Pam
December is the best month to apply for a new credit card for several reasons. Let’s go over them!
Increased Spending
With all the spending for gifts, holiday meals, Christmas parties, travel to visit family, and so many other things, it is safe to say that most of us spend more money in December than most other months. Why not get rewarded for spending we already are going to do with some extra points and miles? Most welcome offers require meeting a spending threshold. December purchases on gifts, travel, food, and events help you reach it without much extra effort.
You can meet a large portion of a minimum spend on Christmas presents!
Travel Plans
Many people book flights, hotels, and trips for winter or early spring. Using a new card can unlock points earned from the welcome offers when you book those plans. It is also the perfect time to start planning those summer trips.
“Triple Dipping” Can Unlock Extra Value on Premium Cards
Some high-end cards offer annual travel credits or similar perks that reset every calendar year. When you open one in December, you may be able to use the credit right away, use it again in January when the year resets, and then use it once more after your first renewal period. This sequence is often called a “triple dip.” It gives you a strong jump in benefits during the first card membership cycle and can offset a large annual fee.
You could use the Fine Hotels + Resorts® credits to book the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
How Triple Dipping Works
Many premium cards use calendar-year credits. When a credit resets on January 1, the timing creates a narrow window where you can capture the benefit three times before the second annual fee posts.
Why this Matters
Things to keep in mind
This personal card remains one of the strongest choices. Several credits refresh on a fixed January schedule. For an in-depth discussion of this card’s many credits, check out our review. Since the credits don’t follow your account anniversary, the card works well when opened in December. You can use a cluster of benefits right away and then repeat the pattern in the new year.
This version mirrors the structure of the personal card we mentioned above, but targets business purchases. Credits tied to select benefits often follow the calendar year, not the cardholder anniversary year—be sure to check out our summary of the credits. If you open the card late in the year, you can take advantage of the same timing that makes the personal version attractive.
This card includes hotel and “splurge” credits that refresh on January 1. The structure is predictable and doesn’t depend on the date you opened the account. That makes the card a strong fit for a December application because you can stack the first set of credits with the next two resets.
This card relies on a mix of semiannual and quarterly credits. Because the credits are sliced into fixed blocks rather than tied to your anniversary, a late-year opening lets you use credits for the current year and then use two more blocks after the January reset.
I know that December is jam-packed with activities and looking into a credit card is probably not your first priority. However, it is a prime time to look into it and reap the rewards! Put it on your annual calendar to open cards that help you meet minimum spends—and don’t forget to triple-dip those credits!
Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a Travel Mom Squad advertiser, but we always show the best public offer even when we don’t earn a commission. Terms Apply.
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Editorial Note: 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.
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