Beyond earning valuable points and miles you can use to book free flights and hotels, many travel rewards credit cards also come with a host of benefits that can save you even more money on your travels and everyday expenses. After major updates to some of the big name premium travel cards earlier this year, there's more money on the table than ever.
Keeping track of everything isn't easy.
From monthly Uber Cash, Resy, and rideshare credits through American Express to annual allotments toward hotel stays, airline fees, and even concert tickets, these perks can help offset the cost of these cards' annual fees, which range from $95 to nearly $900 a year. But many of these money-saving credits reset each calendar year … and they're use-them-or-lose-them perks: Any unused credits won't roll over into next year.
Forgetting to use just one monthly credit – or, even worse, an annual one – could mean you're out hundreds of dollars. Don't leave money on the table!
Here's a roundup of some of the biggest credit card perks you should make sure you're using up before the end of 2025.
This list isn't (quite) exhaustive – go further with our free credit card tracking tool!
American Express Platinum Card®
After a major overhaul this fall, there's more to keep tabs on with the American Express Platinum Card® … but more value on the table, too.
Between the monthly, quarterly, twice-a-year, and annual credits on this card, there could be more than $1,000 to put to use before the calendar turns.
$300 Hotel Credit
Amex upped the ante for hotel stays.
Cardholders now get credits of up to $600 per year to use for prepaid hotel stays through the American Express Travel® booking portal: up to $300 from January through June, and up to $300 from July through the end of the year. That means new and longtime cardholders alike have $300 to put toward a hotel stay by Dec. 31.
This credit only applies to Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) or The Hotel Collection properties. Notably, The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights.
After making an eligible prepaid booking through Amex Travel, you'll receive up to $300 back as a statement credit within 90 days (usually within days). And since these semi-annual credits run on the calendar year, you still have time to take advantage of them before the end of the year! You don't need to complete your stay before the calendar flips to 2026; just make sure to book before then.
This credit alone is a great way to recoup more than a third of the Amex Platinum card's annual_fees annual fee (see rates & fees).
With expensive hotel prices, this credit could be your ticket to a really cheap luxury hotel stay, and FHR bookings even come with elite-like perks. When I used this credit earlier this year for a luxury stay at the Brach Paris – Evok Collection in Paris, I got daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade, late checkout, and a $100 credit to use at the property's spa or restaurants.
Read our guide to using the Amex Platinum Hotel credit!
$200 Airline Fee Credit
The Platinum Card also comes with up to $200 per year in statement credits for incidental airline fees. What does that mean?
Technically, it's supposed to be used for things like checked baggage, guest access at a lounge, and paid seat assignments. But it's not as simple as swiping your card with any old airline – you'll first need to enroll in this benefit and pick your airline of choice before taking advantage.
That means, on paper, you can't put these credits toward the cost of booking a flight. But in practice, there are a few great workarounds to make it happen:
- Got eCredits with Delta after canceling flights this year? Use them to book travel for 2026, then put the remaining balance on your Amex Platinum or Gold Card. So long as you charge less than $250 to your card and have selected Delta as your preferred airline, it should trigger the credit.
- Pick Southwest as your preferred airline for these credits and book a cheap flight – flights under $99 typically trigger it, in our experience.
- Select United Airlines instead, then load up your United TravelBank account using your Amex card – allowing you to use the airline credit to book tickets with United.
- Pay for your pal to get into the Delta Sky Club with you on your next trip to the airport.
- Upgrade to the Spirit Big Front Seat for your next flight.
- Book an award ticket and charge the taxes and fees to your Platinum card!
Like most of these Amex statement credits, this is a “use it or lose it” perk. If you don't use up every dollar, it won't roll over into 2026. Luckily, American Express makes it easy to track whether you've used up your airline credits – just log into your account and check your benefits tab.
Remember, this benefit is based on the calendar year – not when you opened your Amex Platinum. That means you have just a couple of weeks left to use this credit before it expires.
Read our full guide on the best ways to use these airline credits to get the most out of them!
$100 in Resy Credits
One of the best new benefits on the Platinum Card is up to $400 a year toward dining purchases at more than 10,000 U.S. Resy-partner restaurants, split into $100 each quarter. That means you've got up to $100 left to use before the year ends.
You'll need to enroll online in your Amex account before dining at one of these restaurants. And like most Amex credits, this is a use-it-or-lose-it benefit. If you don't spend the full $100 in each quarter, it won't roll over to the next.
Once you're enrolled, it's easy to use. Just head to Resy.com, find an eligible restaurant nearby, and charge the tab to your Platinum Card. You don't need to actually make a reservation through Resy in order to trigger the credit … and in many cases, you can buy a gift card from a participating restaurant and put it to use!
Read more: How to Use Your Amex Resy Credits
$75 for Lululemon
Need some workout clothes or athleisure wear? Charge it to your Platinum Card.
Cardholders can now get up to $75 back each quarter (up to $300 a year) on purchases at U.S. Lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) or online at lululemon.com. Lululemon gear is pricey, so these new credits may not cover much more than a t-shirt, a few pairs of socks, or underwear. Still, it's useful to offset the cost of the shopping you might already be doing – especially last-minute holiday gifts.
Thrifty Tip: While the terms and conditions say otherwise, this credit will still work to buy gift cards so long as you buy them in-store or ship a physical gift card to your house – at least for now: This could change over time. That means you could buy a few gift cards over time and put them towards a larger purchase.
Like many of these benefits, enrollment is required before you can take advantage. Head to your online Amex account and enroll in this new benefit before you use it.
$50 Saks Shopping Credit
Just for holding the Amex Platinum, you also get up to $100 in credits annually to use online or in-store at Saks Fifth Avenue. These credits are available in two installments: One $50 credit will be available from January through June, and you get another one to use from July through December.
That means time is running out to use the second $50 credit for 2025. You’ve got through Dec. 31, to use this $50 Saks credit … but I wouldn't recommend cutting it that close. In many cases, Saks won't actually charge you until your item ships, which means it's best to place your order as soon as possible.
One big bummer? Saks will charge you $9.99 (or more) in shipping unless you spend $300 or more on each order. I usually just restock on some nice hand soap for the house twice a year and call it good.
$35 in Uber Cash
If you have an Amex Platinum Card, you get up to $200 in Uber Cash to use on rides and Uber Eats orders each year. And December is the most important month of all.
Here's how it works: Platinum cardholders get up to $15 per month in Uber Cash … but that increases to $35 in December (for an annual total of $200). But critically, that monthly allotment doesn't roll over to the next month. That means it's even more important to use up your Uber Cash before the end of the year.
Thrifty Tip: For Uber Eats orders, opt for pickup instead of delivery to save on additional fees and tipping.
Up to $25 a Month in Entertainment Credits
Another perk added to the Platinum Card a few years ago is up to $20 in monthly entertainment credits, which has recently increased to $25 per month. And you've got more options than ever to put it to use.
This up to $25 monthly credit can currently be used for Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Paramount+, YouTube TV, and YouTube Premium.
If you aren't already paying for one of these services on your Platinum card, put it on file before the year is out and get up to $25 back.
Other Credits Expiring Soon
- $300 Equinox gym (or Equinox+ app) credit
- $209 to cover the entire cost of a CLEAR® Plus membership
- $200 annual Oura ring credit
American Express Gold Card®
$50 Resy Credit
The single biggest credit on the American Express® Gold Card is also arguably the easiest to use.
You'll get up to $50 semi-annually (January to June and July to December) in statement credits on eligible purchases made with U.S. Resy restaurants. That means you've got $50 to use by the end of the year toward a nice dinner.
To take advantage, you'll need to find a Resy partner restaurant and then spend money directly with that restaurant. You're not required to make a reservation through Resy or pay through the app for the credit to work.
Just like many of these other credits, you'll need to enroll online in your Amex account before dining at one of these restaurants. And once again, this is a use-it-or-lose-it benefit: If you don't spend the full $50 before the year's over, it won't roll over to the next six months.
Your Last $10 in Monthly Dining Credits
Many of the Amex Gold card's other benefits are smaller, monthly credits.
For starters, you get a monthly dining credit of up to $10 (up to $120 a year) to use at any of the following: Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.
If you just picked up the Gold Card or haven't used this benefit before, you'll need to enroll first – once you do, you're all set. Simply use your card to make a purchase with one of those merchants and your credit should kick in a few days later.
Just remember: This dining credit does not roll over to the next month and your unused balance will expire by the end of the month.
$120 Uber Cash
The Amex Platinum isn't the only card that gets a stash of monthly Uber Cash. Amex Gold Cardholders also get up to $10 per month in Uber Cash for use on either Uber or Uber Eats.
Once again, this is a use-it-or-lose-it benefit: If you don't spend $10 with Uber or Uber Eats in December, it won't carry over to January.
Thrifty Tip: If you have both the Amex Platinum and Gold Card, you can use the combined total of $45 Uber Cash for your transactions this month.
$84 Dunkin' Credit
Gold cardholders now get up to $84 per year at Dunkin' – the coffee chain formerly known as Dunkin Donuts. But that's split into installments of up to $7 a month.
If you want to save up your credits for a bigger order, there's an easy way to do it: Simply load your Dunkin' account with $7 per month in the mobile app. When you do this, it won't expire at the end of the month and it's an especially good option for those without a Dunkin' close by.
Much like the Resy credit, you'll need to enroll your card in this benefit before you can take advantage of it. Once you do, simply swipe your Gold Card when purchasing your morning coffee at Dunkin', and you're all set. Amex will automatically reimburse you up to $7 per month.
That means a free coffee or two every month!
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
For years, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® was beloved for its blend of travel perks and easy-to-use benefits. After a major overhaul this summer – and an annual fee hike, too – those days are over.
There are now a metric ton of use-them-or-lose them benefits on Chase's flagship travel card. Whether you're a longtime cardholder or just added it to your wallet, all these benefits are now yours to use … and many of them expire at the end of the year!
One note: The card's popular (and incredibly flexible) $300 annual travel credit does not expire based on the calendar year, but based upon your renewal date. Still, there's plenty of perks you should be sure to use before 2026 comes.
$250 “The Edit” Hotel Credit
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get up to $250 in statement credits for prepaid, “The Edit” hotel bookings to use from January to June, and again from July to December, for up to $500 per year.
Starting next year, this credit will become a little easier to use, as it transitions from a semi-annual credit to twice a year … regardless of when you book. But for now, you've got $250 to put toward a hotel stay before the year ends.
This new hotel collection from Chase offers a curated set of upscale properties, similar to Amex's Fine Hotels + Resorts®. In addition to the card's semi-annual credit, you'll also get added benefits like complimentary breakfast, a $100 property credit, possible upgrades, and more. However, you must book at least a two-night stay for the credit to kick in.
You can book a future stay far out in 2026 using your credit before the year ends. Just be sure to book before Dec. 31 so it doesn't go to waste.
Related reading: Why Amex's Fine Hotels + Resorts® Trumps Chase's The Edit Portfolio (For Now…)
$150 Dining Credit
With the Sapphire Reserve, you'll get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December, for a maximum of $300 annually, for dining at restaurants that are part of our “Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.”
You'll mostly find eligible restaurants in major cities like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, but even some mid-sized cities like Charleston, Minneapolis, Nashville, Denver, and more have a handful of restaurants where you can use this credit. Since these restaurants skew higher end, you should have no trouble using your final semi-annual credit of up to $150 in one fell swoop before New Year's … or maybe even over multiple visits.
Read more: Breaking Down the New $300 Dining Credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve
$150 StubHub Credit
You now get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually for StubHub and viagogo purchases through Dec. 31, 2027.
Just like the Dining Credit, that means you've got $150 to put towards live events like concerts, sports, or even theater and comedy shows, this credit should be pretty easy to use and help you get some value back out of your card's annual_fees annual fee before the year is over.
Complimentary Apple TV+ & Apple Music Subscription
You'll now get a complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription for holding the Sapphire Reserve card (through June 22, 2027). If you're already paying for one (or both) of these services, that's an annual value of $250. If you aren't already, be sure to put this one to use.
One thing to note about this credit is that it's not valid for Apple One subscriptions or even family subscriptions of Apple Music or Apple TV+.
Read more: Making the Most of the New Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apple Perks
Up to $25 on DoorDash in December
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get up to $300 a year toward DoorDash's services … but it's split into three separate credits:
- You get one $5 per month discount on DoorDash restaurant orders, and…
- Two monthly coupons of up to $10 off on grocery, convenience, and other non-restaurant orders
These promos must be applied at checkout when placing an order on DoorDash using the Sapphire Reserve card enrolled in DashPass. Unfortunately, if you don't get around to using one of your promos, it won't carry over to the next month. That means you'll want to use up all $25 in credits before the year ends.
You'll also get a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, providing free delivery access and lower platform fees. Just be sure to activate this benefit by Dec. 31, 2027, and it'll be good for a minimum of one year.
$10 Towards Lyft
Sapphire Reserve cardholders get up to $10 in monthly Lyft credits (up to $120 per year) to use on rides – plus earn 5x total points on your purchase – through Sept. 30, 2027.
Use your final Lyft credit before the month ends!
$10 for Peloton, Too!
You also get up to $10 in statement credits per month on eligible Peloton memberships through Dec. 31, 2027, for a maximum of $120 per year (activation is required).
Just $10 won't even cover the full cost of a monthly membership in December, but you might as well use this if you're already paying for it.
Delta SkyMiles Cards
Delta Stays Credits
Depending on which SkyMiles credit card you carry, you've now got up to $250 in credits to use with Delta Stays each year. Delta Stays is similar to other online travel agencies (OTAs) in that you can easily search for hotel and vacation rentals in thousands of cities worldwide.
Here's how much you'll get depending on which card you have:
- The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card comes with an up to $100 Delta Stays credit each calendar year – or $150 on its small business counterpart
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with an up to $150 Delta Stays credit each calendar year, or $200 on the business version
- The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with an up to $200 Delta Stays credit each calendar year, or $250 with the business card
To take advantage of your credit, head to the dedicated Delta Stays website to begin your search. The terms for these credits say that they only apply to prepaid hotel and vacation rental bookings – if you choose the “pay at property” option, you wouldn't be eligible for the credit.
Once you make your reservation and pay with your eligible SkyMiles card, the Delta Stays credit should be applied to your statement almost instantly.
Since these credits renew on the calendar year, you've got just a few short weeks left to take advantage. And even though you need to make a prepaid booking, you don't actually have to complete your stay before the end of the year.
That means if you're just picking up one of these cards for the first time, you'd be able to use the credit both this year and next, all while paying a single year's annual fee.
Up to $20 in Resy Credits
Delta's top two cards also come with credits of their own for eligible purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. But unlike on other Amex cards, these are smaller, monthly sums.
How much you get depends on the specific SkyMiles card that you have.
Here's a look at what each card gets:
- Reserve (or Reserve Business) cardholders get up to $20 a month
- Platinum (or Platinum Business) cardholders get up to $10 monthly
While just $20 (or even $10) may not cover much, you might as well use your last credit before the month ends!
Thrifty Tip: Buy a $10 (or $20) gift card to your favorite Resy restaurant for a future visit – in-store and online purchases through Toast should trigger this credit.
It's also worth noting that the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card now come with a monthly rideshare credit, which you could even stack with the Uber Cash that comes with the Platinum and Gold Cards.
With each of Delta's top two cards, you get up to $120 in statement credits (doled out in $10 monthly installments) a year when you use your card to pay for a ride with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, or Alto.
Only rides booked with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, or Alto will earn a statement credit back – and critically, you can't use this on Uber Eats orders.
But there is one workaround: Purchasing Lyft Cash will also trigger the rideshare credit, although you can only purchase Lyft Cash in amounts of either $25, $50, or $100. An Uber Cash transaction, however, will not.
Hilton Honors Cards
$200 Hilton Resort Statement Credit on the Aspire
Each year you hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you get up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits to use at select Hilton properties around the world. It's broken up into two chunks: You'll get up to $200 the first half of the year (January through June) and then another $200 in the second half of the year (July through December).
This credit alone eats up more than half of the card's annual fee, and it's incredibly easy to use. It works at hundreds of participating Hilton properties around the globe – and not just spots with the word “resort” in them, but Waldorf Astoria locations in Las Vegas and Dubai, Conrad locations in Mexico and the Caribbean, and some everyday Hiltons across the U.S. and around the world.
Just charge your dinner, activities, or trip to the spa to your room before the end of the year, pay with your Aspire card at checkout, and voila – the credit kicks in. Even some room rates will qualify for this resort credit, so even if you're not planning to stay at a Hilton Resort before the end of the year, you could always plan a stay for further out and then call the hotel to pre-pay $200 now in order to use this credit.
I've had great luck calling ahead to apply payment and ensure I put this credit to use before the year is out, including for some unorthodox expenses.
Read more: How I Saved $866 in Bora Bora with the Hilton Aspire Card
$50 Quarterly Hilton
The mid-tier Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card now comes with a Hilton statement credit of up to $200 a year, eligible to use at any Hilton property worldwide – and it's not just usable at Hilton resorts, as is the case on the higher-end Hilton Aspire Card.
But this is a quarterly benefit: You'll get up to $50 in statement credits to use at Hilton properties every three months. If you don't use it from October through December, you'll lose it.
Simply stay at a Hilton once a quarter, pay with your Surpass Card for nightly rates or room charges, and get up to $50 back each quarter in statement credits.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Much like the popular personal Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express got a facelift this year – and some excellent new benefits.
But just like many cards on this list, many of those benefits will reset with the New Year.
$300 in Hotel Credits
After missing out on one of the Platinum Card's best benefits for years, Business Platinum cardholders now get some hotel love: Up to $600 in credits per year, broken down into two $300 chunks to use from January through June and July through December.
That means you've got $300 to use up toward a future hotel stay before the year is out. The requirements are the exact same as with the personal Platinum Card:
- You'll need to book a Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection property. FHR stays can be one night, but Hotel Collection properties require at least a two-night stay
- You can book a prepaid stay for far out in 2026
Combined with the extra perks you get on these reservations – a $100 on-property credit, free daily breakfast for two, and more – this is a key one to make sure you use before the year ends.
$200 Amex Airline Fee Credit
This card comes with the same Airline Fee Credit that comes with the Amex Platinum Card.
Each year, you'll get up to $200 in fees at one qualifying airline for things like checked baggage, guest access at a lounge, and others will be reimbursed. You must select a U.S. airline to use by logging into your American Express account and navigating to your benefits, although you may be able to switch mid-year by calling or messaging Amex.
But the clock is ticking to put this perk to use.
$150 Dell Credit
In conjunction with its big makeover earlier this year, the Business Platinum Card's Dell credit got the opposite of a glow-up. A glow down?
Anyway, you now get up to $150 each calendar year to use online at Dell. That's down from the previous sum of $400, split into two installments of $200. You'll need to use that $150 credit before Dec. 31 or lose it.
While the thought of using $150 towards a new Dell computer might not sound overly exciting, you might be surprised at the vast array of products you can buy at Dell.com. From furniture to smart devices and other tech, they've got much more than just Dell products to offer. Personally, I use my credit to buy some Google Home devices for the house.
You can also earn another $1,000 statement credit toward Dell by spending $5,000 or more at Dell on your Business Platinum Card each calendar year.
$50 Hilton Credit
Just like the Hilton Surpass card, the Business Platinum comes with a statement credit of up to $200 per year for purchases made at Hilton.
You'll get a quarterly allotment of up to $50 in statement credits to use at Hilton properties once every three months. If you don't use it from October through December, you'll lose it. That means you've got just a few weeks left to book (and pay for) a Hilton stay to use up this quarter's credit.
If you're not planning to stay with Hilton before the year's over, you could always pre-pay for a stay next year.
Other Credits Expiring Soon
- Up to $209 to cover the entire cost of a CLEAR® Plus membership
- $250 Adobe statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card
- A final $90 quarterly statement credit for purchases with Indeed
- $10 monthly for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi got tired of watching Chase and American Express have all the fun with premium travel credit cards.
The new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card debuted in July, upping the ante with lounge access, other perks, and of course, plenty of use-them-or-lose-them credits. Fortunately, they're easier to use than many competitors.
All information about the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
$300 Hotel Credit
Like its competitors, Citi's premium travel card can unlock some big savings on hotels.
Each calendar year, you get $300 to put toward a hotel stay … with two important caveats:
- It must be a minimum two-night stay
- You have to book through cititravel.com using your Strata Elite card
Still, this should be fairly easy for new Strata Elite cardholders to utilize by the end of the year. Keep in mind: You can book a prepaid stay far out in 2026 and still use this credit so long as you book before Dec. 31.
$200 ‘Splurge' Credit
Every calendar year, you can get up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
Importantly, you must activate your “Splurge” merchants beforehand. Considering this is a travel card, many people will have no problem at all spending $200 per year with American Airlines. If all else fails, Best Buy and Live Nation are nice fallback options.
Again, this one expires Dec. 31. If you don't use it before 2025 ends, you'll lose it.
$100 Blacklane Credit
Every calendar year, you can earn up to $200 in statement credits when you book with Blacklane, a premium global chauffeur service. That's split into two chunks: One $100 credit from January through June and up to $100 from July through December.
That means you've got $100 on the table to use before the year is up.
Bottom Line
The sheer number of credits and perks you get with travel rewards cards can be overwhelming, and it's easy to lose track of all the different ways you can save.
Whether it's ordering in with Uber Eats or booking a five-star hotel for you and your loved ones, scan through this list to see if there are any perks on your card you haven't used up yet, and start plotting how you're going to take advantage of them before the end of the year.
