I’m turning over a new leaf.
As I added more premium cards to my rewards strategy, my wallet expanded. With top travel products raising annual fees and adding more bill points all year long, it’s time for me to get organized. I don’t want to miss out on value just because a few months have passed.
I have some benefits to record American Express Platinum Card®Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See Rates and Fees).
Depending on the benefit, the statement credit may reset each calendar year, on my account anniversary, semiannually, quarterly, or monthly. There’s a lot to keep track of – that’s why I rely on my TPG colleagues to help me. Some of my colleagues successfully manage over 20 rewards cards.
If you’re balancing multiple cards and time-sensitive bill points, you’re not alone. Here are four tips to help you and I enjoy our card benefits smoothly.
Login Online Account Tracker
While I haven’t jumped on the spreadsheet train or set up recurring app notifications, I do check my card accounts weekly and keep an eye on each card’s benefits tracker.
This method isn’t perfect, as it can take days or even weeks for some statement credits to reflect in my account.
However, I do appreciate that issuers like American Express finally reflect the exact amount I spend on benefits, and how much I have left to maximize benefits.
This method works for now, but as my life gets busier (and I add more cards to my wallet), I can see the need for other options for tracking my credit.
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Related: How long does it take to receive statement points from American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi?
Make a spreadsheet
Reward travel enthusiasts have been making spreadsheets for years to keep up with claiming points, benefits, bonus categories and balances. Granted, it’s an easy route and one I hope to exploit more in 2026.
Fortunately, many TPGers have perfected their processes. Carly Helfand, director of points, miles and credit card content, has a streamlined approach. She breaks her bill points into sections based on the card she uses, listing the amount she can receive and how often she’ll get it.
For example, in American Express Platinum Card In her spreadsheet section, Carly has four $100 Resy points listed as “Q1,” “Q2,” “Q3,” and “Q4″—designating the American Express Platinum Card to provide four quarterly statement credits of up to $100 for purchases at any eligible U.S. Resy restaurant. *
*Cardholders may receive up to $400 per calendar year; registration required; no reservation required.
After she uses a statement credit, she marks an “X” in the appropriate cell and checks the spreadsheet quarterly.
Spreadsheets are flexible, customizable, and personal, but you must take the time to review it regularly. My New Year’s resolution is to establish a spreadsheet routine that works for me because this approach is not one-size-fits-all.
RELATED: American Express Platinum Cardmembers: Make the Most of Your Points Before the Year Ends
Set email and calendar reminders
Sometimes you need a quick pop-up to get your mind back on track.
Leading points and miles writer Katie Genter says she uses a few spreadsheets, but she also uses AwardWallet to send email reminders when her unused statement points are about to expire.
Contributing Editor Matt Moffitt sets up monthly, quarterly, and bi-annual point reminders in his Google Calendar each quarter. This includes earning up to $75 in quarterly Lululemon points when shopping in U.S. stores (excluding specialty stores) and online. American Express Platinum Card.**
**Cardholders can earn up to $300 in bill points each calendar year; enrollment required.
These are tips I can pick up too, since I regularly use Google Calendar to keep up with travel plans and appointments. Adding my easily forgotten statement credit should be seamless.
Related: Don’t let points go to waste: Your 2025 year-end credit card checklist
Use the app
Matt updates his biannual and annual “master list” of points in the Notes app on his iPhone every time he makes a purchase.
For example, he had a note to use his Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardSince he has used it in the second half of 2025, he can earn up to $200 in semi-annual Hilton Resorts statement credits in the first half of 2026 (up to $400 per calendar year for qualifying purchases at Hilton Resorts; registration required).
Carly sets notifications on a to-do list app called TickTick to remind herself to check recurring points, while Katie uses the app Todoist for reminders.
Katie said she will be “doubling (and in some cases, tripling) the reminders” to make sure she doesn’t miss out on claim points. I think this is a very good idea.
Related: Traveling soon? These 12 apps and websites make reward redemption easier to find
bottom line
If you have multiple premium credit cards with a long list of credit limits, you’ll want to make sure you max them out and maximize your return on your annual fee.
This can get more challenging as you add more cards to your strategy, which is why now might be the perfect time to get organized.
I’m ready to try some of these methods myself to make it easier to enjoy all of my benefits.
Related: Maximizing Your Rewards: Your Points and Miles Checklist
