For travelers and credit card enthusiasts, the ever-growing list of perks, credits, and complicated annual fees can feel like a full-time job to manage. On October 3, 2025, two new solutions entered the spotlight, each aiming to help cardholders wrangle their use-it-or-lose-it benefits before they expire—and to make sure those hefty annual fees don’t go to waste. According to Greg The Frequent Miler, a new web-based app called UseYourCredits promises to simplify tracking for everything from Saks Fifth Avenue credits to airline companion certificates. Meanwhile, Kyle Potter of Thrifty Traveler unveiled an expanded, free spreadsheet tool that now covers nearly 20 of the most popular travel rewards cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One.
Why all the fuss? Well, as annual fees keep climbing and issuers pile on new, sometimes obscure, perks, it’s become increasingly difficult for even the savviest cardholders to keep tabs on what they’re owed. Forgetting to use a $200 airline credit or missing out on a free hotel night can mean leaving real money on the table. Both tools, though different in style and delivery, share a mission: helping users maximize their rewards and avoid letting valuable credits slip through the cracks.
UseYourCredits, as described by Frequent Miler, is a polished, app-based platform designed to help users track a wide variety of credit card coupons and benefits. This includes merchant credits from brands like Lululemon and Saks, flight credits, companion certificates, and those all-important free nights that can make or break a travel budget. The tool’s standout feature is its set of interactive maps—free to use even without creating an account—that show users exactly where they can redeem certain credits.
For example, both the American Express Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card offer statement credits for eligible spend at restaurants listed on the Resy booking platform. However, cardholders don’t have to book through Resy to qualify; they just need to use their card at a participating restaurant. UseYourCredits’ Resy Map makes it a cinch to find eligible restaurants in your area, displaying key information about each location. There’s also a dedicated map for Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables—restaurants where Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn twice-annual $150 credits. Instead of scrolling through lists or guessing which places qualify, users can visually explore their options and plan their meals (and spending) accordingly.
Frequent Miler makes it clear that there’s no business relationship with UseYourCredits, but adds a sweetener for readers: a discount code, 20FM, good for 20% off subscriptions through October 31, 2025. While the basic maps are free, tracking more than a few cards requires a paid subscription. Still, for those juggling multiple premium cards with dozens of benefits, the convenience could be worth the price.
On the other side of the spectrum, Thrifty Traveler’s spreadsheet tool takes a more DIY approach but doesn’t skimp on features. As Kyle Potter explains, the tool was born out of necessity after the introduction of new benefits on the American Express Platinum Card left many users scrambling to keep up. Responding to reader requests, the team expanded the tracker to cover almost 20 of the top travel cards, including the Platinum and Business Platinum Cards from American Express, the American Express Gold and Business Gold Cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and its business counterpart, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and its small-business version, and the entire suite of Delta SkyMiles cards.
Getting started is simple: users enter their email address and receive a personalized spreadsheet with tabs for each card they own. From there, they can mark each credit or benefit as used, and the tool automatically tallies the total value redeemed. When a cardholder has recouped their entire annual fee, a green indicator appears at the top—a small but satisfying visual reward for diligent tracking.
One of the cleverest features is the expiration warning system. As credits approach their expiration date, unused benefits turn orange when there are 30 days left and red with just two weeks remaining. This color-coded alert system helps ensure that nothing gets overlooked in the end-of-quarter or end-of-year rush. Users can also customize the value of each benefit based on their personal preferences. Maybe you don’t value a CLEAR® Plus subscription at the full $209 sticker price—no problem, just adjust the number to reflect what it’s worth to you. The same goes for lounge access, free baggage, and other perks that might mean more or less depending on your travel style.
Potter notes that it’s “a bit ridiculous that it practically requires a spreadsheet like this to get the most out of a travel credit card,” but acknowledges that’s the reality. With issuers constantly tweaking benefits and adding new hoops to jump through, organization is key. The spreadsheet is free, and signing up also enrolls users in Thrifty Traveler’s weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile. For those who want to see even more cards included, the team is already working on expanding the tool to cover United, Citi, Hilton, Marriott, and others. Feedback and requests are encouraged, as the goal is to make the tracker as comprehensive as possible.
Both tools address a growing pain point: the sheer complexity of maximizing travel credit card benefits in 2025. Where UseYourCredits offers a sleek, app-driven experience with interactive maps and a subscription model, Thrifty Traveler’s spreadsheet provides a customizable, no-cost alternative with robust tracking and warning systems. Each caters to a slightly different audience, but both recognize that the days of simply swiping your card and reaping rewards are long gone. Now, it’s about strategic planning, careful monitoring, and—sometimes—a nudge from a well-timed alert or a colorful spreadsheet cell.
For cardholders, the stakes are real. Annual fees for premium cards like the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve often exceed $500, and missing out on even a single benefit can erase much of the value. With new tools like UseYourCredits and Thrifty Traveler’s tracker, there’s hope that fewer perks will go unused and more travelers will get the most from their plastic. As Potter puts it, “We’re here to help. Get started with our free tracking tool now and never miss out on a lucrative benefit again!”
As the world of travel rewards continues to evolve, these innovations offer a lifeline for anyone determined to come out ahead—no matter how many cards they carry or how many credits they need to use before the clock runs out.
