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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
Some great credit card benefits are based on cardmember anniversary, not calendar year
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.
TPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.
also contributed to this story
February 17, 2025 • 16 min read
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Quick summary
Many travel rewards cards offer benefits that reset each account anniversary rather than by calendar year.
These perks can include statement credits, companion tickets, free hotel nights and bonus points tied to your cardmember year.
Eligibility for certain benefits often requires meeting spending thresholds or renewing the card.
Understanding the timing of these benefits helps maximize their value and avoid missing out.
What to consider
Some benefits require you to keep your account open for a set period after the anniversary date or to meet specific spending amounts.
Companion tickets and credits may be subject to taxes and fees, and have expiration dates or usage restrictions.
Hotel free night awards and bonus points often have limits on property categories or redemption values.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which card benefits reset on your anniversary, including specific examples and tips for tracking and maximizing them.
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.
However, many credit cards offer statement credits and other perks that are timed to the account anniversary (and payment of the annual fee) rather than the calendar year — and it's important to know the distinction.
You'll want to keep track of your credit card benefits and know which are based on your cardmember year rather than the calendar year so that you can take full advantage of them.
With that in mind, here are the best credit card benefits that reset each account anniversary rather than calendar year.
General travel rewards cards
Some general travel cards include various statement credits that are based on your account anniversary.
BOJANSTORY/GETTY IMAGES
These benefits are often flexible and important to remember to utilize so you know you're getting the most value out of your card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Perhaps the most useful benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see ) is the travel statement credit, which resets every cardmember year.
$300 travel statement credit: Receive up to $300 in annual travel credit as a statement credit for a wide array of travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see ) offers a more modest credit as Chase's lower-annual-fee Sapphire option, but it's certainly worth using each account anniversary year.
$100 hotel statement credit: Receive up to $100 as a statement credit when you use your card to book hotel stays through Chase Travel℠.
An oft-overlooked premium option, this card nonetheless offers a persuasive cardmember-year credit. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve closed to new applicants in November 2024.
$325 annual travel and dining statement credit: Up to $325 in statement credits per cardmember year for purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxicabs, limousines and other eligible travel providers. This credit can also be used for eligible dining purchases.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Two companion certificates: Cardmembers who spend $20,000 during an account year and keep their account open for 45 days after their anniversary date earn two $99 (plus taxes and fees) companion tickets for domestic economy travel on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines (or its regional affiliates) within the 48 contiguous United States.
Wi-Fi credits: Cardholders also receive up to $50 in inflight Wi-Fi statement credits each account year that can be used toward sessions on American Airlines-operated flights when purchased with their card.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver 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.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is the lower-annual-fee option in Barclays' lineup of American Airlines cobranded cards, and it has a benefit similar to the Aviator Silver.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
However, instead of two companion tickets for spending $20,000 each account anniversary year, you'll only receive one with the Aviator Red.
One companion certificate: Spend $20,000 or more on purchases in an account year and keep your account open for 45 days after the anniversary date, and you can earn a $99 companion certificate (plus taxes and fees) good for a round-trip domestic economy ticket within the 48 contiguous United States on American Airlines. It is valid for one year after the date of issue.
Wi-Fi credits: Receive up to $25 back as statement credits for inflight Wi-Fi purchases each account anniversary year on American Airlines-operated flights.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite 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.
Companion fare benefit: Cardholders are entitled to a companion fare of $99 plus taxes and fees (from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the previous card membership year.
The primary cardholder is required to pay for the ticket, and the companion fare must be redeemed within 12 months from the date of issue (though travel can take place after this) for economy travel only. Still, this can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Flight discount: With the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select, earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 or more during a card membership year and keeping your card open for at least one full billing cycle after your anniversary month. The flight discount expires one year from the date it's issued.
Companion certificate: With the Citi / AAdvantage Business Mastercard, earn a $99 (plus taxes and fees) economy companion ticket after spending $30,000 on the card in a card membership year and renewing it. The account must remain open for one full billing cycle after your anniversary month.
Companion certificate for Main Cabin: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, you'll receive a companion certificate for a round-trip flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year after you renew your card. The companion certificate is good for a seat in Main Cabin and requires taxes and fees between $22 and $250.
$100 annual companion discount: Cardholders receive an annual discount of $100 off a companion ticket for round-trip travel between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. on Hawaiian Airlines after account renewal.
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite 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.
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card, JetBlue Business Card and JetBlue Premier Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Each of the Southwest cobranded Chase cards comes with an anniversary points bonus. The number of points you receive on your account anniversary varies depending on which card you hold.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Don’t forget about U.S. credit cards offered by international airlines, including the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® for Lufthansa flyers.
Companion ticket and business lounge vouchers: You don’t even have to wait until your first account anniversary to take advantage of this one. After your first purchase, and then every year you renew your card, you earn a companion ticket as long as your account remains open and in good standing. All taxes and fees must be paid on the companion ticket. Cardholders can also enjoy two one-time Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers upon first use and every account anniversary after the payment of the annual fee (as long as the account remains open and in good standing at least 45 days after paying the annual fee).
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The information for the Miles & More World Elite 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.
The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard® offers a path to a companion award ticket — albeit a complicated one — along with the opportunity to earn other perks through spending.
Choice of spending-based benefits: Cardholders who spend $15,000 or more on purchases in an account year qualify for the choice of one of six rewards. If you spend $30,000 in a cardholder year, you can select another reward. Reward options include a cabin upgrade on Virgin Atlantic, a bonus night at Virgin Hotels or an up-to-$300 bar tab on Virgin Voyages.
The information for the Virgin Red Rewards 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.
Hotel credit cards offer some of the most valuable anniversary benefits out there.
CHARLY SIMON/SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD
You can take advantage of statement credits, free nights and more with certain hotel credit cards.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The most premium Hilton credit card offers many benefits, including one perk based on your account anniversary.
Up to three reward nights: If you hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and pay its annual fee, you can enjoy one night at nearly any Hilton property worldwide on your cardmember anniversary annually. You can earn a second free night reward after spending $30,000 in a calendar year, and you'll receive a third night if you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. Terms apply.
Free night and Earned Choice Award: You'll receive one free night award each year after your card renewal month to be used at any Marriott Bonvoy property with a points value at or below 85,000 points per night. Certain hotels have resort fees. If you spend $60,000 or more on eligible purchases with the card, you'll be eligible for an Earned Choice Award benefit; you can choose elite night credits, the ability to gift Marriott Silver Elite status to another member, Nightly Upgrade Awards and more. Terms apply.
Free night award: Upon renewing their card, cardholders receive a free night award worth up to 35,000 points every year on their account anniversary. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Folks with the World of Hyatt Credit Card can expect a free night every year.
Up to two free nights: Each year after your card anniversary, you’ll be rewarded with an electronic certificate that can be redeemed toward a free night at a Category 1-4 property. Earn a second free night at a Category 1-4 hotel each year after spending $15,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.
Free night certificate, and bonus points: On both cards, enjoy a free night certificate after each account anniversary year at hotels that require up to 50,000 points for an award night redemption. Cardholders who spend $25,000 during an account year receive 20,000 bonus points with the IHG One Rewards Business card and cardholders who spend $15,000 during an account year receive $15,000 bonus points with the IHG One Rewards Premier card.
Many rewards credit cards offer annual benefits that are based on the calendar year, but quite a few also come with perks that reset each account anniversary instead. Once you pay your annual fee, you might be eligible for companion tickets, on-property credits and more. So be certain to review your cards’ specific benefit packages and make sure you are taking advantage of all they have to offer.
