Act fast: It's your last day to select benefits with these loyalty programs and credit cards
Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
It's Jan. 31. Not only does that mean we're already a month into the new year, but it's also time to take inventory of any expiring benefits and rewards you might still have.
There are a number of benefits and rewards that reset tomorrow – not only because it's the last day of the month, but also because it's the end of the status year with several loyalty programs. There are perks expiring for Delta elites, American Express and Chase cardholders, American Airlines flyers and more.
Keeping track of all these benefits can be challenging, so here's a quick rundown to make that easier.
Delta Choice Benefits
Each year, those who earn or requalify for Delta Platinum or Diamond status are awarded a set of Choice Benefits. These range from Sky Club memberships to upgrade certificates, bonus SkyMiles and more.
Choice Benefits must be selected by Jan. 31 of the year following the calendar year you earned the status. So, if you had status in 2021 (earned through flights and spending in 2020), you must pick your benefits by the end of the month. Delta also gave 2021 Choice Benefits to members who had elite status extended during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you requalified for status this past year, you'll get another set of Choice Benefits, which you can begin to select on Feb. 1, 2022, through Jan. 31, 2023. Those who had their status extended but did not organically requalify will not get another set of Choice Benefits.
You can select your Delta Choice Benefits using this form on Delta's website.
Related: Which Delta Choice Benefits should you pick?
Airline selection for Amex fee credit
Several premium American Express cards come with an annual airline fee credit of up to $200 to $250, depending on the card. The credit itself operates on a calendar year basis, meaning it's available from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. However, you're supposed to select your airline for the year by Jan. 31.
Note that based on our experiences, Amex has been pretty lenient about permitting airline selection changes beyond the usual Jan. 31 deadline for those who called or used the online chat feature to ask. Of course, there's no guarantee that will work for you, but it's worth keeping in mind if you aren't set on an airline yet.
To select your airline, log in to your Amex account and select the card that has an airline fee credit. Then, head to the Benefits page, find the "$200 Airline Fee Credit" option and select your desired airline at the center of the page.
Related: How (and why) to change your airline for your Amex fee credit
MyPanera Coffee+ subscription
All U.S. consumer and business Amex cardholders are eligible for a complimentary six-month subscription to MyPanera+ Coffee. This gets you unlimited hot or iced coffee or hot tea — in any size — at U.S. Panera locations.
To take advantage of this offer, you must register through this link, no later than Jan. 31, 2022. You'll also have to be a MyPanera member (join here for free) and be a new MyPanera Coffee+ subscription member — meaning that you're ineligible if you've participated in Panera's coffee membership in the past.
Related: Amex cardholders can now get free coffee through Panera
Chase's Complimentary DoorDash membership
In 2020, Chase introduced complimentary DoorDash DashPass memberships for certain cardholders. If you haven't enrolled in the subscription yet, you have until March 31, 2022, to do so.
But if you enrolled in 2020, your membership will end on Jan. 31, 2022, and renew at the $9.99 monthly rate. If you'd like to cancel your membership before then, you can do so under the "Manage DashPass" tab on your DoorDash app.
Related: Free Chase DoorDash membership ends soon; $9.99 monthly bill if you don't cancel
American Airlines Flight Credit promotion
American Airlines "Flight Credits" from canceled flights can normally only be used by the originally ticketed passenger. However, in October, American introduced a promotion that allows travelers to use their existing Flight Credits for others. This promotion ends on Jan. 31, 2022.
Though this is a limited-time offer, know that American has embarked on a multi-step process for making it easier to redeem these credits. Flight Credits are being converted into more flexible "Trip Credit," and they are always transferrable — you don't need to rely on a limited-time promotion to use your voucher for someone else.
Related: American Airlines promo gives redeeming credits a new lifeline
Monthly Amex statement credits
In addition to these bigger benefits and rewards expiring today, don't forget about any ongoing benefits that reset tomorrow. For instance, there's the monthly Uber Cash credit offered by the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. The Gold Card also offers its monthly dining credit, while the Platinum Card also provides monthly digital entertainment, Equinox and Walmart credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: Here's how to use (and track) your Amex statement credits
Bottom line
The clock is ticking to take advantage of several expiring benefits and rewards. These perks can be highly valuable and are an excellent way to recoup an ongoing annual fee on a credit card. Act now so you don't miss out on these perks.