Your End of Year Credit Card Checklist: Use All Your Credits

As we approach the end of yearIt’s time to make sure you don’t waste any credit card benefits.

Many benefits are “use it or lose it” at the end of each calendar year, meaning you could be leaving money on the table if you forget to use them.

Here’s a list of key credit card-related tasks before your annual benefits stop using them. And remember, while this guide will detail the annual benefits, be sure to check out our lists for monthly benefits and quarterly and semester credits also.

American Express

American Express Platinum

He American Express Platinum® Card includes a lot of statement credits, so you’ll need to be on top of things to maximize them and recoup some of the card’s $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).

• Air incidents: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental charges collected by the qualified airline you select*
• Claro Plus: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (excluding taxes and fees)*^
• Equinox: Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on Equinox gym and Equinox+ app memberships*^
• Oura Ring: Up to $200 statement credit per calendar year on one Oura ring*

*Registration required for select benefits.

^Subject to automatic renewal.

American Express Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express focuses on growing your business and helping you save on business-related purchases.

• Adobe: Up to $250 per calendar year in statement credits after you spend $600 or more on purchases made directly with Adobe in a calendar year*^
• Air incidents: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental charges collected by the qualified airline you select*
• Claro Plus: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (excluding taxes and fees)*^
• Dell Technologies: Up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year on US purchases made directly from Dell, plus an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more at Dell each calendar year*

*Registration required for select benefits.

^Subject to automatic renewal.

American Express Green

Unlike its more expensive cousins, the American Express® Green Card You don’t have as many credits and your valuable Clear statement is easy to set and forget.

• Claro Plus: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (taxes and fees excluded; enrollment required; subject to automatic renewal)

American Express Green information has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Delta co-branded cards

The Amex set of Delta Air Lines co-branded cards (excluding no annual fee card) provides a Statement Credit on Delta Stays every calendar year. The credit ranges from $100 to $250, depending on the card you have, and is only applicable to prepaid stays.

Hilton Honors aspires

Hilton’s top-tier credit card, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardProvides clear statement credit.

• Claro Plus: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (taxes and fees excluded; enrollment required; subject to automatic renewal)

Related: How long does it take to receive statement credits from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?

bank of america

Bank of America Premium Rewards

He Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card provides solid credit in exchange for its $95 annual fee.

• Air incidents: Up to $100 in travel statement credits each year toward qualifying airline purchases such as airline lounge fees, baggage fees, in-flight amenities and seat upgrades.

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite

He Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card provides a couple of annual credits to help offset its $550 annual fee.

• Air incidents: Up to $300 in travel statement credits each year toward qualifying airline purchases such as airline lounge fees, baggage fees, inflight amenities and seat upgrades.
• lifestyle shopping: Up to $150 in statement credits for “lifestyle amenities,” including fitness subscriptions, food delivery, ride-hailing services, and video streaming services.

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite information has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Everything you need to know about the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

Chase

Reserve Chase Sapphire for Business

He Reserve Chase Sapphire for Business℠ (see rates and fees) comes with an annual statement credit that is useful for productivity tools.

• Google Workspace: Up to $200 annually for Google Workspace purchases (through December 31, 2027)

Southwest Quick Rewards Priority

This is the last year in which you will be able to enjoy the travel credit in the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees), as it will expire on December 31, 2025 and will not be renewed in 2026.

• Southwest Airlines Purchases: Up to $75 in credit when you spend on a Southwest flight, including tickets (excluding onboard purchases and upgraded boarding)

United co-branded cards

Two of Chase’s United Airlines co-branded cards come with annual United TravelBank cash credits after meeting specific requirements. These vary depending on the card you have.

Related: The best credit cards to earn and redeem rewards

Citi

Citi/AAdvantage Executive

He Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) provides a statement credit to help offset your $595 annual fee.

• Avis/Budget: Up to $120 in statement credits on eligible prepaid car rental purchases booked directly with Avis or Budget each calendar year

Citi/AAdvantage Globe

A credit in Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) resets every calendar year. If you recently added this new card to your wallet, you’ll want to make sure you use it.

• Credit to splurge: Up to $100 each calendar year in Splurge credits on your choice of up to two of these brands: 1stDibs, eligible AAdvantage hotel reservations, Future Personal Training and Live Nation (exclusions apply)

Citi Prestige

He Citi Prestige® CardAlthough it is not open to new applicants, it offers a benefit for those who still have the card in their wallet.

• Travel: Up to $250 in statement credits toward travel purchases each calendar year

Citi Prestige information has been independently compiled by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Citi Strata Elite

He Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) provides annual statement credits that do not require enrollment.

• Hotels: Up to $300 per calendar year off a minimum two-night prepaid hotel stay booked through Citi Travel
• Credit to squander: Up to $200 each calendar year in Splurge credits on your choice of up to two of these brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training and Live Nation (exclusions apply)

Citi Strata Premier

The annual credit on the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) is a solid benefit for a mid-tier travel card.

• Hotels: Credit up to $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through the Citi Travel Portal

Related: The best credit cards with annual travel credits

Additional Action Items

Activate and maximize bonus categories

There are many credit cards that offer quarterly rotating bonus categories that you can activate for additional earnings, such as the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees).

Their rotating categories will end on December 31 and change to new ones early next year. Don’t forget to take advantage bonuses this quarterand once we enter the new year, to activate your next set of categories.

Take advantage of expired promotions for a limited time

Multiple promotions end on December 31. These include specific offers for extra points, bonus cash or statement credits through Amex OffersAmeriDeals Bank, Capital One Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Trade Offers. You will also need to add the offers to your card before using them to receive points or credits.

Apply for cards with high welcome bonuses

There are several fantastic credit card offers currently available. Many of these offers won’t last long, so you’ll want to act sooner rather than later if you’re interested in taking advantage of one or more of these fantastic welcome bonuses.

Related: The best limited-time credit card offers this month

In a nutshell

With the end of the year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to gather all your credit cards and review the credits on your annual statements.

Make sure you maximize all available benefits to ensure you don’t leave money on the table. These credits help offset annual fees, enhance experiences, and help you save money on common purchases.

Related: Best Premium Credit Cards: A Side-by-Side Comparison

For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.