The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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How credit cards can help you kick off your New Year’s resolutions
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
December 30, 2025 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
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.
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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.
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Quick summary
Credit cards can support common New Year's resolutions by providing rewards and savings on fitness, reading, cooking and travel-related purchases.
Many cards offer merchant-specific discounts, statement credits or bonus rewards for spending at select locations or on certain categories like groceries or fitness memberships.
Online shopping portals and merchant offers can help maximize savings or rewards when shopping online, including options to earn cash back or points with various loyalty programs.
Using the right card for your habits—whether focused on travel, cash back or specific spending categories—can help you get more value as you work toward your goals.
What to consider
Some rewards categories have spending caps or require enrollment to access specific benefits.
Merchant offers and shopping portal deals are time-sensitive and may require activation before use.
Rewards structures and eligible merchants vary, so review terms to ensure purchases qualify for bonus rewards or statement credits.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for aligning your credit card use with specific resolutions, including maximizing rewards on fitness, groceries, reading and travel.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
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.
Happy New Year! As we close out the year and look to the next, many of us are making resolutions to be better in the new year.
And what’s better than being rewarded for keeping those resolutions? With the right credit card, you can save money and earn valuable rewards as you practice your resolutions — no matter what they are.
Here are our favorite ways credit cards can help you stick to your 2026 resolutions.
Exercise more
Whether you’re checking out the new fitness studio in town or investing in home workout equipment and a fitness subscription, you can earn bonus rewards on your fitness purchases.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES
If you’re going the home gym route, you may want to take advantage of the up to $300 Equinox membership credit you’ll get each calendar year with the American Express Platinum Card®. (Enrollment is required; terms apply.)
Or, if you’re purchasing new fitness equipment, you can use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see ) to earn 10 points per dollar on a Peloton equipment purchase of $150 or more (up to 50,000 points through Dec. 2027).
The Bilt Mastercard® also does more than let you pay rent without a transaction fee. With it, you can book eligible fitness classes with your points or earn bonus rewards when you book them using your card.
TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
It may sound counterintuitive that credit cards can help you save money, but you can take advantage of merchant offers and shopping portals to save money on the purchases you’re making anyway.
Most credit cards offer merchant-specific discounts that function like coupons. Just log in to your account and add any offers you might use to your card.
Then, as long as you spend at that merchant by the date the offer expires, you’ll automatically get a statement credit or, in some cases, earn additional rewards on the purchase.
JLCO JULIA AMARAL/GETTY IMAGES
To save (or earn) even more, go through a shopping portal when you’re shopping online. Begin your online shopping trip from the portal. Then, you’ll automatically earn rewards on your purchase — on top of the credit card rewards and merchant offers you’re already taking advantage of.
We love Rakuten because you can choose to earn rewards as cash back, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Rewards points. Plus, there are many other shopping portals to choose from, including those from major airlines.
And if you’re focused on pinching pennies more than traveling this year, consider using a cash-back credit card. You’ll earn a percentage back on everything you purchase, and you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit to cover your purchases.
If you’re buying books or using a subscription to encourage yourself to read more, credit cards can help you save money on this habit.
First, be on the lookout for reading-related merchant offers. For instance, I regularly see offers on my Chase cards for Audible and Kindle Unlimited subscriptions.
Cafe Books in Canmore. MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
And if you prefer audiobooks and ebooks to hard copies, you’ll want to use the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express for your reading subscriptions. It earns 6% cash-back on eligible U.S. streaming purchases, including reading subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited, Audible and Spotify.
Cash back is earned as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Of course, if you’re buying physical books or a new e-reader from Amazon, you’ll want to use your Prime Visa (see ) to earn 5% back on these purchases as well.
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you’re looking to eat healthier in the new year, chances are you’ll be spending less on dining out and more on groceries. Ensure you have a credit card that earns bonus points on these grocery purchases.
If you want to earn travel rewards, you can’t beat the American Express® Gold Card. It earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on U.S. supermarket purchases, on up to $25,000 in spending each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES
And if you’re focused on cash-back rewards, we love the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. It earns unlimited 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and doesn’t have an annual fee.
Plus, both the Amex Gold and the Capital One Savor also earn bonus rewards on dining purchases, so they’re also great cards to reach for when your cooking plans go up in smoke and you need to order pizza.
Note that the Amex Gold's dining category is subject to a spending cap; cardmembers will earn 4 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in restaurant purchases worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar.
If this is the year you’re ready to dust off your suitcase and finally take your dream trip, credit cards can certainly help with that.
The easiest way to build a strong points balance is to earn the welcome bonus on a new credit card. We’ve compiled a list of the best welcome offers this month, so start there if you don’t already have a card in mind.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Beyond that, we’re here to help you use credit card rewards for whatever travels you have on your list. Whether you’re headed to the Maldives, Disney World or a national park, points and miles can help make your trip a reality.
