December Triple Dip Strategy With Premium Credit Card

This is one of my favorite credit card strategies that most people don’t know about; It’s called the triple dip strategy, and December is literally your last chance to execute it for this year.

When done correctly, you can extract thousands of dollars in statement credits from premium credit cards while only paying one annual fee. 

I’m talking about using the same credits three times:

• December 2025 (right now)
• All of 2026
• Early 2027 (before you pay your second annual fee)

If you’ve been on the fence about applying for a premium travel card like the Amex Platinum or the Citi Strata Elite, this is the month to execute the triple dip strategy. Miss December, and you’ll have to wait an entire year to triple dip again.

Let me show you exactly how the triple dip strategy works, which cards are best for it, and why December applications are so valuable.

What Is the Triple Dip Strategy?

The triple dip strategy is timing your credit card application so you can use certain annual benefits three times while only paying one annual fee.

Here’s the key to making the triple dip strategy work: Many premium credit cards offer statement credits that reset based on the calendar year (January 1) rather than your card anniversary.

Normal scenario (apply in March):

• March 2025: Use credits
• March 2026: Annual fee posts, use credits again
• March 2027: Pay second annual fee

You get 2 years of credits for 2 annual fees.

Triple dip strategy scenario (apply in December):

• December 2025: Use credits immediately
• January 2026: Credits reset (use them again!)
• January 2027: Credits reset again (use before canceling)
• Your second annual fee posts 30 days later

You get 3 years of credits for 1 annual fee.

You have 30 days after your annual fee posts to cancel or downgrade and get a full refund of the fee.

So if your second annual fee posts in mid-December 2026, you have until mid-January 2027 to use your third round of credits with the triple dip strategy, then cancel and get your fee refunded.

Why December Is the ONLY Month for the Triple Dip Strategy

You need to apply in the first two weeks of December to execute the triple dip strategy. Here’s why:

Timeline Breakdown:

December 1-15, 2025:

• Apply for card
• Get approved
• Receive card (expedite shipping)
• Activate and enroll in benefits

December 16-31, 2025:

• Use your calendar-year credits before they expire
• Make sure transactions POST (not just pending) before December 31

January 1, 2026:

• All calendar-year credits reset
• Use them again throughout 2026

December 2026:

• Your second annual fee posts
• You have 30 days to cancel/downgrade

January 1-15, 2027:

• Credits reset again
• Use your third round of credits quickly
• Cancel/downgrade card within 30-day window
• Annual fee refunded

If you apply too late (after December 15): You won’t receive your card in time to use December 2025 credits, and you’ll only get a double dip instead of executing the full triple dip strategy.

If you apply any other month: You miss the year-end reset entirely and only get the standard two rounds of credits, the triple dip strategy only works in December.

The Best Cards for the Triple Dip Strategy (December 2025)

Not all premium cards work well for the triple dip strategy. You need cards with calendar-year credits (not card anniversary credits).

Here are the absolute best options for executing the triple dip strategy right now:

1. Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: MY #1 PICK FOR THE TRIPLE DIP STRATEGY

Welcome Bonus: 100,000 bonus points after $6,000 spend in 3 months (LIMITED TIME)

Annual Fee: $595

Our Valuation: Up to $1,600

Why this is my top triple dip strategy recommendation: Citi ThankYou Points now transfer to American Airlines—the only transferable points program with this option. That 100,000-point bonus equals 100,000 AA miles.

But the real magic for the triple dip strategy is in the calendar-year credits:

Calendar-Year Credits:

• $300 Hotel Credit (for 2-night stays booked through Citi Travel)
• $200 Splurge Credit (Best Buy, American Airlines, Live Nation, 1stDibs, Future Personal Training)
• $200 Blacklane Credit ($100 semi-annually: Jan-Jun + Jul-Dec)
• 4 Admirals Club Passes (annually, each pass admits 1 adult + 3 kids)

Triple Dip Math:

December 2025 (Dip 1):

• $300 hotel credit (book by Dec 31, travel later)
• $200 Splurge credit
• $100 Blacklane credit (Jul-Dec window)
• 4 Admirals Club passes (if flying American for holidays)
• Total: $600-800 in value

All of 2026 (Dip 2):

• $300 hotel credit (new year)
• $200 Splurge credit (new year)
• $200 Blacklane credit (both windows)
• 4 new Admirals Club passes
• Total: $700-900 in value

January 2027 (Dip 3):

• $300 hotel credit (book and use quickly)
• $200 Splurge credit (spend at Best Buy immediately)
• $100 Blacklane credit (Jan-Jun window)
• Cancel card within 30 days, get annual fee refunded
• Total: $600-800 in value

Grand Total: $1,900-2,500 in credits from one $595 annual fee plus the 100,000-point welcome bonus worth $1,600.

Why the Splurge Credit is amazing: Select Best Buy as one of your two merchants, spend $200 on gift cards in late December. Instant $200 back. Reset January 1, do it again. Reset January 1, 2027, do it one more time. That’s $600 in essentially free money.

Who should get this card:

• Anyone who flies American Airlines or oneworld partners
• Anyone who can use hotel credits (Citi Travel portal prices are competitive)
• Anyone who wants an alternative to Chase/Amex transferable points

Apply by: December 15, 2025 (to ensure you receive card in time)

2. American Express Platinum Card®:THE CLASSIC TRIPLE DIP STRATEGY CARD

Welcome Bonus: As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after $8,000 spend in 6 months (offers vary)

Annual Fee: $895

Our Valuation: Up to $3,850

The Amex Platinum is the OG triple dip strategy card. It has more calendar-year credits than any other card on the market, making it perfect for the triple dip strategy.

Calendar-Year Credits:

• $200 Airline Fee Credit (annually)
• $600 Hotel Credit ($300 semi-annually: Jan-Jun + Jul-Dec for Fine Hotels + Resorts / Hotel Collection)
• $100 Saks Credit ($50 semi-annually: Jan-Jun + Jul-Dec)
• $400 Resy Credit ($100 quarterly)
• $300 lululemon Credit ($75 quarterly)
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit ($20 monthly)
• $200 Uber Cash ($15 monthly + $20 December bonus)

Monthly/Quarterly Credits:

• Digital Entertainment: $20/month
• Uber: $15/month (+ $20 in December)
• Resy: $100/quarter
• lululemon: $75/quarter

Triple Dip Strategy:

December 2025 (Dip 1):

• $200 airline fee credit
• $300 hotel credit (Jul-Dec window)
• $50 Saks credit (Jul-Dec window)
• $100 Resy credit (Q4)
• $75 lululemon credit (Q4)
• $20 digital entertainment (December)
• $35 Uber cash ($15 regular + $20 December bonus)
• Total: $780 in credits

All of 2026 (Dip #2):

• $200 airline fee credit (new year)
• $600 hotel credit (both windows)
• $100 Saks credit (both windows)
• $400 Resy credit (all 4 quarters)
• $300 lululemon credit (all 4 quarters)
• $240 digital entertainment (12 months)
• $200 Uber cash (12 months + December bonus)
• Total: $2,040 in credits

January 2027 (Dip #3):

• $200 airline fee credit (immediately)
• $300 hotel credit (Jan-Jun window, book and use fast)
• $50 Saks credit (Jan-Jun window)
• $100 Resy credit (Q1)
• $75 lululemon credit (Q1)
• $20 digital entertainment (January)
• $15 Uber cash (January)
• Cancel within 30 days of fee posting
• Total: $760 in credits

Grand Total: $3,580 in credits from one $895 annual fee plus up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points (worth up to $3,500).

You won’t use every single credit every single month. Let’s be realistic:

Conservative estimate (using 60% of available credits):

• Dip #1: $468 (60% of $780)
• Dip #2: $1,224 (60% of $2,040)
• Dip #3: $456 (60% of $760)
• Total: $2,148 in actual value

Even at 60% utilization, you’re still coming out $1,253 ahead after the annual fee.

Who should get this card:

• Frequent travelers who’ll use hotel and airline credits
• People who already shop at Saks, lululemon, or use Uber regularly
• Those who want Centurion Lounge access and hotel elite status

Apply by: December 15, 2025

3. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Welcome Bonus: 200,000 Membership Rewards Points after $20,000 spend in 3 months

Annual Fee: $895

Our Valuation: $4,400

The business version mirrors many personal Platinum credits and adds business-focused ones.

Calendar-Year Credits:

• $200 Airline Fee Credit (annually)
• $600 Hotel Credit ($300 semi-annually for FHR/Hotel Collection)
• $250 Adobe Credit (after spending $600 annually)
• $360 Indeed Credits ($90 quarterly for job postings)
• $120 Wireless Credit ($10 monthly for phone bills)

Triple Dip Math:

December 2025:

• $200 airline credit
• $300 hotel credit (Jul-Dec)
• $90 Indeed credit (Q4, if you hire)
• $10 wireless credit (December)
• Total: $600

All of 2026:

• $200 airline credit
• $600 hotel credit (both windows)
• $250 Adobe credit (if you use Creative Cloud)
• $360 Indeed credits (all quarters, if hiring)
• $120 wireless credit (12 months)
• Total: $1,530

January 2027:

• $200 airline credit
• $300 hotel credit (Jan-Jun window)
• $90 Indeed credit (Q1)
• $10 wireless credit (January)
• Cancel within 30 days
• Total: $600

Grand Total: $2,730 in credits from one $895 annual fee plus 200,000 Membership Rewards points (worth $4,000).

Who should get this card:

• Business owners with $20k+ in legitimate business expenses
• Companies that hire regularly (Indeed credits)
• Businesses using Adobe Creative Cloud
• Businesses with high phone bills

Apply by: December 15, 2025

4. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card FOR HILTON LOYALISTS

Welcome Bonus: 175,000 bonus points after $6,000 spend in 6 months (ENDS JANUARY 14, 2026) Annual Fee: $550

This card is triple-dip gold for Hilton fans.

Calendar-Year Credits:

• $400 Hilton Resort Credit ($200 semi-annually: Jan-Jun + Jul-Dec)
• $200 Flight Credit ($50 quarterly)
• $200 On-Property Credit (annually at Waldorf Astoria/Conrad)
• Free Weekend Night Certificate (annually)

Triple Dip Math:

December 2025:

• $200 resort credit (Jul-Dec window)
• $50 flight credit (Q4)
• Use if you have a Waldorf/Conrad stay planned
• Total: $250-450

All of 2026:

• $400 resort credit (both windows)
• $200 flight credit (all quarters)
• $200 on-property credit (book for next year)
• Free night certificate
• Total: $800-1,000

January 2027:

• $200 resort credit (Jan-Jun window)
• $50 flight credit (Q1)
• Use free night certificate if available
• Cancel within 30 days
• Total: $250-450

Grand Total: $1,300-1,900 in credits from one $550 annual fee plus 175,000 Hilton points + automatic Diamond status.

Who should get this card:

• Hilton loyalists who stay at resort properties
• People planning luxury stays at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad
• Anyone who values Diamond elite status

Apply by: December 15, 2025 (offer ends January 14, 2026 anyway)

Step-by-Step: How to Execute the Triple Dip

Phase 1: Application (December 1-15)

Day 1: Apply for your chosen card

• Apply early in the month (December 1-15 is ideal)
• Have your information ready (income, housing costs, business revenue if applying for business card)
• Apply online for fastest processing

Day 2-3: Get approved and expedite shipping

• Get your temporary card number immediately after approval (most banks do this now)
• As soon as you’re approved, call the issuer
• Request expedited shipping (usually 2-3 business days)
• For Amex: They often provide instant card numbers for online purchases

Day 4-7: Receive and activate card

• Activate immediately upon receipt
• Set up online account access
• Add card to mobile wallet for immediate use

Phase 2: First Dip (December 15-31)

Step 1: Enroll in ALL benefits (CRITICAL)

• Log into your account
• Find the Benefits or Offers section
• Enroll in every single credit/benefit
• For Amex especially: You MUST enroll or credits won’t post

Step 2: Use your credits before December 31

• Make purchases that will POST (not just pending) before end of year
• Online purchases usually post within 24-48 hours
• In-store purchases post faster than online for some merchants

Example timeline for Citi Strata Elite:

• December 15: Card arrives
• December 16: Enroll in benefits
• December 17: Book 2-night hotel stay for March 2026 through Citi Travel ($300 credit)
• December 20: Buy $200 Best Buy gift cards online (Splurge credit)
• December 24: Check that transactions posted
• December 31: Credits locked in ✓

Step 3: Track your credits

• Create a spreadsheet or use your notes app
• Document each credit: date used, amount, merchant
• Set calendar reminders for credit resets

Phase 3: Second Dip (All of 2026)

January 1, 2026: Credits reset

For annual credits (like Citi’s hotel/Splurge):

• Use throughout the year as needed
• Don’t wait until December, spread them out

For semi-annual credits (like Amex Saks $50 Jan-Jun):

• Use the Jan-Jun portion by June 30
• Use the Jul-Dec portion by December 31

For quarterly credits (like Amex Resy $100/quarter):

• Set quarterly reminders
• Use Q1 credit by March 31
• Use Q2 credit by June 30
• Use Q3 credit by September 30
• Use Q4 credit by December 31

For monthly credits (like Amex Digital Entertainment $20/month):

• Set up recurring purchases
• Example: Hulu subscription auto-charges each month
• Credit applies automatically

Pro tip: Set 4 calendar alerts per year:

• March 31 (end of Q1)
• June 30 (end of Q2/first half)
• September 30 (end of Q3)
• December 31 (end of Q4/year)

Phase 4: Third Dip (January 2027)

December 2026: Annual fee posts

• Check your statement for exact date
• You have 30 days from this date to cancel/downgrade and get refund
• Mark your calendar with the 30-day deadline

January 1, 2027: Credits reset again

January 1-15, 2027: Final sprint

This is where you move FAST:

For Citi Strata Elite:

• Day 1: Go to Best Buy, buy $200 in gift cards (Splurge credit #3)
• Day 2: Book 2-night hotel for February through Citi Travel ($300 credit #3)
• Day 7: Confirm both credits posted
• Day 10: Call Citi to cancel/downgrade

For Amex Platinum:

• Day 1: Pay for streaming service (Digital Entertainment)
• Day 1: Take Uber ride (Uber credit)
• Day 1: Book hotel through FHR for March ($300 credit)
• Day 2: Pay airline baggage fee or seat selection ($200 airline credit)
• Day 3: Buy something at Saks online ($50 credit)
• Day 5: Dine at Resy restaurant ($100 credit)
• Day 7: Confirm all credits posted
• Day 10-14: Call Amex to cancel/downgrade

Important timing notes:

• Don’t wait until day 29 to use credits
• Some credits take 2-7 days to post after purchase
• You need credits to post BEFORE you cancel
• Once you cancel, pending credits won’t process

Step 5: Cancel or downgrade

• Call the bank (don’t do this via chat or secure message for something this important)
• Say: I’d like to cancel/downgrade my [card name]
• They’ll ask why, be honest: The annual fee is too high for the benefits I use
• They may offer retention bonuses, evaluate if they’re worth keeping the card
• If canceling, ask: Will my annual fee be refunded?
• Confirm: So I’ll see the $XXX refund on my next statement?

What to expect:

• Annual fee refund posts within 1-2 billing cycles
• Your account closes immediately or within a few days
• Points/miles in your account remain (they’re separate from the card)
• For Amex: They may move points to another Amex card you hold

BONUS PERK: PRIORITY PASS WITH 2 GUESTS

This card includes Priority Pass lounge access that covers 2 guests.

This is HUGE because Capital One Venture X is removing this benefit in February.

So if you’re a family of 4:

• One parent has Venture X (covers that parent + 2 guests)
• Other parent has this card (covers that parent + 2 more guests)

Your whole family gets lounge access.

Common Mistakes That Kill the Triple Dip Strategy

Mistake 1: Applying too late in December

The problem: Apply December 20, card arrives December 27, you have 4 days to use credits that need time to post. Your triple dip strategy fails.

The fix: Apply by December 10 at the latest for the triple dip strategy to work. December 1-5 is ideal.

Mistake 2: Not enrolling in benefits

The problem: Amex especially requires enrollment. If you don’t enroll, credits won’t post even if you make qualifying purchases.

The fix: First thing after activating card: go to benefits section and enroll in everything.

Mistake 3: Leaving transactions pending on December 31

The problem: You buy something December 30, but it stays pending until January 2. Credit counts toward 2026, not 2025.

The fix: Make purchases by December 26-27 to ensure posting by December 31. Online purchases post faster than in-store for some merchants.

Mistake 4: Waiting too long in January 2027 to use third-dip credits

The problem: You use credits January 25, they post January 29, you cancel January 28. Credits don’t process after account closure.

The fix: Use all third-dip credits by January 10. Give yourself a 2-week buffer before your 30-day deadline.

Mistake 5: Forgetting when your annual fee posts

The problem: You think you have until December 31 to cancel, but your fee posted December 5. Your 30 days ends January 4.

The fix: Check your statement for exact annual fee post date. Set phone alarm for 20 days after fee posts (gives you 10-day buffer).

Mistake 6: Trying to execute the triple dip strategy with the wrong credits

The problem: You’re trying to use the triple dip strategy with credits that reset by card anniversary, not calendar year. The strategy fails.

The fix: Only cards with calendar-year credits work for the triple dip strategy. Review benefits terms carefully before applying.

Mistake 7: Not tracking which credits you’ve used

The problem: Did I use my Saks credit this half of the year? Did my hotel credit post? Chaos ensues.

The fix: Spreadsheet tracking or at minimum, notes app with checkmarks.

Advanced Triple Dip Strategy Techniques

Strategy 1: The Spouse Double Combo Triple Dip Strategy

Both you AND your spouse apply for the same card in December to double your triple dip strategy gains.

Example: Both get Citi Strata Elite using the triple dip strategy

• Your card: Triple dip = $1,900 in credits
• Spouse’s card: Triple dip = $1,900 in credits
• Combined: $3,800 in credits from $1,190 in annual fees
• Plus: 200,000 total Citi points

This triple dip strategy works especially well for:

• Citi Strata Elite (Splurge credit is easy to use, hotel credit for 2-night stays)
• Hilton Aspire (resort credits stack nicely for big family trips)

Strategy #2: The Business + Personal Triple Dip Strategy Stack

Get both the personal AND business version of the same card to maximize the triple dip strategy.

Example: Amex Platinum + Amex Business Platinum (both using triple dip strategy)

• Personal Platinum: Triple dip = $2,100 in credits used
• Business Platinum: Triple dip = $1,600 in credits used
• Combined: $3,700 in credits from $1,790 in annual fees
• Plus: Up to 375,000 Membership Rewards points

The benefit of this triple dip strategy approach: Credits stack and are tracked separately, so you can use $400 airline credit total ($200 personal + $200 business).

Strategy 3: The Credit Card Ladder Triple Dip Strategy

Execute the triple dip strategy with a different premium card each December for 3 years straight.

Year 1 (Dec 2025): Citi Strata Elite triple dip strategy

• Use credits Dec 2025, all 2026, Jan 2027
• Cancel, get annual fee refund
• Net gain: $1,300 + 100k points

Year 2 (Dec 2026): Amex Platinum triple dip strategy

• Use credits Dec 2026, all 2027, Jan 2028
• Cancel, get annual fee refund
• Net gain: $1,250 + 175k points

Year 3 (Dec 2027): Amex Business Platinum triple dip strategy

• Use credits Dec 2027, all 2028, Jan 2029
• Cancel, get annual fee refund
• Net gain: $700 + 200k points

3-year triple dip strategy total: $3,250 in net credits + 475,000 points (worth $9,500)

Strategy #4: The Downgrade Instead of Cancel

Instead of canceling after third dip, downgrade to a no-fee version.

Example: Amex Platinum → Amex Gold

• Keep your Membership Rewards points alive
• Keep your account age for credit score
• Amex Gold has lower annual fee ($325) but still transfers to partners
• Evaluate if Gold’s credits ($240/year) justify keeping

Example: Citi Strata Elite → Citi Strata Premier

• $595 annual fee → $95 annual fee
• Keep points in same ecosystem
• Still transfer to 15 airline partners including American
• Lose some premium perks but maintain core value

Frequently Asked Questions About the Triple Dip Strategy

Q: Can I use the triple dip strategy if I’ve had the card before?

A: Usually no. Most premium cards have once per lifetime or once every X years bonus rules. Check eligibility before applying for the triple dip strategy.

Q: What if I cancel and then want to use the triple dip strategy with the card again later?

A: You typically won’t be eligible for another welcome bonus. Citi is generally 24 months from last bonus, Amex is once per lifetime (7+ years in practice), Chase is 48 months for Sapphire products.

Q: Will executing the triple dip strategy hurt my credit score?

A: The application creates a hard inquiry (temporary small impact). Canceling after 13-14 months slightly reduces your average account age. Impact is minimal if you have other older accounts. The triple dip strategy itself doesn’t hurt your credit.

Q: Can I execute the triple dip strategy with multiple cards at once?

A: Yes, but be strategic. Space applications by 30-90 days and make sure you can meet all minimum spends naturally.

Q: What if the annual fee posts on December 31?

A: Your 30-day window would end January 30, giving you the entire month of January to use third-dip credits with the triple dip strategy. Perfect scenario.

Q: Do I need to actually take the trips I book with hotel credits?

A: For third dip, it depends. Some credits require the stay to complete before canceling. Read fine print. For Amex FHR/Hotel Collection, the credit posts at booking, so you could potentially cancel the stay after the credit posts (though this is ethically gray).

Q: Can I product change to another premium card instead of downgrading?

A: Generally no. You can only downgrade to a no-fee or lower-fee version within the same card family.

Q: What happens to my points if I cancel?

A: They stay in your rewards account. Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and hotel points are separate from your credit card account.

Q: Is there a way to get the annual fee refunded but keep the card?

A: Some issuers offer retention bonuses (points, statement credits, or fee waivers) if you call to cancel. You can ask “Are there any offers available to keep my account open?”

My Final Take on the Triple Dip Strategy

If you’re going to apply for a premium credit card anyway, using the triple dip strategy by applying in December is a no-brainer.

My top recommendation for the triple dip strategy in December 2025: Citi Strata Elite

For experienced players executing the triple dip strategy: Stack both Amex Platinum (personal) and Amex Business Platinum if you can meet the $8k + $20k spend requirements. The combined welcome bonuses alone are worth ~$8,000.

For beginners learning the triple dip strategy: Start with Citi Strata Elite. It’s less overwhelming than juggling 10+ Amex credits, and the Splurge + Hotel credits are easy to use with the triple dip strategy.

The deadline is real for the triple dip strategy: You have until December 10-15 to apply and receive your card in time. After that, you miss the triple dip strategy opportunity for an entire year.

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good with the triple dip strategy. Even if you only capture 70% of available credits, you’re still coming out massively ahead.

Ready to maximize those premium card benefits with the triple dip strategy? December is your month.

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This triple dip strategy guide is for educational purposes only. Always read card terms and conditions before applying. Credit card terms and benefits can change, verify current offers on issuer websites before applying.