Don’t Forget to Use Your Premium Credit Card Airline/Travel Credits Before the End of the Year

2017 is almost over, which means that besides getting ready for holiday trips and Black Friday sales, it’s time to make sure you’ve used any credit card perks that expire at the end of the year!

Many premium credit cards come with travel credits to help offset their annual fee, but each card works slightly differently. Here’s a quick rundown to help you make sure that you don’t leave any money on the table.

• American Express Platinum Charge Cards
  • (Personal and Business cards, including cobranded cards from Ameriprise, Charles Schwab, Mercedes-Benz, and Morgan Stanley)
  • Credit Amount: $200
  • Use By: December 31
  • Reimburses: Incidentals (baggage fees, onboard purchases, change fees, etc.)
  • Note: Only applies to your selected airline. You may be able to trigger a reimbursement for airline gift cards; see Flyertalk for more details.
• Citi Prestige MasterCard
  • Credit Amount: $250
  • Use By: date your December billing statement closes
  • Reimburses: Any airline purchase, including plane tickets.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Credit Amount: $300
  • Use By: date your December billing statement closes (if you applied before May 21, 2017) or the 12th statement after you opened the card (if you applied May 22, 2017 or later)
  • Reimburses: Any travel purchase, including plane tickets, public transportation, taxis and rideshare services.
• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card
  • Credit Amount: $100
  • Use By: December 31
  • Reimburses: Incidentals (baggage fees, onboard purchases, change fees, etc.)
  • Note: Only applies to your selected airline. You may be able to trigger a reimbursement for airline gift cards; see Flyertalk for more details.
• City National Bank
  • Credit Amount: $250
  • Use By: December 31
  • Reimburses: Incidentals (baggage fees, onboard purchases, change fees, etc.)
  • Note: Authorized users also receive $250 in travel credits. You may be able to trigger a reimbursement for airline gift cards; see Flyertalk for more details.
• Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Visa
  • Credit Amount: $300
  • Use By: December 31
  • Reimburses: Incidentals, including lounge access.
  • Note: This credit is not automatically applied – you must reach out to Chase by phone or secure message to have your statement credits applied. You may be able to get reimbursed for airline gift cards – see this Doctor of Credit post for more details.
• US Bank Altitude Reserve
  • Credit Amount: $325
  • Use By: the 12th statement after you opened the card
  • Reimburses: Any purchase from airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains, or cruise lines.
• Citi Expedia+ Voyager Card
  • Credit Amount: $100
  • Use By: December 31
  • Reimburses: Airline incidentals, including in-flight Wi-Fi.

I still need to use the travel credits for my Platinum Card from American Express and my Ritz-Carlton credit card. Have you used your travel credits yet this year?