When it comes to the upside of using a credit card, flashy rewards get all the attention.

After all, who doesn't want to receive a nice rebate, airline tickets to a dream destination or the chance to mingle at a celeb-studded event?

However, the unseen perks -- the meat-and-potatoes benefits -- are often overlooked. In the right circumstances, they can be just as valuable.

Two of the lesser-known perks that consumers tend to forget about are price protection and roadside assistance, says Terry O'Neil, executive vice president of North American cards for Citigroup.

The solution: Get "familiar with the benefits your card offers and how to access them," he says. "Really take full advantage of them."

Here are six perks your card may offer, along with a couple of tips for making the most of them.