While all travel credit cards have their own set of perks, several cards offer an annual travel credit that can be used for airline incidentals, seat upgrades and in-flight meals or Wi-Fi.
Some even offer a travel credit based on the cardmember year while others dole out credits based on the calendar year. Generally speaking, you need to make purchases that use up your credit before December 31 for them to count.
If you have a card that offers credits based on the calendar year, that means the time to use them is running out.
If yours offers a travel credit and you're unsure whether it is based on the calendar year, the best thing you can do is read your card's terms and conditions to find out. For simplicity's sake, here are the main rewards credit cards that offer annual credits that are redeemable between January 1 and December 31 each year:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express offers a wide range of benefits that include an annual Uber credit, airport lounge access and more. It also offers a $200 annual airline credit that is based on the calendar year.
This credit is good for checked bags, in-flight meals and onboard purchases made with an airline you select ahead of time and must be used by the end of the year before it resets.
UBS Visa Infinite Card
The UBS Visa Infinite card offers serious travel perks like Priority Pass airport lounge membership, 12 in-flight internet passes with Gogo and more. You also get a $250 airline credit that is good for seat upgrades, checked bags and in-flight purchases.
Like the others on this list, this credit must be used before the year is up.
Ritz Carlton Credit Card
While the Ritz Carlton Credit Card is a hotel credit card at heart, it still offers some pretty good benefits for frequent travelers. One of those benefits is a $300 annual airline credit that is good for seat upgrades, in-flight purchases, checked baggage and more. Since this credit is based on the calendar year, you'll lose all or some of it if you don't maximize it by December 31.
Citi Prestige
The Citi Prestige is a premier travel card that offers all sorts of benefits starting with your fourth night free on select hotel bookings. This card also offers airport lounge access, a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and a $250 air travel credit. The air travel credit is good for seat upgrades, checked bags and in-flight purchases but must be used before the end of the year.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
