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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.
Guides
Maximize your annual credits: Your 2025 end-of-year credit card checklist
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
November 28, 2025 • 9 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.
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Quick summary
Many credit cards offer annual statement credits and perks that expire at the end of each calendar year if not used.
These benefits can include credits for travel, fitness memberships, security programs, and select retail or service purchases.
Some cards require enrollment for specific credits, and eligibility or redemption rules may apply.
Reviewing and using these credits before year-end can help offset costs and maximize card value.
What to consider
Some credits are tied to specific merchants, services, or travel providers and may require advance enrollment or selection.
Certain credits are only valid for prepaid purchases or after meeting minimum spend thresholds within the calendar year.
Rotating bonus categories and targeted promotions may also expire at year-end, so timely activation and usage are essential.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed checklist of which annual credits and promotions to prioritize before they expire, plus tips for maximizing each benefit.
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.
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 ).
Airline incidentals: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the one qualifying airline you select*
Clear+: Up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear+ 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. Maximizing these credits alone can more than cover the card's $895 annual fee (see ).
Adobe: $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+: Up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear+ 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.
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American Express Classic Green
Unlike its more expensive cousins, the American Express® Classic Green Card (no longer accepting applications) doesn't have that many credits, and its valuable Clear statement is easy to set and forget.
Clear Plus: Up to $219 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 Classic 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.
Clear+: Up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear+ membership (excluding taxes and fees; enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal)
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
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.
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 ), 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 ): $125 in United TravelBank Cash after making five $100-plus United flight purchases in a calendar year
United℠ Explorer Card (see ): $100 in United TravelBank Cash after spending at least $10,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year
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 ) 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 ) 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 ) 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
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 ).
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.
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.
