Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
December 15, 2025 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
Opening a premium rewards card near year-end can maximize benefits, as many statement credits reset with the calendar year, allowing for potential double-dipping.
Holiday spending on gifts, travel and events may help meet spending requirements for large welcome offers.
Premium cards often provide perks like statement credits for specific merchants, travel credits and the ability to gift benefits such as lounge access or travel bookings to others.
Using points or miles for holiday travel or gifting can help offset seasonal expenses and add value for both the cardholder and recipients.
What to consider
Some statement credits require advance enrollment and may have exclusions, such as only applying to certain merchants or purchase types.
Authorized users can access some benefits, but the primary cardholder is responsible for all charges, so spending limits should be set.
Welcome offers vary and eligibility is not guaranteed; values depend on how points or miles are redeemed, with higher value possible for premium travel per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed guide to leveraging end-of-year card benefits and gifting strategies to maximize value during the holiday season.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
There are many reasons the end of the year is a great 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 best of usually hectic holiday travel. Some also provide statement credits that reset at the end of the calendar year, while others offer limited-time bonuses or promotions for holiday purchases or travel.
Additionally, increased spending around the holidays — for gifts, vacations or even holiday dinners and decorations — can help you meet the spending requirements for a big welcome bonus.
Here are a few reasons 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.
Many premium credit cards have perks that reset each calendar year. If you open a new credit card in November or December, you might be able to double-dip on savings within a short period by taking advantage of your card’s benefits at the end of 2025 and then again at the beginning of 2026. Examples include:
Up to $300 in annual statement credits toward Lululemon purchases with . (This perk requires advance enrollment and provides up to $75 in credits per calendar quarter. It is eligible for U.S. in-store and online purchases; outlet purchases are excluded).
Up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly with Dell and an additional $1,000 in statement credits after spending $5,000 or more each calendar year with (enrollment is required in advance).
Some other examples of annual travel credits you might be able to double-dip with using this strategy include:
Up to $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals with the
Up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidentals with your preferred airline on the Amex Platinum Card and Business Platinum (enrollment is required in advance)
Up to $600 in statement credits (distributed as up to $300 biannually) for eligible prepaid lodging, including prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (minimum two-night stay required) with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
These credits help offset the Platinum and Business Platinum's high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees for Platinum and Business Platinum).
Leverage opportunities to use your points and miles
Whether it’s the welcome bonus or the earnings from your everyday spending, there's never been a better time to use your hard-earned rewards for a trip of a lifetime.
An example that easily comes to mind is using Atmos Rewards points to book short-haul flights on American Airlines. These flights could be expensive if you were to pay cash during the holidays, and using your Atmos Rewards points to offset the cost of your family get-together can free up a few hundred dollars from your end-of-year budget.
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For some redemption inspiration, check out the following:
Moreover, you’ll be able to use points from your new card to cover your loved ones’ travel into next year. Travel isn’t cheap, and offsetting these expenses with points and miles is a great reason to add a premium credit card to your wallet.
Gift perks to others for the holidays
Premium credit cards offer valuable benefits you can gift to others. Consider these when deciding on gifts for friends and family during the holidays.
For example, you can make qualifying purchases from Lululemon with your Amex Platinum Card or from Dell using your Amex Business Platinum Card. Since you receive statement credits for qualifying purchases (after enrolling for the benefit), these gifts may have no out-of-pocket costs to you.
You could also gift lounge access to a traveler in your life. This could come from adding a loved one to your Amex Platinum Card or (see rates and fees), for example. Just remember that you’re responsible for all spending by authorized users on your account, so set expectations and spending limits before you add them to your account.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Note that most loyalty programs let you book travel for others 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 also saving you money.
Let’s end with what might be the biggest reason to apply for a credit card: welcome offers. The ability to earn a windfall of points or miles quickly is always appealing, and your holiday shopping can help you meet the spending requirements for these bonuses.
The Capital One Venture X Business has a welcome offer that earns up to 300,000 bonus miles and a $1,000 travel credit: 150,000 bonus miles after spending $40,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening, plus an additional 150,000 bonus miles and a $1,000 Capital One Business Travel credit (to use in the first cardholder year) after spending $120,000 total on purchases in the first four months from account opening. Based on TPG's October 2026 valuations, this offer is worth up to $6,550 (including the travel credit).
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There’s also the current offer on the aforementioned : Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Based on our October 2026 valuations, that welcome offer is worth up to $6,000, but it can be worth even more if you redeem your points for business-class airfare or last-minute trips.
These welcome offers and more will help you start the new year on the right financial foot.
Bottom line
The end of the year is a great time to consider adding a premium credit card to your wallet. Between the elevated bonuses we covered above and the ability to double-dip on spending credits, you could treat yourself this holiday season by applying for a premium credit card and reaping its many benefits. And if you’re really in the holiday spirit, you can share some of those benefits with travelers on your shopping list.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
