Applying for a Credit Card in November/December: A Smart Strategy
- Points By J
- Nov 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 16
Why is it smart to apply for certain credit cards in November/December?
Credit cards that offer benefits and credits are usually based on either the calendar year or the cardmember year (begins on the account open date).
Applying for a credit card in November/December is a smart move for any card that offers calendar year perks. That way, you can use the benefits for the current year. Then, the benefits re-set in January.
If you already have one of these cards, then use this list as your year-end check list to confirm you've maximized your benefits.
If you're considering opening a card with calendar year-based benefits, this post outlines all the available credits so you can find one that's a good fit. The card links are my affiliate referral links (so, if you choose to apply through them, it supports my small business and doesn't cost you anything extra).
Cards that are available for application in November/December 2025 that offer calendar-year benefits:
ANNUAL
Up to $200 for airline fees*
Up to $209 for a Clear Plus membership*
SEMI-ANNUAL
Up to a $600 statement credit ($300 semi-annually) for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express travel (note: The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay)*
Up to $50 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits, available twice each year (one $50 credit for purchases between January and June; a second $50 credit available between July and December)*
QUARTERLY
Up to $100 in statement credits for Resy each quarter*
Up to $75 back in statement credits for lululemon each quarter - for eligible purchases at U.S. retail lululemon stores (excluding outlets) or lululemon.com
MONTHLY
$15 monthly Uber Cash credit, and a special $35 Uber Cash credit in December - remember this can be used on U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats!*
Monthly statement credit for Walmart+ (which includes Paramount + subscription!)*
Annual fee for this card: $895 (see rates and fees)
ANNUAL
The Hotel Collection Credit: Up to a $100 credit towards eligible charges** with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com.
SEMI-ANNUAL
Get up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually after you pay with the Amex Gold to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants*
MONTHLY
Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the Amex Gold at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.*
$10 Uber Credit: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Point caps and terms apply.
Up to $10 monthly dining credit for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys
Annual fee: $325 (rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
ANNUAL
Up to $200 for airline fees*
Up to $209 for a Clear Plus membership*
Up to $150 for Dell Technologies*
Up to $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more with Adobe per calendar year*
SEMI-ANNUAL
Up to a $600 statement credit ($300 semi-annually) for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express travel (note: The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay)*
QUARTERLY
Up to $50 per quarter for Hilton purchases*
Up to $90 per quarter for Indeed purchases*
MONTHLY
Up to $10 per month in wireless credits*
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
SEMI-ANNUAL
Hotel Credits: Up to $250 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for prepaid bookings made with The Edit. Two-night minimum. Purchases that qualify will not earn points. Enjoy complimentary benefits like a $100 property credit, daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (if available) and more.
Dining Credits: Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants part of the Sapphire Exclusive Tables program on OpenTable.
StubHub credits: Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually for StubHub and viagogo purchases through 12/31/2027. Activation required.
MONTHLY
Lyft Credits: Get up to $10 in monthly in-app credits to use on rides through 9/30/2027. Plus, earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/2027.
DoorDash: Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. DashPass members get up to $25 each month to spend on DoorDash, which includes a $5 monthly promo to spend on restaurant orders and two $10 promos each month to save on groceries, retail orders, and more. Available through 12/31/2027.
Peloton: Get $10 in statement credits per month on eligible Peloton memberships through 12/31/2027, for a maximum of $120 annually. Activation required.
Annual fee: $795
SEMI-ANNUAL
Hotel Credits: Up to $250 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for prepaid bookings made with The Edit. Two-night minimum. Purchases that qualify will not earn points. Enjoy complimentary benefits like a $100 property credit, daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (if available) and more.
ZipRecruiter Credits: Earn up to $200 in statement credits January through June and up to $200 in statement credits July through December
Gift Card Credits: Earn up to $100 per year in statement credits when you purchase gift cards from a curated collection on giftcards.com/reservebusiness. You'll earn up to $50 in statement credits January through June and up to $50 July through December.
MONTHLY
Lyft Credits: Get up to $10 in monthly in-app credits to use on rides through 9/30/2027. Plus, earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/2027.
DoorDash: Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. DashPass members get up to $25 each month to spend on DoorDash, which includes a $5 monthly promo to spend on restaurant orders and two $10 promos each month to save on groceries, retail orders, and more. Available through 12/31/2027.
Annual fee: $795
Receive up to $50 United® TravelBank Cash each calendar year after registering your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card with your MileagePlus® account.
Annual fee: $99
Up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton on your Hilton Amex Aspire
Annual fee: $550 (rates and fees)
Up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton on your Hilton Amex Surpass
Annual fee: $150 (rates and fees)
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with Hilton on your Hilton Amex Business
Annual fee: $195 (rates and fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Up to $25 statement credit per month for dining*
Up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card*
Annual fee: $650 (rates and fees)
$100 annual hotel credit excluding taxes and fees, through cititravel.com, once per calendar year
Annual fee: $95
Up to $300 off a hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com, once per calendar year
Earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to 2 of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply)
Up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December
4 American Airlines Admirals Club lounge access passes
Annual fee: $595
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
Up to $100 statement credit for airline incidental fees
Annual fee: $95
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card
Up to $300 statement credit for airline incidental fees
Up to $150 in statement credits for "lifestyle" charges (e.g., ride sharing, streaming services, fitness memberships)
Annual fee: $550
Cards with annual calendar benefits that are no longer available to new applicants:
Citi Prestige® Card
Up to $250 in statement credits for travel purchases annually
No longer accepting new applicants
*Each Benefit requires enrollment via their website, terms apply to American Express Benefits and offers. visit americanexpress.com to learn more. **Eligible charges vary by property.
Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.