Year-end clean up: Get your annual benefits before it's too late (2024)

All Information about American Express Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by MileMoa. Issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.

Happy Thanksgiving, how's everyone doing? 

After Black Friday this week, and Cyber Monday next week, we're in full holiday spirit.

I'm the kind of person who forgets things, so I hit the ground after leaving the bus and regret it. A reminder about credit card annual credit.

If you have any credits that you need to take before 2024, I'd suggest that you don't procrastinate and take care of them as soon as you see this, because if you get past mid-December, it's too late ;);

Before we get started, a quick reminder.

Promotion to earn 40% bonus miles when you convert Chase UR points to Virgin Atlantic miles runs through November 30this.

Virgin Miles are a great value for Korean Air economy, ANA business/first class, and U.S. mainland-Europe flights, so I think it's a good idea to accumulate as many as you need during the promotion.

However, Virgin has been known to increase the mileage deduction without warning, so I don't think it's a good idea to transfer several years' worth of miles ahead of time. I'd recommend only transferring enough to cover the 1-2 year period.  

So, let's get started with today's post.

1. Annual credit heyday

Many of today's high-end cards with annual fees of $395, $450, or $650 include an annual credit.

They come in a variety of names, including annual travel credit, airline fee credit, and annual $250 air travel credit, but the basic idea is the same. The idea is that you get a certain amount of money back in the form of credit when you fulfill certain conditions, such as buying a ticket, paying airline fees, or booking a hotel through a booking portal.

The problem is, all of these annual credits are named annual, but they all have different definitions of annual.

2. Definition of Annual 

There are three broad definitions of Annual.

  • membership year
  • calendar year
  • 1 year based on December billing
1) annual = membership year 

First, there are cards that define annual as the membership year. They define annual by counting 12 months from the date you get the credit card.

  • For example, the $300 off annual travel credit coupon for Capital One's Venture X card is based on the year of membership.
  • If you also applied for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® after May 21, 2017, your membership year will be set to annual.
  • Similarly, the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is based on the year of membership.

In this case, you don't necessarily have to wait until the end of the year to find and eat the credit, unless you created the card near the end of the year.

2) annual = calendar year

The second usage is when annual and calendar year are used interchangeably, i.e., January 1 through December 31 of each year is considered annual.

Examples include the Chase Ritz Carlton card, Bank of America's Premium Rewards card, and the Amex card's airline fee credit.

If you have any of these cards, you'll want to make sure that you use up any applicable credit before the end of the year. 

Let's dig a little deeper.

(1) $300 Ritz Card

For the Ritz Carlton card, which is currently unavailable, it says you can get "$300 annual travel credit", where annual is December 31st as of the date of the card spend post.

In the case of Ritz Carlton, it's not automatic, you have to call and request it, and the eligible items are limited to airline lounge day passes, a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; and in-flight meals, but they seem to be pretty flexible, including reimbursing the fuel surcharge portion of business mile tickets.

(2) Bank of America, Premium Rewards card 

For this card, you can earn up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits each year, which resets at the end of each year.

Pay for seat upgrades, baggage, inflight services, lounge access, and more with your card and get reimbursed automatically afterward.

It's important to note that this only applies to domestic flights on U.S. airlines, not international airlines or low-cost carriers (such as Spirit Airlines).

(3) Amex airline fee credit

The Amex Airline Fee Credit is a benefit for the Personal Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card, and both Personal and Business cards can earn up to $200 back in a calendar year.

Airline fee credits on Amex cards work like this: you pick a specific airline, and then any incidental charges you make with that airline are automatically credited back to your card account.

Based on the transaction posting date, it is believed that if the redemption is posted to your Amex account by the end of December, it will be recognized as a credit for the year, but sometimes it can take a long time for the redemption to change from pending to posted. Make an eligible purchase in advance(I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Violet again for keeping the Amex CREDIT thread alive).

(4) Amex Flight Credit 

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card)changed the rules a bit late last year.

Previously, it was $250 on a calendar year basis, and in 2024, it will be $50 per quarter, up to a maximum of $200 per calendar year.

It's Q4 now, so you're supposed to get $50 for Q4. I guess you could say it's gotten more annoying overall ;);

(5) Amex Hilton Statement Credit 

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card)recently got a new benefit.

You'll get $50 back in statement credit every quarter for spending at Hilton-affiliated hotels.

If you haven't claimed your $50 Q4 credit yet, we encourage you to do so.

Hilton Surpass Card
Basic features130,000 points as a welcome bonus after spending $3,000 in 6 months
Annual fee is $150 for the first year
Earn $50 back every quarter, up to $200 a year, when you spend at Hilton-affiliated hotels
Earn Hilton Gold status just by having the card (F&B credit at most Hilton hotels)
Get one free night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
For more infoAbout page in English

 

The Amex Personal Flat and Business Flat have additional benefits beyond airline credit, and these benefits are also calendar year-based. 

(1) Saks Credit (Amex Personal Flat) 

First, for the Amex Personal Flat Card, you'll get two $50 Saks credits, one in the first half of the year (1/1-6/30) and one in the second half of the year (7/1-12/31).

To get this, you'll first need to log in to the Amex site, find the benefits tab, and sign up. It can take a while to shop and receive your rewards, so it's best to do it now.

Saks used to have a pretty reasonable threshold for free shipping, around $100, but now it's $300 ;; things are getting tighter.

(2) $200 FHR (Amex Personal Flat)

For the Amex Personal Flat Card, you can get a hotel booking credit of up to $200 once per year.

Not all hotel bookings are eligible. Applies to bookings of 1 night or more for Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) or 2 nights or more for The Hotel Collection.

Don't forget that the reservation must be prepaid to receive credit. (A separate registration process is not required).

If you are unable to stay in December, we understand that you can reschedule your stay for next year and still receive the credit. However, if you cancel after 2025, you may lose the $200 credit you've already received, or it may be offset against your 2025 credit, so I'd be careful about that.

(3) $200 each for the first half and second half of Dell (Amex Business Flat)

The Amex Business Flat Card offers a $200 credit toward Dell spending in the first half of the year and $200 in the second half of the year, up to a maximum of $400.

Similar to the personal card, you pre-register on the Amex site and then when you make a purchase on Dell.com, you get up to $200 back in the first half of the year and $200 in the second half of the year.

It's very easy to use, as long as it has Dell.com on it, you're automatically credited for the amount you spend.

However, I also have a pair of Bose headphones, so while it wasn't a challenge to come up with a $200 purchase, it's become quite a chore to pick out what I need.

There are still some great deals to be had, like the PlayStation 5, so it's worth checking out before the holiday rush to make sure you get what you need.

One more thing.

To get Dell credit, all you have to do is use your Amex Business Flat Card on Dell's site - there are no restrictions like having to use a specific link.

That's why you should also check out the many Amex offers that come with the Amex Flat Card.

Above all, don't forget to go through cashback sites. Bluff, there are a lot of Cyber Monday deals out there these days, for example, the Pretty salty cashback for Rakutenso it seems like you should be able to take advantage of that as well.

3) annual = from the December invoice date to the following December invoice date

The last one is for those who created a Sari card in August 2016 and still have it, and for those who have the City Prestige card.

These two cards use the term annual, but are based on earlier start and end dates rather than the calendar year.

First of all, for Sari cards applied for before May 21, 2017, the terms and conditions say

"For applications submitted before May 21, 2017, annual means the year beginning with your account open date through the first December statement date of that same year, and the 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement date through the following December statement date each year."

To translate, the first annual is from the time the card is issued until the December bill, and then the next annual is until the December bill the following year, and so on.

That is, if you created the card in March 2017,

  • You can receive one payment totaling $300 from March 2017 to the time of your December 2017 bill,
  • For the 12-month period from the December 2017 invoice to the December 2018 invoice, you once again receive $300,
  • Again, this becomes a loop, meaning that you get $300 for the 12-month period between the December 2023 bill and the December 2024 bill.

However, Here's what you need to know about December billingIt doesn't come out on December 31st. It's different for everyone. If your card bill comes out on the 17th of the month, then your annual is up to December 17th, when your bill comes out.

So if you redeem a travel expense on December 20, after your December bill, even if it's for 2024, it will be deducted from your $300 travel credit for 2025, not 2024. So you could end up with a situation where you don't even get the $300 in 2024.

The same is true for the Citi Prestige card.

Card termsin the ,

"This statement credit is an annual benefit available for purchases appearing on your billing statements from December through the following December. Pending transactions that do not post in your December billing cycle will count towards the next year's Air Travel Credit."

in the documentation.

The key here is that any amount not reflected on the December bill will roll over to the following year's Air Travel Credit.

So, if you haven't used your $250 yet, it's a good idea to check your December bill and make up the difference in November, if possible.

3. organize by card

To recap the above, here's a breakdown by card.

1) Sari cards issued before May 21, 2017

  • As of the December invoice, the annual
  • 300 travel credit - covers a wide range of travel items, including airfare, hotels, etc.
  • How you're automatically credited for that spend

2) Sari cards issued on or after May 21, 2017

  • By card membership year
  • The Sari Card charges an annual fee on the 1st of the month after the card is opened and the statement date is approximately one month after the card is opened. The $300 travel credit in the second year resets on the 13th statement. For example, if you opened the card in November 2022, it will reset on your December 2023 statement date.
  • 300 travel credit - covers a wide range of travel items, including airfare, hotels, etc.
  • How you're automatically credited for that spend

3) Sharp Card 

  • By card membership year
  • $$50 hotel credit
  • Only for bookings made using the card on Chase Travel, Chase's own travel portal

4) Amex Card AIRLINE FEE CREDIT: Flat Card (Personal, Business Common) 

  • Based on calendar year (the posting date of the amount spent)
  • 200 for private flats and $200 for business flats. The rule only applies to incidental charges, such as luggage fees, in-flight internet, etc.
  • Pre-specify one specific airline and use it
  • How the airline will automatically credit you for that spend
  • Before you specify an airline Violet's must-read posts to keep you organized

5) Amex personal flat Saks, personal flat $200 hotel credit, Amex business card Dell

  • Based on calendar year (the posting date of the amount spent)
  • The Saks department store credit for your personal flat can be split into two halves of the year, $50 for the first half and $50 for the second half. Shop now to claim your $50 for the second half of 2023!
  • Receive up to $200 in statement credit once per year for prepaid bookings at FHR hotels (minimum 1 night) or The Hotel Collection (minimum 2 nights) with your personal flat card.
  • In the case of the Dell credit for business flats, you can split the year into two halves, $200 for the first half and $200 for the second half, for a total of $400.

6) Amex Hilton Surpass

  • Quarterly (each calendar quarter) Amount spent as of posting date
  • When using the Card directly at Hilton-affiliated hotels. For both hotel stays and incidental charges.

7) City Prestige Card

  • annual based on December billing
  • 250 travel credit: Only travel items need to be eligible. For example: (travel category, including purchases from airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel agencies/travel aggregators/tour operators, commuter transportation, ferries, commuter railways, subways, taxis/limousines/car services, passenger railways, cruise lines, bridge and road tolls, parking lots/garages, and bus lines)
  • How you're automatically credited for that spend

8) The Ritz-Carlton Card

  • Based on calendar year (the posting date of the amount spent)
  • 300 airline fee credit - rule is only incidental charges for sending luggage, seat upgrade fees, lounge passes, in-flight internet, and in-flight internet
  • Calling or sending a secure message to your card company to request a credit after you spend the item.

9) Bank of America, $100 credit for Premium Rewards Card

  • Based on calendar year
  • 100 airline fee credit - terms and conditions state that this covers seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees
  • CREDIT is known to come in automatically after spending on that item

10) Capital One, Venture X Card, $300 travel credit (in the form of a coupon for up to $300 off) 

  • By membership year
  • Hotels, airline tickets, etc. booked through Capital One's own travel portal

Let's wrap up today's post.

It's safe to say that reading the terms of an offer carefully is where the magic begins and ends.

If you have an annual credit due, it's best to take care of it sooner rather than later, if possible.

Have a great week.

Featured image by lukpedclub.gmail.com@depositphotos (215084280)

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16 Comments. Leave new

  • Thanks for the annual reminder. Are you having a happy Thanksgiving?
    Saks, airlines, it's a lot to take in.
    I've used Virgin miles to book Korean Air economy, but I didn't know they were good for ANA business/first class and US mainland to Europe. I'd like to try business/first class, but have you posted anything about it? I'm going to transfer how many miles I need and try to do it next year.
    I'd love to go to Europe, too.

    We hope you're always healthy and happy.

    Reply
  • Hi, I'm writing to say that I've missed the membership period for a couple of years now, and I'm determined to do it this time. Please let me know when the time comes to join. Thank you.

    Reply
  • If you're looking to use your Amex Plat Saks credit, you'd better hurry.
    I placed an order for Enga in mid-June, but the shipping kept getting delayed and I didn't receive it until early July.
    When I did, I realized that my Amex account had the Saks spend date pended to the date I placed the order,
    Shortly after it was shipped, it changed to a few days in July... (presumably the shipping date...)
    Bottom line, so that order was counted as a second half. My money....blackblack

    Reply
    • Thanks for the good advice. The Amex coupon book thing is really annoying, but apparently the younger generation likes it again ;);

      Reply
  • I often forget, thanks for reminding me.
    I missed getting my hilton stay credit last quarter.

    Isn't the message board for members only? How do I become a member?
    From what you wrote above, it looks like there is a signup period, let me know.

    Reply
  • Music festivals
    December 10, 2024 6:52 am

    I have a US Bank card with a $450 annual fee and a $200 travel credit. This is a membership year, so there's no rush... just as a reminder...

    Reply
  • I have a question.
    What exactly are Amex airline fee credits used for? Hotel credit $200 can be used like credit(point) while booking a hotel... Airline fee credit can't be used for airline ticket booking or upgrade... So I don't understand how it is used. ^^;

    Reply
  • Thanks for the great information as always. Please add me to your email list.

    Thank you.

    Reply

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