There are many reasons why the end of the year is a good time to open a new premium rewards credit card. And it’s not just because these cards offer perks that can help you make the most of your normally hectic vacation trips. Some also offer statement credits that reset at the end of the calendar year, while others offer limited-time credits. bonuses or promotions for Christmas shopping or travel.
Plus, increasing your holiday spending (for gifts, vacations, or even Christmas dinners and decorations) can help you meet spending requirements for a big welcome bonus.
Here are some reasons why you might want to open a new premium card before the end of the year and how to maximize the card’s benefits if you do.
Related: Best Premium Credit Cards: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Double drop in credits for year-end expenses
Many premium credit cards have Benefits that reset each calendar year.. If you open a new credit card in November or December, you may be able to double your savings in a short period by taking advantage of your card benefits in late 2025 and then again in early 2026. Examples include:
- Up to $100 in annual statement credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases with American Express Platinum® Card. (This benefit requires early registration and provides up to $50 in credits per semester.)
- Up to $150 in statement credits on US purchases made directly with Dell and up to an additional $1,000 in statement credits after you spend $5,000 or more each calendar year with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Prior registration required).
Related: Don’t Waste Credits: Your End-of-Year Credit Card Checklist
Some other examples of annual travel credits You may be able to make a double investment using this strategy, including:
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These credits help offset the high $895 annual fee for Platinum and Business Platinum (see rates and fees for Platinum and Business Platinum).
Take advantage of opportunities to use your points and miles
Whether it’s the welcome bonus or earnings from your daily spending, there’s never been a better time to use your hard-earned rewards for the trip of a lifetime.
An example that easily comes to mind is using Atmos Rewards points for bookings. short-haul flights on American Airlines. These flights could be expensive if you paid cash during the holidays, and using your Atmos Rewards points to offset the cost of your family reunion can free up a few hundred dollars from your year-end budget.
For inspiration for redemption, check out the following:
Plus, you can use the points from your new card to cover your loved ones’ trips over the next year. Traveling isn’t cheap, and offsetting these expenses with points and miles is a great reason to add a premium credit card to your wallet.
Give benefits to other people during the holidays
Premium credit cards offer valuable benefits that you can give to others. Keep this in mind when deciding what gifts to give your friends and family during the holidays.
For example, you can rate you shop at Saks Fifth Avenue with your Amex Platinum card or of Dell using your Amex Business Platinum card. Since you receive statement credits for qualifying purchases (after you sign up for the benefit), these gifts may have no out-of-pocket costs for you.
You could also give as a gift access to the lounge to a traveler in your life. This could come from adding a loved one to your Amex Platinum card or Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees), For example. Just remember that you are responsible for all spending by authorized users on your account, so set expectations and spending limits before adding them to your account.
Please note that most loyalty programs allow you to book trips for other people with your points or miles. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has everything, booking them a flight or hotel stay with your rewards could give them the trip of a lifetime while saving you money.
For more ideas, check out our guide to Credit card benefits that you can give as gifts for the holidays.
Related: Credit cards with higher value for authorized users
Earn a generous welcome offer
Let’s finish with what might be the most important reason to apply for a credit card: welcome offers. The chance to quickly earn an unexpected amount of points or miles is always appealing, and your holiday shopping can help you meet the spending requirements for these bonuses.
He Capital One Venture X Business has a welcome offer that allows you to earn up to 400,000 bonus miles. Earn 200,000 miles after you spend $30,000 in the first three months of account opening and an additional 200,000 miles after you spend $150,000 in the first six months of account opening. Based on TPG December 2025 ratingsThis offer is valued up to $7,400.
There is also the current offer on the above. Amex Business Platinum: Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Based on our December 2025 ratingsThat welcome offer is worth $4,000, but it can be worth even more if you redeem your points for business class airfare or last-minute travel.
These welcome offers and more will help you start the new year on the right financial foot.
In a nutshell
The end of the year is a good time to consider adding a premium credit card to your wallet. Between the high bonuses we covered above and the ability to double spending credits, you can treat yourself this holiday season by applying for a premium credit card and taking advantage of its many benefits. And if you’re really in the holiday spirit, you can share some of those benefits with the travelers on your shopping list.
For Amex Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
