If you have one or more of the following cards, make sure you have used all of your calendar year credits…if not, use them! This may mean purchasing travel in advance or buying extra bottles of wine on a flight. Regardless of what you do, it would be a shame to lose them, so don’t!
Cards with general annual year travel credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card-If you are like me and got this card before May 21, 2017, your annual travel statement credit is based on a calendar year. You automatically receive up to $300 in statement credits as reimbursement for travel-related purchases charged to your card. If you have not yet received this entire $300, consider purchasing some travel for 2019 this year.
Cards with annual year airline fee credits
American Express Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum Card-Every year, card members receive up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits when incidental fees, such as baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and beverage purchases, and airport lounge day passes, are charged by the airline to their Platinum card account. You need to choose a qualifying airline and can do so at any time. So if you have plans to fly in December, and haven’t used the credit yet, pick that airline when you choose.
American Express Gold Card-Similar to the Platinum card, every calendar year, card members receive up to $100 a year in statement credits when incidental fees, such as baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and beverage purchases, and airport lounge day passes, are charged by the airline to your Gold card account. As with the Platinum cards, you need to choose a qualifying airline and can do so at any time. So if you have plans to fly in December, and haven’t used the credit yet, pick that airline when you choose.
Citi Thank You Prestige Card-Every calendar year, card members receive a $250 credit for airline fees. This statement credit is an annual benefit available for purchases appearing on your billing statements from December through the following December. Citi defines airline fees as purchases made with airlines including Airfares (Amex does not include airfare!), baggage fees, lounge access and some in-flight purchases. Because it includes airfare, you can book a flight in advance and use this credit.
Bank Of America Premium Rewards Card-Get up to a $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit annually (calendar year) for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees. This credit is another one that needs to be used if you are flying before year end if you haven’t used it already.
Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card-Every year, card members receive a $300 credit to apply towards qualifying airline incidental fees. Unlike the cards above, the credit is not automatic here. You you must contact J.P. Morgan Priority Services at the number on the back of your Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card within 4 billing cycles of the purchase date. A Statement credit should post to your account within 5-7 business days of the call. The following types of purchases qualify for the credit: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees. Are you flying before 12/31?…try to use the credit for one or more of these fees.
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card-Receive a $75 Southwest annual travel statement credit when you use your card for purchases (excluding Upgraded Boardings and inflight purchases), up to an anniversary year maximum accumulation of $75. Buy flights in advance to use this credit!