Don’t let credits go to waste: Your 2025 end-of-year credit card checklist
As we approach the end of the year, it’s crucial to review and utilize the various credit card perks that may otherwise go to waste. Many credit card benefits operate on a “use it or lose it” basis, meaning that failing to take advantage of them can leave you missing out on significant savings. This comprehensive guide outlines essential tasks to complete before the year ends, ensuring you maximize your credit card benefits. While this post focuses on annual perks, it’s wise to also consider monthly and quarterly benefits that can enhance your financial strategy.
For instance, the American Express Platinum Card® offers a range of valuable statement credits, including up to $200 for airline incidental fees, $300 for Equinox memberships, and $209 for Clear Plus memberships. These benefits are designed to help offset the card’s hefty $895 annual fee. Similarly, the American Express Business Platinum Card® provides credits for Adobe purchases and Dell Technologies, which can be especially beneficial for business owners. Other notable cards, such as the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, offer up to $300 in airline incidentals and an additional $150 for lifestyle purchases, making it an attractive option for frequent travelers and those who enjoy various lifestyle services.
In addition to annual credits, cardholders should activate any expiring rotating bonus categories and take advantage of limited-time promotions that end with the calendar year. This includes offers from various issuers like Amex, Chase, and Citi, which can provide extra points or cash back when used strategically. As the year draws to a close, now is the time to gather your credit cards, review their benefits, and ensure you’re making the most of what they offer. By doing so, you can effectively offset annual fees, enhance your purchasing power, and ultimately save money on everyday expenses. Don’t let these valuable perks slip away—act now to make the most of your credit card benefits before the year ends!
As we move closer to the
end of the year
, it’s time to make sure you don’t let any credit card perks go to waste.
Many benefits are “use it or lose it” at the end of each calendar year, which means you could be leaving money on the table if you forget to use them.
Here’s a to-do list of key credit card-related tasks before your annual benefits go unused. And remember, while this guide will detail annual benefits, be sure to check out our lists for
monthly perks
and
quarterly and biannual credits
as well.
American Express
American Express Platinum
The
American Express Platinum Card®
includes many statement credits, so you have to stay on top of things to maximize them and recoup some of the card’s $895 annual fee (see
rates and fees
).
Airline incidentals
: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the one qualifying airline you select*
Clear 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 a $200 statement credit per calendar year on an Oura Ring*
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
^Subject to auto-renewal.
American Express Business Platinum
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
is centered around growing your business and helping you save on business-related purchases.
Adobe
:
Up to $250 per calendar year in statement credits after spending $600 or more on purchases made directly with Adobe in a calendar year*^
Airline incidentals
: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the one qualifying airline you select*
Clear 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 U.S. purchases made directly at Dell, plus an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 or more with Dell each calendar year*
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
^Subject to auto-renewal.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
American Express Green
Unlike its more expensive cousins, the
American Express® Green Card
doesn’t have that many credits, and its valuable Clear statement is easy to set and forget.
Clear Plus
: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (excluding taxes and fees; enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal)
The information for the American Express Green 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 cobranded cards
Amex’s suite of
Delta Air Lines cobranded cards
(excluding the no-annual-fee card) provides a
statement credit on Delta Stays
each calendar year. The credit ranges from $100 to $250, depending on which card you have, and is only applicable to prepaid stays.
Hilton Honors Aspire
Hilton’s top-tier credit card, the
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
, provides a Clear statement credit.
Clear Plus
: Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus membership (excluding taxes and fees; enrollment required; subject to auto-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
The
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
provides a solid credit in exchange for its $95 annual fee.
Airline incidentals
: Up to $100 in travel statement credits each year for qualifying airline purchases, such as airline lounge fees, baggage fees, inflight services and seat upgrades
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite
The
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card
provides a pair of annual credits to help offset its $550 annual fee.
Airline incidentals
: Up to $300 in travel statement credits each year for qualifying airline purchases, such as airline lounge fees, baggage fees, inflight services and seat upgrades
Lifestyle purchases
: Up to $150 in statement credits for “lifestyle conveniences,” including fitness subscriptions, food delivery, ride-hailing services and video streaming services
The information for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite 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 should know about Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
The
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
(see
rates and fees
) comes with an annual statement credit that’s helpful for productivity tools.
Google Workspace
: Up to $200 annually toward Google Workspace purchases (through Dec. 31, 2027)
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
This is the last year that you’ll be able to enjoy the travel credit on the
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
(see
rates and fees
), as it will expire Dec. 31, 2025, and not be renewed in 2026.
Southwest Airlines purchases
: Up to $75 in credit when you spend on a Southwest flight, including tickets (excluding inflight purchases and upgraded boardings)
United cobranded cards
Two of Chase’s United Airlines cobranded cards come with annual United TravelBank Cash credits after meeting specific requirements. These vary based on which card you have.
United℠ Business Card
(see
rates and fees
): $125 in United TravelBank Cash after making five $100-plus United flight purchases in a calendar year
United℠ Explorer Card
(see
rates and fees
): $100 in United TravelBank Cash after spending at least $10,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year
Related:
The best credit cards for earning and redeeming rewards
Citi
Citi / AAdvantage Executive
The
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
(see
rates and fees
) provides a statement credit to help offset its $595 annual fee.
Avis/Budget
: Up to $120 in statement credits on eligible prepaid car rental purchases booked directly with Avis or Budget every calendar year
Citi / AAdvantage Globe
One credit on the
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
(see
rates and fees
) resets each calendar year. If you recently added this new card to your wallet, you’ll want to be sure you use it.
Splurge credit:
Up to $100 each calendar year in Splurge credits on your choice of up to two of these brands: 1stDibs, eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings, Future Personal Training and Live Nation (exclusions apply)
KEVIN MAZUR/LIVE NATION/GETTY IMAGES
Citi Prestige
The
Citi Prestige® Card
, though not open to new applicants, delivers a benefit for those who still have the card in their wallet.
Travel
: Up to $250 in statement credits for travel purchases each calendar year
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi Strata Elite
The
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
(see
rates and fees
) provides annual statement credits that don’t require enrollment.
Hotels
: Up to $300 each calendar year off a prepaid, minimum two-night hotel stay booked through
Citi Travel
Splurge credit
: 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
: Up to $100 credit off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through the Citi travel portal
Related:
The top credit cards with annual travel credits
Additional action items
Activate and maximize bonus categories
There are plenty of credit cards offering quarterly rotating bonus categories that you can activate for bonus earnings, such as the
Chase Freedom Flex®
(see
rates and fees
).
JUSTIN PAGET/GETTY IMAGES
Its rotating categories will end Dec. 31 and change to new ones at the start of next year. Don’t forget to take advantage of
this quarter’s bonuses
, and once we roll into the new year, to activate your next set of categories.
Take advantage of expiring limited-time promotions
Multiple promotions end Dec. 31. These include targeted offers for extra points, bonus cash back or statement credits through
Amex Offers
, Bank AmeriDeals,
Capital One Offers
,
Chase Offers
and
Citi Merchant Offers
. You’ll also need to add the offers to your card before using them to receive the points or credits.
Apply for cards with elevated welcome bonuses
There are several fantastic credit card offers currently available. Many of these offers won’t stick around long, so you’ll want to act sooner rather than later if you’re interested in taking advantage of one or more of these great welcome bonuses.
Related:
The best limited-time credit card offers this month
Bottom line
With the end of the year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to gather all your credit cards and review their annual statement credits.
Be sure you maximize all of the benefits available to ensure you don’t leave money on the table. These credits help offset annual fees, elevate experiences and help you save money on common purchases.
Related:
The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click
here
.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
