If you’re a savvy spender, taking advantage of annual spending incentives on credit cards can add significant value to your wallet. Many credit cards offer rewards for meeting specific spending thresholds, such as bonus points, statement credits, free hotel nights, and flight discounts. However, before committing to a card with a spending incentive, consider whether you will actually use the reward and whether it justifies the required spending. In many cases, you may be better off putting that spending on a card that earns more flexible rewards, which can provide greater overall value. But just so you know if you have a card that offers a spending incentive, below, we break down credit cards with annual spending incentives into three categories: general rewards cards, airline cards, and hotel cards.
General Rewards Cards with Annual Spending Incentives
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year.
Airline Credit Cards with Annual Spending Incentives
- Aeroplan® Credit Card – Earn 500 bonus points for each $2,000 spent per calendar month on up to $6,000 in purchases, for a possible total of 1,500 bonus points each month.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® – Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 or more during your card membership year and renewing your card.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard® – Earn 20,000 bonus HawaiianMiles on your account anniversary with $50K-$99K in annual spend, or 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles with $100K or more in annual spend.
- Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard® – Earn 10,000 anniversary Skywards miles upon spending $30,000 or more within one year of account opening.
- United℠ Business Card-Get a $100 United travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more within each account anniversary year
- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®– Earn 5,000 Flying Blue Miles every year on your account anniversary after spending $50 or more.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card – Earn an Alaska Companion Fare ($99 + taxes/fees) after spending $6,000 in a cardmember year.
Hotel Credit Cards with Annual Spending Incentives
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Card – Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $30,000, and a second reward night after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.
- The World Of Hyatt Credit Card – Earn an extra free night at a Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card – Receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card – Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card – Receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card – Earn 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. You can also top it off with up to 15,000 points to redeem at a higher-tier property.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card – Earn 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) after spending $60,000 in a calendar year, with the option to top it off with 15,000 points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card – Earn 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, with the option to add up to 15,000 points.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner Card – Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year after spending $15,000.
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card – Earn 10% back on redeemed points (up to 200,000 points) after spending $50,000 in a calendar year.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to put significant spending on your credit cards, these annual incentives can add meaningful value. Whether you prefer cash back, free hotel nights, or bonus airline miles, choosing the right card and aligning your spending habits accordingly can unlock significant rewards. However, always consider whether these incentives align with your travel and financial goals. In many cases, you may be better off putting your spending on a card that earns more flexible rewards, which often provide superior redemption options. Before committing to a specific spending target, ensure that it fits within your budget and maximizes your overall rewards strategy.
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