When most people think “concierge,” they likely picture luxury concierge services offered by upscale hotels and resorts. These professional planners offer advice and assist guests with various services, from making restaurant reservations to booking tours and excursions.
Credit card concierge services work similarly to those you’ll find at a hotel, but they’re offered through various credit cards and available via a toll-free number. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to take advantage of concierge services
The first step is learning what tasks these services are capable of handling.
Credit card concierge services can be used to:
- Research golf courses and book tee times
- Help book flights and hotel stays
- Find the right vacation package
- Locate event-planning services
- Find and book tickets to concerts and shows
- Set up the delivery of flowers or other gifts
- Make spa reservations
Keep in mind that these are just some of the services a credit card concierge can offer. If you have a specific request, you can call your credit card concierge and ask which types of tasks they’re able to assist with.
Types of concierge services
While the typical credit card concierge service focuses on offering assistance with tickets, reservations and trip planning, there are other types of concierge services as well.
For example, some credit cards offer a credit card benefit called travel and emergency assistance services via a telephone hotline. This type of concierge can help with legal and medical referrals and other emergency assistance when you’re traveling away from home.
Other elevated types of travel and emergency assistance services -- like American Express’ Global Assist hotline -- can even provide help with more complex issues, like customs information for various destinations, cultural inquiries and passport and visa information and requirements.
Credit card networks that offer concierge services
Most major credit card issuers have at least one card that offers a concierge service:
| Concierge service | Card issuer | Services offered |
| Global Assist hotline (Premium Global Assist is available for specific cards) | American Express | Lost passport replacement assistance, translation services, missing luggage assistance, emergency medical transportation assistance (Premium Global Assist) |
| Travel and emergency assistance services | Chase | Legal and medical referrals, plus other emergency assistance |
| Citi concierge services | Citi | Arrange business conferences and events, book tickets and hotels, find golf courses, find concert tickets and other entertainment events and make dinner reservations |
| Visa Signature Concierge | Multiple card issuers | Help plan for domestic and international travel, make dinner reservations, find entertainment events, gift ideas and flower delivery |
| Visa Infinite Concierge | Multiple card issuers | Help plan travel and activities, make restaurant reservations, find tickets for entertainment events, gift and floral delivery |
How do concierge services work?
Using your card’s concierge is as simple as picking up the phone. You can find the number in your online account or in the benefits guide that was sent to you with your card.
While the time it takes to perform the tasks will vary based on what you need, most non-emergency concierge services aim to complete your requests within 24 to 48 hours.
Are concierge services free?
Concierge services are free to use, but you have to pay for the underlying services you inquire about. If you use a concierge service to plan your vacation, for example, the planning help is free but you’ll be charged for airfare, hotels and your other travel plans. If you order flowers with a credit card concierge, you can expect the charge for the flowers to show up on your credit card statement.
Since credit card concierge services can save you hours of time and stress, however, the help they provide still has value. These services can also help you find the lowest prices on concert tickets, sporting events, airfare and other travel, which can lead to additional savings.
The bottom line
Credit card concierge services may not be as well known or as understood as other perks like airport lounge access or free checked bags with an airline, but they can be just as useful.
And keep in mind, while a concierge can be useful, you should consider the card’s other features when deciding if you want to apply or not. Pick the card that matches your lifestyle and financial needs to get the most value from it.
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