This is a real breakdown of the monthly credits and perks we use across multiple cards. Because annual fees are waived for active duty and spouses, this is essentially money back in our pocket for spending we were already doing.
Because annual fees are waived for active duty AND spouses, you can essentially DOUBLE all of the credits if you and your spouse each have the card.
$20 Instacart Credits
Because annual fees are waived for active duty AND spouses, you can essentially DOUBLE all of the credits if you and your spouse each have the cards
These come from multiple co-branded cards:
- Southwest personal card
- Marriott personal card
- (Several other co-branded cards also offer this perk)
How we maximize it:
- Credit can only be used one per order
- We place small orders instead of one large one
- We shop stores on Instacart that don’t mark up prices
- This helps avoid high tips and keeps it efficient
Extra perk:
Each card comes with 3 months of free Instacart+ that can be stacked consecutively
$50 Restaurant Credit
From two Marriott Bonvoy cards (each gives $25/month)
How we use it:
- When dining out, we split the bill
- Put $25 on one card
- Put the rest on the second card
This allows us to use the full $50 in one meal
$25 Disney / Hulu / Streaming Credit (or $50 if you each have the card)
Comes from the American Express Platinum
What it covers: Eligible purchases include:
- Disney+
- Hulu
- ESPN streaming
- The New York Times
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- The Wall Street Journal
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
Up to $25 back each month in statement credits
$15 Uber / Uber Eats Credit (or $30 if you each have the card)
Also from the Amex Platinum
How we maximize it: small pick up orders
- You can stack credits by adding multiple cards to your Uber account
- Works with multiple Platinum cards and/or Gold cards
$12.95 Walmart+ Membership
Included with the Amex Platinum
Why we love it:
- Free fast delivery
- Gas savings
- Includes streaming:
- Paramount+ Essentials OR
- Peacock Premium (with ads)
- You can switch streaming services every 90 days
$10 Off Peloton Membership
Comes from Chase Sapphire Reserve
Monthly statement credit
- You MUST activate in the Chase app and then the credit will be automatically applied when your Peloton membership is charged to the card
Free Netflix
From our T-Mobile Military plan
Why we love it:
- Included at no additional cost
- One of the best built-in perks of the plan
Why This Matters
We are not spending extra money to get these benefits.
We are simply using the cards strategically for expenses we already have:
- groceries
- dining
- streaming
- delivery
Because of military fee waivers, this turns everyday spending into real savings each month.
If you are already spending in these categories, these perks are one of the easiest ways to lower your monthly expenses without changing your lifestyle
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