Signing up for a privilege card seems like the smart thing to do. How can one go wrong with all the exclusive perks and services? But when busy schedules get in the way, keeping track of rewards and cashing in may fall by the wayside. After signing up for the card, many often just as quickly forget about it.

To keep them from being just another item adding weight to your wallet, check out the following ways to make the most of these privilege cards. After all, they’re the one piece of plastic that you should be happy to swipe.

1. SEEK AND FIND Cardholders are often granted special benefits, such as early access to store sales, complimentary appetizers, and even partner-establishment promotions. The catch? These offers are often not heavily publicized to protect from abuse and over-consumption. Your best strategy? Be diligent in combing through printed materials and announcements.

2. GET OUT AND ABOUT Thanks to partnerships and tie-ups between establishments, a single privilege card can go a longway. “Your one card can be used to avail of discounts and exclusive privileges in various establishments.

3. ASK FOR ADD-ONS Sometimes, you don’t even have to wait for a special offer to come around. Many establishments offer additional services for their cardholders as well. Read the card sign-up form carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask a customer service representative just what your card can do for you.

4. SWIPE WHERE YOU SHOP Being a card holder doesn’t mean you should keep buying for the sake of receiving benefits. On the contrary, unnecessarily increasing your expenses may actually cancel out your earnings.