Skip to main content
Don't Leave Money on the Table! Credit Card Reset Guide for Savvy Travelers
Published on November 4, 2025, 9:03 PM
It's that time of year again, awardtrailblazers! As 2025 winds down, it's crucial to check which of your credit card benefits, spending limits, and category bonuses are about to reset on January 1st. This is your last chance to maximize your rewards before those limits reset! Think of it as a credit card "use-it-or-lose-it" situation. Specifically, pay attention to annual spending caps on bonus categories like those on the Amex Gold (4x at US supermarkets up to $25k), Blue Cash Preferred (6% back at supermarkets up to $6k), and Amex Platinum (5x on travel up to $500k) cards. Also, Chase Freedom, Discover, and other cards with quarterly bonus categories will have new categories starting January 1st, so make sure you've maxed out the current ones. Beyond spending categories, many cards offer bonuses for hitting certain annual spending thresholds. For example, the Amex Hilton cards offer free night certificates and even Hilton Diamond status if you spend enough each calendar year. The Amex Platinum cards have Centurion Lounge access bonuses for heavy spenders! Plus, don't forget that referral bonuses from Chase and Amex reset annually, so if you're a referral master, hustle to max them out before December 31st, then get ready for a fresh start in the new year. Staying on top of these resets is a simple way to ensure you're squeezing every last point and perk out of your cards!