It’s nearing the end of 2016, and that means it’s time to make sure that you have used up all of your annual travel credits. Let me tell you, I haven’t yet, so it is time to get on that! Here are the cards that have annual travel credits as well as some notes on what counts for the credit.
- How much: $300
- What counts: Anything travel related. Car rentals, hotel stays, airline tickets, award fees, and more. The credit will be applied automatically to your account so you might not even have realized you were done with this!
- When to do it by: The December close date of your statement.
The Ritz Carlton Card
- How much: $300
- What counts: Officially, “Only the following types of non-ticket Net Purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees.” Unofficially, there have been reports of taxes and fees on award tickets, gift cards, upgrades, change fees, and inflight wifi purchases being covered. Your mileage may vary.
- When to do it by: The purchase must be made in 2016 to use your 2016 fee credit, but you have until four months after the purchase to ask for the reimbursement. This must be done manually through secure message or by calling 1-855-896-2222.
- How much: $250
- What counts: Officially, “Airline Fees are defined as purchases made with airlines including Air fares, baggage fees, lounge access and some in-flight purchases.” In practice, like with many other cards, airline gift card purchases will also count toward the Citi Prestige airline fee credit.
- When to do it by: By the end of your December billing cycle.
The Platinum Card from American Express and The Enhanced Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN
- How much: $200 (for each card)
- What counts: Officially, incidental travel expenses like checked bag fees, seat selection fees, drinks onboard the flight but only on your airline of choice! Unofficially, you may have luck purchasing Airline gift cards. A search on Flyertalk will give you full details. I, personally, have purchased American Airlines gift cards the past two years in $100 increments without issue.
- When to do it by: December 31.
- How much: $100
- What counts: The same things count as for the Platinum cards listed above. You also may have luck purchasing gift cards, but check Flyertalk for details on your airline of choice before you do.
- When to do it by: December 31.
Have you used your airline and travel fee credits yet this year?