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Every December, my brain shifts into two very specific holiday modes:
- Cookies
- Making my credit card strategy work a lot harder for me before the year ends
This year, I found myself deep in my own card lineup, asking the same question so many of you ask me:
“If I’m already paying an annual fee on a premium card… how do I get the most out of it?”
That’s when I realized something I somehow forget every year: December is the one month where you can squeeze ridiculous value out of certain cards because of how their calendar-year credits reset.
And when I say value, I don’t mean a tiny perk here or there.
I mean you can sometimes use the same credit three times before your second annual fee ever posts.
Let me tell you exactly what that means and how I’m doing it myself.
Which Card Made the Most Sense for Me This Year
When I sat down and looked at what I already have open, one brand new premium card immediately stood out as the strongest triple-dip opportunity for my setup.
It just happens to be the very first card on this list:
The rest of the list are cards people consistently rave about for triple-dipping, especially because they offer calendar-year credits that reset every January, not based on when you opened the card.
But, your mix of cards might look totally different from mine, so instead of telling you one “best” card, I want to show you exactly what triple-dipping looks like so you can decide what fits your wallet.
What Triple-Dipping Actually Means
Some premium cards offer credits that reset every calendar year instead of on your cardmember anniversary.
That one detail is the entire strategy.
Here’s why:
If you apply in December, you can usually use the credit:
- Right now (December)
- All next year
- One more time the following January before the second annual fee posts
So whether it’s a retail credit, travel reimbursement, dining credit, wellness perk, or monthly lifestyle credit, you’re squeezing 2–3 cycles of value out of one annual fee.
And who doesn’t love getting triple the value out of something you use?
Here Are the Types of Credits You Can Triple-Dip
- Use now$200
- Use in 2026$200
- Use in early 2027$200
- Use now$300
- Use next year$300
- Use in early 2027$300
- Use now$250
- Use next year$250
- Use in early 2027$250
- Use now$100
- Use next year$200
- Use in early 2027$100
So… Which Cards Offer These Credits?
Here is the list of the cards people love to triple-dip, including the one I’m personally the most excited about this year (right at the top): Find it here
If you want to maximize value with the least amount of effort, this is where I’d start.
Why This Strategy Matters
If you’re paying an annual fee, I want you to actually get something out of it.
For most families, that means:
- saving on hotels
- covering some travel costs
- letting lifestyle credits offset everyday spending
- using welcome bonuses for big family trips
Triple-dipping lets you front-load a ton of value into a single year, especially if you’re already planning travel or holiday purchases.
It’s one of the smartest timing strategies in the points world, and December is the sweet spot.
Want to Learn More or Start Planning Your Strategy?
If you’re brand new to points, start with my Beginner’s Guide; it’s designed for families.
When choosing your next card, this tool can really help.
If you want to join a community of moms planning family travel, share your trips, and learn from others, then join our Facebook Group.
And if you want to make sure you never miss deals, bonuses, or timing strategies like this:
My Weekly Newsletter.
Final Thoughts
Triple-dipping isn’t about working the system; it’s about using timing to stretch your travel budget and make your cards work harder for your family.
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