Double & Triple Dip Card Credits
One of my favorite strategies in the points world is timing certain premium cards so you can use their statement credits two or even three times before you ever pay a second annual fee.
If you apply toward the end of the year,
- you can tap into the credits right away (early to mid December)
- again throughout the full next year (anytime next year)
- and sometimes once more early the following year (early January of following year)
essentially getting two or three rounds of benefits for one annual fee
Timing is key
Many of these cards offer credits on an annual calendar basis. Here’s how to time this:
Early/Mid December 2025: Apply for card
By mid December 2025: Use the credits/benefits
January – December 2026: Use credits/benefits
Early January 2027: Use Credits benefits
When your annual fee hits in early/mid December, you’ll have THIRTY days to cancel your card if you don’t want to keep it. You’ll want to use those credits first thing in January and get that card canceled before the 30 days are up (if you don’t plan to keep it).
Which cards does this work best for?
We are focusing on cards that provide ANNUAL (calendar based) credits:
American Express Platinum Card®
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Some of this card’s annual credits and how to double dip them:
- $600 Hotel Credit – Up to $300 statement credit Jan – June AND July – Dec
Double dip potential value: $900 (use $300 in Dec 2025, $300 Jan – June 2026 AND $300 July – Dec 2026) (These dates refer to when you book, not when you actually stay.) - $200 Airline Fee Credit – Up to $200 statement credit per calendar year
Double dip potential value: $400 (use $200 in Dec 2025 and $200 in 2026) - Up to $209 CLEAR+ Statement Credit
Double dip potential value: $418 (use in Dec 2025 and renew Dec 2026) - $400 Resy Credit – Up to $100 statement credit every quarter
Double dip potential value: $500 (Use $100 in Dec 2025, $100 each quarter of 2026 - $300 lululemon Credit – Up to $75 statement credit every quarter
Potential Value: $375 (Use $75 in Dec 2025, $75 each quarter of 2026
Even though American Express Platinum Card® has an $895 annual fee (rates & fees), you might just be surprised how much you love the benefits & credits. I keep mine long term.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Some of this card’s annual credits and how to triple dip them:
- Up to $300 off a hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com
Book $300 stay Dec 2025, book $300 in 2026, book $300 early Jan 2027 (These dates refer to when you book, not when you actually stay.)
Potential value: $900 - 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
Use $200 stay Dec 2025, $200 in 2026, $200 early Jan 2027
Potential value: $600
Citi Strata Elite℠ has a $595 annual fee.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If you are looking for a card that won’t count against your 5/24 – this is the perfect option.
Some of this card’s annual credits and how to double dip them:
- $600 Hotel Credit – Up to $300 statement credit Jan – June AND July – Dec
Potential value: $900 (use $300 in Dec 2025, $300 Jan – June 2026 AND $300 July – Dec 2026) (These dates refer to when you book, not when you actually stay.) - $200 Airline Fee Credit – Up to $200 statement credit per calendar year
Potential value: $400 (use $200 in Dec 2025 and $200 in 2026) - Up to $209 CLEAR+ Statement Credit
Potential value: $418 (use in Dec 2025 and renew Dec 2026) - $200 Hilton Statement Credit — Up to $50 quarterly on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton
Potential value: $250 (Use $50 in Dec 2025 and $50 each quarter of 2026)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has $895 annual fee (rates & fees)
Welcome offers
One thing to keep in mind is all of these cards have excellent welcome offers. They all have transferable points. So these are cards I would absolutely recommend anyway. The double & triple dipping is truly the cherry on top!
