Don't Let Your Credit Card Credits Expire: 2023 Checklist

As we near the end of 2023, it’s an ideal time to make sure you’re maximizing your credit card credits. You won’t regret it! 

A lot of credit cards offer statement credits for specific types of purchases during the year, and they often expire at the end of the year. These credits typically work on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, meaning any unused portion cannot be carried over to 2024. It’s crucial to know if your credits renew each calendar year or on the anniversary of your account opening. In either case, plan your purchases a few days before this date to make sure they are reflected on your statement in time. Charges still pending that post after this date aren’t always eligible. 

Use your annual credits: 

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Up to $200 in airline incidentals fee statement credit and up to $200 in annual prepaid hotel statement credits, as well as reimbursement for a Clear Plus membership. 
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Up to $200 in airline incidentals fee statement credits. While not travel-related, cardmembers also can receive up to $150 in statement credits for qualifying purchases with Adobe and reimbursement for a CLEAR Plus membership each year. 
• Citi Prestige: Up to $250 in statement credits for travel purchases annually
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Up to $400 Hilton Resort credit with purchases made directly with participating properties, along with up to $200 in flight credits, and a $189 CLEAR Plus credit. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.
• The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card: Up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases.
• American Express Green Card:  Cardholders receive an annual $189 CLEAR credit and an annual $100 LoungeBuddy credit. These reset each calendar year, so you should be able to use them anytime until December 31st!
• Citi Rewards+: the card comes with a 10% rebate on redemptions, up to 10,000 points bonus per calendar year
• Expedia Voyager Card: Cardholders receive a $100 annual credit toward airline incidentals on qualified airlines, Wi-Fi carriers, or for the Global Entry application fee. This credit resets each calendar year - be sure to use it up before your December statement closes. 
• JetBlue Plus Card: Cardholders receive a $100 year credit for JetBlue Vacations bookings that expires at the end of the year. 
• Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card: Up to $100 statement credits for airline incidental fees charged to your card.
• Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card: Up to $300 in statement credits for airline incidentals charged to your card each year and up to $150 in statement credits for “lifestyle” purchases, such as ride-hailing apps, streaming services, food delivery, and fitness memberships.

Use your semi-annual credits:

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Cardholders receive up to $100 in credits to spend at Saks Fifth Avenue every calendar year. One is given as a $50 credit available for purchases between January and June and the second $50 credit is given for purchases made between July and December. Reminder: enrollment is required in advance for this benefit.
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Cardholders receive up to $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases in each half of the year, providing up to $400 in value throughout the year. Reminder: enrollment is required in advance for this benefit.

Use your quarterly and monthly credits:

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Cardholders usually receive $15 in monthly Uber Cash credit but get a whopping $35 credit in December, so be sure to use these credits on rides or Uber Eats orders before the year ends!
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Cardholders receive up to $10 per month in wireless credits and up to $90 per quarter in statement credits for Indeed.com purchases. 
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card:  Cardholders receive $300 in annual credits for dining, available in credits of up to $25 per month.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Cardholders receive up to $50 in credits each quarter (January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December) for eligible purchases charged directly with a property within the Hilton portfolio, including bookings and incidental charges.

These credits offset the annual fees of your cards. As the year draws to a close, make sure to fully utilize all your credits that expire by December 31, 2023.