How to Redeem Points for Cash Instead of Travel This Christmas
Swap card points for statement credits, deposits, or checks to cover Christmas costs in early December.
To redeem points for cash instead of travel this Christmas, sign in to your rewards account and choose cash back. Pick a statement credit, a bank deposit, or a mailed check, then submit the request several days before you need the money. Rewards points are card balances you can exchange for travel, merchandise, or cash.
Chase, Citi, Capital One, and American Express each allow a cash option, but values and delivery times differ.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 06, 2026.
What will Chase points pay as cash?
Chase says Ultimate Rewards points redeem for cash back at 1 cent per point as a statement credit or bank deposit Chase's guide to how Ultimate Rewards works. That means 10,000 points equal $100 in an eligible Chase bank account. A statement credit lowers the card balance you must pay for December purchases.
A bank deposit moves cash you can spend on gifts, food, or travel at home. Confirm the destination account qualifies before you submit.
How does Citi Double Cash pay cash?
Double Cash gives cash back you can use for gifts or bills. Citi lists a statement credit in any denomination, direct deposit to checking or savings, or a mailed check with a $5 minimum Citi Double Cash card details. Small balances still help.
A $7 balance can become a statement credit, but it cannot become a mailed check. Move tiny amounts to a credit or deposit.
How do you get cash from Capital One?
Capital One explains you can redeem rewards for cash through a mailed check or statement credit after signing in online or in the app Capital One's guide to redeeming rewards for expenses. Allow a few business days for the credit to appear, so request it in early December. Open the rewards section and pick cash.
Choose check or credit, then confirm the amount.
- Sign in online or in the app.
- Select cash as a check or statement credit.
- Submit early for Christmas spending.
How does American Express handle cash instead of travel?
American Express notes Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for statement credits against eligible purchases through the online dashboard or Amex app American Express guide to earning and redeeming Membership Rewards. Find an eligible holiday purchase, then apply points to lower what you owe. Only eligible purchases qualify, so check the list before you count on points.
Credits appear in the dashboard after you redeem. Use them to offset gifts, then pay any remaining balance by the due date.