How to Get the Most Value From Your Credit Card Benefits

As we approach the end of 2025, it's time for a benefits audit. The annual fees on many cards have gone up in the past year, and while many offer comparatively large value in return, it’s only worth it if you use the benefits and credits that come with your card. 

Don’t be one of the cardholders leaving hundreds or thousands of dollars in perks unused. With many credits resetting on December 31st, now's the moment to squeeze every dollar from your credit cards. But don’t wait until the last minute, as most credits require the transaction to post to your card before the deadline, which can take a few days from the date of purchase.

Here’s how to maximize your card benefits and get every dollar of value before the end of the year. 

1. Create a benefits inventory 

Set aside 30 minutes to audit every card in your wallet. List out all annual credits, their amounts, and their reset dates. Many benefits operate on calendar years or quarters, but some follow your card anniversary or statement cycles.

Common credits to check:

• Airline fee credits ($200-$300/year on premium travel cards)

• Streaming service credits (monthly, typically $10-$20)

• Dining credits (quarterly or monthly)

• Hotel credits (bi-annual, often $200-$300)

• Ride-share or transit credits (monthly)

• Brand shopping credits (e.g. Lululemon, Oura, etc)

• Clear/TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursements

Don’t assume all benefits run from January to December. Some premium cards use account anniversary dates, meaning one year from the date you originally got the card, which might mean your’s ends in March or July. Check your cardmember agreement or call the number on the back of your card.

2. Set up automated tracking

Use technology to remind you before benefits expire. Create recurring calendar reminders for each credit 2-3 weeks before they reset. TIP: Some benefits require you to activate the card before you’re eligible for the credit! 

You could create a simple tracker with columns for card name, benefit type, amount, reset date, and amount used, or check your bank apps; many issuers now show benefit usage directly in their mobile apps (check your "Benefits" or "Rewards" tab).

3. Know the fine print on "airline fee" credits

These $200-$300 annual benefits are among the most commonly wasted because the definition of "airline fees" has narrowed considerably. Ticket purchases, airline gift cards, and miles purchases typically don’t qualify, but seat selection fees, checked bag fees, in-flight food and wifi purchases, and award ticket fees do. 

If you haven't used your airline credit, book a flight that includes a paid seat selection or check your upcoming trips to add paid bags or seats before December 31st.

4. Use it or lose it

Many benefits simply vanish at year-end with no rollover. Here's your action plan to use them up:

• Streaming credits: If you have unused monthly credits, they might cover services you're already paying for out of pocket (Hulu, Spotify, Peacock, etc.)

• Statement credits: Some cards offer monthly Uber, Walmart+, or other recurring credits — make sure you're enrolled

• Purchase protection: Planning year-end shopping? Use cards with extended warranty or purchase protection for big-ticket items

If you're sitting on significant unused credits across multiple cards, consider whether it's time to downgrade or cancel cards whose benefits you're not using. The $550-$895 annual fees on premium cards only make sense if you're extracting value.

The difference between casual cardholders and savvy users often comes down to systems. Spend an hour now setting up tracking, and you'll consistently extract hundreds or thousands more in value each year.