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Many credit cards offer valuable perks—ranging from travel credits to bonus rewards—that refresh annually. However, if you’re not aware of the reset schedule, you could be leaving hundreds of dollars’ worth of benefits on the table.
This guide breaks down the most common credit card perks that reset each calendar year, so you can plan accordingly and make the most of your rewards before they expire.
🔁 Section 1: Annual Statement Credits That Refresh Each Calendar Year
Statement credits are among the most popular credit card perks, particularly with premium travel cards. These credits typically reset on January 1st every year, regardless of when you opened the card.
✨ American Express Cards
The Platinum Card®
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Airline Fee Credit: Receive up to $200 per year for incidental fees on one selected airline.
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Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 per year for stays booked through Amex Travel (Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection).
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CLEAR® Plus Membership Credit: Up to $189 annually for CLEAR membership.
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Saks Fifth Avenue Credit: $50 twice a year (available Jan–Jun and Jul–Dec).
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Equinox Credit: Up to $300 annually for eligible fitness memberships.
American Express® Gold Card
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Dining Credit: Earn up to $120 per year ($10 per month) at select restaurants and food delivery services.
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Resy Dining Benefit: $50 credits issued twice annually—once in the first half of the year and again in the second half.
American Express® Green Card
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LoungeBuddy Credit: Get $100 per year for lounge access.
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CLEAR Credit: Reimburses up to $189 annually.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card
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Airfare Credit: Up to $200 per year, split into $50 per quarter.
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Resort Statement Credit: Up to $400 annually, divided into $200 for each half of the year.
Hilton Honors Surpass® Card
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Quarterly Hilton Credit: $50 per quarter when booking directly with Hilton.
Delta SkyMiles® Cards from Amex
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Depending on the version (Gold, Platinum, or Reserve), you may receive:
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Flight Credits (e.g., up to $200 after meeting annual spending thresholds).
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Hotel Stay or Rideshare Credits (available on select cards).
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🏦 Citi Cards
Citi Prestige® (discontinued for new applicants)
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Annual Travel Credit: $250 statement credit for eligible travel purchases each calendar year.
Citi Rewards+®
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Point Rebate: Get 10% of your redeemed ThankYou Points back on up to 100,000 points annually.
🏨 Hotel-Branded Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card
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Dining Credit: $25 per month (up to $300 annually).
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Free Night Certificate: Provided each year after renewal.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
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Free Night Award: Issued every year on your account anniversary.
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TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit: Reimbursed once every 4–5 years, but tracked on a calendar-year cycle.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
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Annual Free Night: Given on your card anniversary.
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Bonus Night: Earn an additional free night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
💼 Capital One Venture X
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$300 Travel Credit: Applies to purchases made through Capital One Travel, refreshed every January.
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10,000 Bonus Miles: Granted each year on your card anniversary (not tied to the calendar year).
📈 Section 2: Rewards Categories with Annual Earning Caps
Some credit cards offer boosted rewards in certain spending categories, but only up to a set amount each year. These limits reset on January 1st.
| Card | Earning Cap | Bonus Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Blue Business Plus | $50,000/year | 2× Membership Rewards |
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred | $6,000/year | 6% at U.S. supermarkets |
| Amex Everyday Preferred | $6,000/year | 3× at supermarkets |
| Amex Business Gold | $150,000/year | 4× in top 2 spend categories |
Be sure to track your progress toward these caps throughout the year, especially if you use multiple cards for everyday spending.
✈️ Section 3: Travel Benefits That Reset Each Calendar Year
In addition to statement credits, some credit cards offer annual travel perks, such as companion certificates and free hotel nights. Most of these perks reset once per calendar year.
Companion Tickets & Travel Credits
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British Airways Visa Signature® – Earn a Travel Together Ticket after spending $30,000 within a calendar year.
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Delta Reserve® Amex – Receive a Companion Certificate annually upon card renewal.
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Alaska Airlines Visa® – Annual Companion Fare issued each year after account anniversary.
Hotel Certificates & Elite Credits
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Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton cards typically offer free night certificates after renewal or spending thresholds. These are based on either the calendar year or your account anniversary.
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Some Marriott Bonvoy cards also provide elite night credits each year to help you achieve or maintain status.
👥 Section 4: Referral Bonuses That Reset Yearly
Most major issuers allow cardholders to refer friends and earn bonuses. These referral bonuses typically come with an annual cap that resets every calendar year.
Examples:
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Amex Refer a Friend: Capped around 55,000–100,000 points annually, depending on the card.
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Chase Refer a Friend: Limits vary but often range from $500–$1,000 in referral bonuses per year.
If you plan to refer people, try to do it early in the year to maximize your annual allotment.
🧭 Section 5: Know the Difference – Calendar Year vs. Anniversary Year
Understanding when your benefits reset is crucial. Not all perks follow the same schedule:
Calendar Year Reset
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Most statement credits and bonus category caps reset on January 1.
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This includes perks like airline fee credits, travel credits, dining credits, and more.
Anniversary Year Reset
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Anniversary-based perks (like free night awards or companion tickets) reset based on your card open date.
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You'll find this with cards like the World of Hyatt, IHG Premier, or Alaska Airlines Visa.
Pro Tip: Check your card benefits guide or online account to see whether a perk is tied to the calendar year or card anniversary.
🛠️ Section 6: Tips for Maximizing Year-End Credit Card Benefits
To ensure you don’t waste valuable perks, follow these strategies:
Set Calendar Alerts
Schedule reminders for key dates (e.g., December 15) so you don’t forget to use your credits.-
Review Your Card Dashboard
Log in to your card issuer’s app or website to track remaining credits and referral bonuses. -
Stack Credits with Other Offers
Combine statement credits with Amex Offers or merchant promos for additional savings. -
Don’t Forget Quarterly Credits
Use quarterly perks (e.g., $50 Hilton credit) within their respective 3-month periods.
✅ Final Thoughts
Your credit card benefits are only valuable if you actually use them. Many top-tier perks—from travel credits to bonus points and free nights—reset on January 1st each year. If you’re not paying attention, those benefits can quietly expire.
Now’s the time to review all your cards, take inventory of what’s left, and make a plan to use any outstanding perks before the year ends.
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