miles as a statement credit toward travel purchases that now include restaurants and gas stations. This applied to all eligible transactions posted on or after June 9, 2020.
Goldman Sachs (Apple Card)
Payment deferrals: In March 2020, the Apple Card, issued by Goldman Sachs, offered customers the option to defer that month's payments by enrolling in a "customer assistance program." That option was also made available for April, May, June and July.
"We understand that the COVID-19 situation poses unique challenges for everyone and some customers may have difficulty making their monthly payments," Apple told cardholders via email. "Should you need assistance, please click here to be connected to Apple Card Support via Messages and enroll in our Customer Assistance Program, which will allow you to skip your June payment without incurring interest charges." Apple says your account will still be reported as current to credit bureaus.
HSBC
HSBC offered cardholders these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Payment deferrals, fee waivers: In an email to customers in early April, HSBC noted that help was available. "We can defer or reduce your payments during the hardship, and waive cash advance, insufficient funds, overdraft protection and late fees for 60 days from the time you enroll," the message noted. "We're also protecting your credit by preventing negative credit reporting."
To take advantage of the assistance, HSBC said credit cardholders should log into their personal banking accounts and send a secure message, or call 866-949-2351, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
Also, HSBC announced "COVID-related product changes" for the following credit cards, from May 1 through June 30, 2020:
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card:
Earn 3X points at grocery stores, convenience stores and wholesale clubs. (These are not typically bonus categories for this card.)
The card's annual $100 rideshare statement credit now extends to Uber Eats orders. Cardholders will automatically receive a statement credit worth up to $20 per order.
HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card
Earn 2X points at grocery stores, convenience stores and wholesale clubs. (These are not typically bonus categories for this card.)
The card's annual $50 rideshare statement credit now also includes Uber Eats orders. Cardholders will automatically get a statement credit worth 20% per order.
Also, from April 1 to June 30, all of HSBC's consumer cards — except for the HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card and HSBC Platinum Mastercard® credit card — offered the following reward redemption promotions:
10% off all charity items (Red Cross donations or CharityChoice gift cards).
20% off all merchandise.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
In July 2020, U.S. Bank announced that holders of the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card would earn 3 points back per $1 spent on dining purchases, which are normally not a bonus category for the premium travel card. The offer, which was originally available through the end of 2020, has been extended through June 30, 2021. The rest of the card's rewards structure remained unchanged:
5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
3 points per $1 spent on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending.
1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
The issuer also announced that dining purchases, including takeout and food delivery, will now count toward the card's annual $325 travel credit.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo offered these limited-time benefits in 2020:
Payment deferrals, fee waivers: Wells Fargo is offering credit card payment deferrals for three billing cycles, although terms and conditions apply. During this time, your balance won't accrue interest, and all fees will be waived — including annual fees in some cases.
"If you have an annual fee, that fee will be waived if your annual fee would have posted to your account between the payment assistance activation date and September 30, 2020," Wells Fargo says on its website.
During a deferral period, the issuer notes you'll still be able to use your credit card as normal within your credit limit, assuming your account is in good standing.
Wells Fargo suggests applying online via your account, which will be faster than by phone given high call volumes.
Where to start if you need assistance
All major credit card issuers have coronavirus resource pages, which discuss generally how they may be able to help cardholders experiencing hardships. For more specific assistance, contact your issuer directly.
NerdWallet writers Sara Rathner, Claire Tsosie, Melissa Lambarena and Greg Karp contributed to this report. We will continue to update this page as developments unfold.
Information related to the Citi Prestige® Card and the has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards.
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