If you’ve ever discovered an expired $200 credit in January 2026 and wanted to scream into your pillow….this post is your sign to stop donating money to the banks. Because like it or not, we are on a clock. And your statement credits? A lot of them are “calendar year”, not “whenever-I-feel-like-it” year.
Calendar Year vs. Cardmember Year (The Part Everyone Skips….Then Regrets)
Most of the juicy credits below are:
- Renew by calendar year: reset on January 1. If you don’t use them by December 31, they expire. No cash back and no rollover.
- Renew by account membership year: reset based on your card anniversary.
Some cards even use both systems at the same time. The classic example is Amex Hilton Honors Aspire. Their free night certificate is based on card anniversary year; while the airline and resort statement credits is based on calendar year.
This post focuses on the calendar-year-based credits so you can clear them out from NOW (by the time this article is published on November 25) before they vanish on the end of December 31.
How To Use This Post (Read This Before You Start)
This is NOT a list you read top to bottom. It’s a cheat sheet you skim.
Here’s how to make this easy:
- Step 1 : Scroll to the banks/cards you actually have
Ignore everything else. Permission granted.
- Step 2 : Take notes on JUST those credits
Keep it simple.
- Step 3 : After each issuer section, look for the “Fast Wins” reset
I’ve added a short, calming “Just use ONE credit today” guide so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Step 4 : At the end, you’ll get the complete 1-Sentence Instructions Guide
This turns everything below into easy wins you can do from the couch.
American Express: The Drama Queen Of Credits (In A Good Way)
Let’s start with Amex, because….there’s a lot going on here.
Amex Platinum
“Usable” calendar-year credits, not counting Equinox / Walmart+ / CLEAR Plus: over $1,100 in value.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $50 Uber Cash ($15 for November & $35 for December)
- $50 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
- $300 Hotel Credit For Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) & The Hotel Collection (THC) via Amex Travel
- $50 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 each for November & December)
- $100 Resy Restaurant Credits
- $75 Lululemon Credit
- $200 Oura Ring Credit
- $120 Uber One Membership Rebate
If you hold this card and don’t use your credits… that annual fee hurts a lot more than it needs to.
- Further Reading: The Truth About the $895 Amex Platinum (From a Family Who Keeps It)
Amex Business Platinum
“Usable” credits (calendar year), not counting Indeed / Adobe / CLEAR Plus: over $720.
- $150 Dell Credit
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $20 Wireless Credits ($10 each for November & December)
- $50 Hilton Credit
- $300 Hotel Credit (FHR & THC via Amex Travel)
Amex Gold
“Usable” credits (calendar year): over $100.
- $20 Uber Cash ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Dining Credit ($10 for November & December at select partner restaurants / merchants)
- $14 Dunkin’ Credit ($7 for November & December)
- $50 Resy Restaurant Credits
Amex Business Gold
Not counting Walmart+ credit.
- $40 Flexible Business Credit ($20 for November & December): This is usable at FedEx, Grubhub and office supply stores (e.g., Staples and Office Depot).
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire
Not counting CLEAR Plus credit.
- $50 Airline Credit (any airline)
- $200 Hilton Resort Credit
- Remember: the airline and resort credits are calendar-year based, while the free night certificate is based on card anniversary.
Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- $50 Dining Credit ($25 for November & December)
Amex Delta Air Lines Personal & Business Co-Branded Credit Cards
All these Delta Air Lines co-branded credits below are calendar-year based.
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
$100 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
$20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Business
- $150 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
- $20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum
- $150 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
- $20 Ride Share Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Resy Restaurant Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business
- $200 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
- $20 Ride Share Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Resy Restaurant Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- $200 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
- $20 Ride Share Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $40 Resy Restaurant Credit ($20 for November & December)
- $20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
- $250 Prepaid Hotel Booking via Delta.com
- $20 Ride Share Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $40 Resy Restaurant Credit ($20 for November & December)
- $20 Uber One Credit ($10 for November & December)
Citi: Quiet But Deadly (In A Good, Credit Way)
These Citi credits are also based on calendar year:
Citi Strata Elite
- $300 Hotel Credits booked through Citi Travel portal
- $200 Splurge Credit (Eligible for American Airlines, Best Buy and other select merchants)
- $200 Blacklane Credit
Citi / AAdvantage Executive
- $120 Car Rental Credit
- $20 Grubhub Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $20 Lyft Credit ($10 and $10 after the 3rd ride)
Chase: The “Hyatt Or Bust” Ecosystem
Now for Chase, where a lot of family-travel magic happens especially if you’re Hyatt-obsessed.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
“Usable” credits (calendar year) over $1,100 (even not counting DoorDash).
- $300 Travel Credit
- $300 Dining Credit
- $20 Lyft Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $500 Hotel Credit via The Edit by Chase Travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve Business
“Usable” credits (calendar year) over $1,000 (not counting DoorDash & ZipRecruiter).
- $300 Travel Credit
- $300 Dining Credit
- $20 Lyft Credit ($10 for November & December)
- $500 Hotel Credit via The Edit by Chase Travel
- $200 Google Workspace Credit
- $50 GiftCards.com Credit
Chase World of Hyatt Business
- $50 Hyatt Credit
Chase United Airlines Personal & Business Co-Branded Credit Cards
All of the following United credits are calendar-year-based:
Chase United Explorer
- $10 Ride Share Credit ($5 for November & December)
- $20 Instacart Credit ($10 for November & December)
Chase United Quest
- $20 Ride Share Credit ($8 for November & $12 for December)
- $30 Instacart Credit ($15 for November & December)
Chase United Club
- $30 Ride Share Credit ($12 for November & $18 for December)
- $40 Instacart Credit ($20 for November & December)
Chase United Business
- $30 Ride Share Credit ($12 for November & $18 for December)
- $10 Instacart Credit ($10 for November & December)
Before You Get Overwhelmed, Start With ONE Fast Win (Do This Now)
I know that list above was A LOT. And yes, it’s normal to feel like your brain just booked a 6-segment award itinerary by accident. So before you mentally check out, here’s the easiest way to reset:
Focus on “Fast Reset Wins” and Choose ONE first.
Your Year-End Action Plan
If your brain feels like a fully booked award calendar right now, that’s normal. But remember: information isn’t the goal. Action is. So let’s keep this very simple and actionable:
Step 1: Pick ONE card today
- Amex, Citi or Chase. Just one.
Step 2: Log in and identify all calendar-year credits on your cards
- Use the list above as your cheat sheet.
Step 3: Use at least ONE credit today
Yes, start TODAY. Not the whole list but with one. Starting small beats staying stuck-y! Something like:
- Book a prepaid hotel
- Order from Instacart
- Grab that rideshare
- Apply the Blacklane credit to this winter travel
- Top up your Uber or dining credits
Don’t wait for “later.” “Later” is how we let $300 travel credits die quietly in the fine print.
Final Thought
You don’t need a perfect system, you just need one small win this month. Every credit you use in November and December is money back in your pocket and one less “ugh, I missed it” moment in January. Think of this as clearing mental space, not doing chores. Use one fast win now, line up a few more for December, and let that momentum carry you through year-end. Your points, your credits, your peace of mind, they all work better when you take the tiniest first step. You’ve got this.
Bonus: 1-Sentence Instructions Guide
If you want something even simpler, something you can do while standing in line at pickup, or while reheating leftovers, here’s your fastest, zero-brain-power credits to use today. These are your “don’t-think-just-do-it” credits and using even one will save you money today. Use these from your couch, right now!
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Maria Fung is the voice behind Maria Points The Way. She helps Asian American families turn points and miles into unforgettable Business and First Class trips to Asia-Pacific. By simplifying loyalty program rules and guiding them through her proven 4-Stage System, she transforms travel from overwhelming to effortless—so families spend less time stressing and more time making meaningful memories together. Visit mariapointstheway.com to learn more.
