Are credit cards with annual fees worth it?

Credit cards with annual fees can be extremely worth it for you depending on your situation. In fact, many credit cards with annual fees offer more value in benefits and perks than the fee you’ll pay. That said, this depends heavily on how much use you’ll get out of these benefits and perks, so be sure to run the numbers for yourself to be sure it makes sense.

Are credit cards with annual fees bad?

Not at all! In fact, many of the best credit cards from a perks and benefits perspective charge an annual fee, and with that can come with benefits like airport lounge access, elite status, complimentary upgrades, annual credits, free night certificates, and more.

How can you offset the annual fee on your credit card?

The easiest way to offset the annual fee on your credit card is by taking full advantage and maximizing all of its benefits. For instance, if a cards annual fee is $199 but comes with $400 worth of credits, then you can come out ahead each year just by taking full advantage of the cards credits before factoring in its other benefits and rewards.

What perks do credit cards with annual fees offer?

Credit cards with annual fees can come with a wide range of perks, with cards charging a higher annual fee usually offering more perks. These can include benefits like annual statement credits, airport lounge access, elite status, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags, and more.

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The Ultimate Guide to Offsetting Credit Card Annual Fees

Updated: October 22, 2025, 2:26pm CDT

Edited by:

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
How Do You Offset a Credit Card Annual Fee?
Benefits that Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Chase Cards
Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular American Express Cards
Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Capital One Cards
How To Offset Annual Fees of Other Popular Cards
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Key Takeaways

To break even on a credit card with an annual fee, you must calculate whether the card’s rewards, perks, and benefits outweigh the fee.
You can calculate the effective annual fee by subtracting the value of statement credits from the annual fee as well as what the other card perks and benefits are worth to you.
Bonus categories like travel and dining can help you accumulate points faster, making the annual fee more justifiable.

Credit cards are one of the easiest ways to get a chunk of your spending back, usually in the form of cash-back, points, or miles rewards. But with a dizzying array of credit cards with various pros and cons, how can you know if a credit card is worth it for your needs?

Most worthwhile credit cards come with an annual fee, though that doesn’t mean that every credit card with an annual fee is worth it.

In this guide, we’ll help you demystify just how much you need to spend on a given credit card for it to be worth it. It’s all about break-even spending!

How Do You Offset a Credit Card Annual Fee?

To calculate the break-even point for a credit card, we’ll look only at how much you have to spend for your rewards to offset the annual fee. This calculation excludes credit card benefits with a subjective valuation (like annual free night certificates). Calculating based on rewards spending, annual fee, and objectively valued benefits offers an apples-to-apples comparison.

For example, a flexible $300 travel credit should be valued as such, while the value of a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership is subject to each member’s travel habits. Using a Priority Pass Select membership 20 times per year is a lot more valuable than using it once a year, for example.

We also won’t look at any welcome bonus offers, because almost all welcome bonus offers make it worthwhile to hold a card for at least a year.

Benefits that Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
5x points on Lyft rides
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with an annual fee of $795. But to help offset that annual fee, it also comes with a variety of helpful statement credits, including:

$300 annual travel credit
$500 annual credit with the Edit, delivered in 2 separate $250 biannual credits (2-night minimum stay required)
$300 annual dining credit and primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, available for booking on OpenTable, delivered in 2 separate $150 biannual credits
$300 annual StubHub credit on concert and event tickets, delivered in 2 separate $150 biannual credits for StubHub and Viagogo
$120 in annual Lyft in-app credits, up to $10 monthly
$300 annually in monthly DoorDash promos and a complimentary DashPass membership worth $120 annually, which includes a $5 restaurant credit and 2 $10 credits to spend on groceries, beauty, electronics, and more (value does not carry over month to month)
$250 annual value through complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music (separate activation required)
Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships

While that certainly is a lot of credits, the overall value of each of them depends on how likely you are to use them. For instance, you might find it fairly easy to use the $300 annual travel credit and $300 annual dining credit, but maybe you seldom use Lyft or DoorDash, meaning those credits aren’t as worthwhile to you.

However, since you have over $2,000 in annual credits here, if you value even half of them at face value or all of them at 50% of their stated value, you still come out ahead on the card’s annual fee before you even start to factor in the value of the rewards you’d earn from your daily purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a mild annual fee of $95. It comes with a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit, which we consider to be worth face value. That means the effective annual fee is $45.

With the ability to earn 3x points on online grocery purchases, dining, and select streaming services, you only need to spend $750 per year to break even on this card.

Similarly, if you earn 5x points on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027) and travel purchased through Chase Travel (excluding the $50 hotel credit), you only need to spend $450 per year to break even.

Lastly, you could spend $1,125 on other travel purchases (2x points) to break even.

Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular American Express Cards

Platinum Card^® from American Express

+ NEW BENEFITS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

$895 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
$100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
$895 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Amex Platinum card is one of the most exclusive cards with tons of luxury travel benefits.

Sure, it has a $895 annual fee, but it also has an incredible range of benefits that deliver lots of value (rates & fees).

For our purposes, we’ll consider the up to $600 prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, up to $209 CLEAR^® Plus credit, and up to $200 Uber Cash benefit to be face value. These credits alone effectively offset the cost of the annual fee. Enrollment might be required for some of these benefits.

The Amex Platinum card earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines, as well as flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com. Note that there is a cap of 5x earnings on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com to up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year (1x thereafter).

Bottom Line:

For this analysis, we excluded a lot of high-value perks and benefits of the Amex Platinum card. For most people interested in luxury travel, it makes sense to keep this card open even if you don’t make a single purchase on the card!

American Express^® Gold Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

$325 annual fee (rates and fees)
No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 100,000 points with the Amex Gold card. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Amex Gold card is one of the best cards out there, thanks to a generous rewards structure.

The card comes with a $325 annual fee (rates & fees), though we subtracted $120 for the up to $10 monthly Uber Cash benefit that can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Enrollment is required, and terms apply.

We’ve also subtracted the $10-per-month dining credit, giving you up to $120 in value per year, since it is quite flexible and can be used at Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is required.

Similarly, we’ve deducted the value of the Resy credit of up to $100, as all it requires is for you to use your Amex Gold card at any restaurant that takes reservations through Resy. That said, we’ve omitted the Dunkin’ credit of up to $84, as it is more limited in usefulness. Enrollment is required for these benefits.

If you maximize the full value of the Uber Cash credit, monthly dining credit, and Resy credit, you can receive up to $340 in annual value — a net of $15 more than the annual fee you’d pay for the card.

In which case, the value from the 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x), 4x points on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x), and up to 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com, is all just a bonus to you.

Bottom Line:

If you can use all of the dining-related credits and perks, then having the Amex Gold card in your wallet is almost a no-brainer!

Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Capital One Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

$395 annual fee
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture X card is quite popular when it comes to premium travel rewards cards since it comes with quite a few excellent perks at a much lower annual fee than many other premium credit cards.

With the Capital One Venture X card, you pay an annual fee of $395. But this annual fee is relatively easy to offset each year thanks to the card’s 10,000 annual bonus points and $300 annual travel credit for purchases made through Capital One Travel.

In fact, if you travel at least once per year, those 2 items combined should offer you at least $400 in annual value, offsetting the annual fee.

Then, when you factor in the other card benefits, such as 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges, it is easy to see why the card is a fan favorite and how simple it is to come out ahead each year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

$95 annual fee
Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

If you’re not in the market for a premium credit card or are just starting your journey in the world of points and miles, then the Capital One Venture card is a good option.

Not only does it have a much lower annual fee of $95, it still comes with a lot of solid perks and benefits to help provide value to cardholders.

For starters, each year you receive a $50 annual experience credit that you can use on bookings made with Lifestyle Collection properties through Capital One Travel. If this is something you think you’ll easily be able to use each year, that effectively lowers the annual fee of the card to $45.

From there, you’d only need to spend $1,250 on the card each year to earn 2,500 miles, which would offset the remaining $45, based on our valuation of Capital One Miles.

However, you’d likely also receive some value out of the other card benefits, like Hertz Five Star status, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, rental car insurance, and access to the Capital One transfer partners.

How To Offset Annual Fees of Other Popular Cards

The card products we discussed above are some of the most popular options on the market, but seeing as this is an ultimate guide, we will provide a breakdown of what credits and benefits will help you offset the annual fee of other top cards.

American Express

Amex Gold Upgraded Points LLC 07 Large — Go Platinum! Image Credit: Upgraded Points

*All information regarding the American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Hot Tip:

Another great way to help offset the annual fees of American Express credit cards is by taking advantage of Amex Offers, which allows you to earn additional cash-back or additional rewards with over 100 select merchants each month.

Capital One

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Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Capital One Venture X Business CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.	$395	2x-10x milesCapital One Venture X Business Card Earn 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel Earn unlimited 2X per dollar miles on every purchase.	$300 annual travel credit (for purchases through Capital One) 10,000 annual bonus points Access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Hertz Presidents Circle status
Capital One Spark Cash Plus CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.	$150	2%-5% cash-backCapital One Spark Cash Plus Card Earn unlimited 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site Earn unlimited 2% cash-back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions	Get your annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000 on the card Earn an additional $2,000 bonus for every $500,000 spent in the first year of holding the card
Capital One Spark Miles for BusinessInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.	$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that	2x-5x milesCapital One Spark Miles for Business Unlimited 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account	Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Hertz Five Star elite status

Chase

Citi

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Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card	$595	1.5x-12x pointsCiti Strata Elite℠ Card Earn 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com Earn 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com Earn 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time Earn 1.5x points on all other purchases	Up to $300 annual hotel credit when you purchase through Citi Travel Up to $200 annual Splurge Credit with select merchants (including 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation) Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit Priority Pass lounge access 4 Admirals Club passes each year Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Qualifying Citigold clients receive a $145 banking relationship statement credit toward their annual fee
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card	$95	1x-10x pointsCiti Strata Premier℠ Card Earn 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3X points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.	$100 annual hotel benefits through Citi Travel (on purchases of $500 or more)
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®	$595	1x-10x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 10x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars Earn 4x AAdvantage^® miles spent on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 5x AAdvantage^® miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year Earn 1x AAdvantage^® miles on all other purchases	American Airlines Admirals Club lounge access Free checked bags Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Up to $120 in annual Lyft credits Up to $120 in annual Grubhub credits Up to $120 in annual Avis or Budget rental credits 25% savings on inflight purchases
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®	$0 intro annual fee, then $99 after the first year	1x to 2x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles at restaurants Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles at gas stations Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 1x AAdvantage^® mile on all other purchases	Free checked bags Priority boarding 25% savings on inflight purchases
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®	$350	1x-6x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^® 6x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels™ bookings. 3x AAdvantage^® miles on American Airlines purchases. 2x AAdvantage^® miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. 2x AAdvantage^® miles on Rides and Rails™ purchases, including taxis, ride-shares, and public transit. 1x AAdvantage^® mile on all other purchases. 1 Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage status for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from qualifying purchases. No mileage cap, the earning potential is unlimited.	4 Admirals Club Globe passes each year Annual Companion Certificate Free checked bags Up to $100 in credits for inflight purchases each year Up to $100 annual Splurge Credit with select merchants (1stDibs, AAdvantage Hotels, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation) Up to $240 in Turo credits each year Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Citi^® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99	1x-2x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations Earn 1x AAdvantage^® miles spent on other purchases	Free checked bags Priority boarding 25% savings on inflight purchases 25% savings on inflight Wi-FI Annual Companion Certificate (after you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year)

Bank of America

BoA offers benefits. Image Credit: sdx15 via Adobe Stock

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Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card	$95	1.5x-2x pointsBank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.	Up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually Up to $120 in airport security statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card	$550	1.5x-2x pointsBank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card Earn unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases	Up to $300 in airline incidental statement credits annually Up to $150 annually for lifestyle conveniences (including video streaming services, food delivery, fitness subscriptions, and ride-sharing services) Up to $120 in airport security statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Priority Pass lounge access
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card	$95	1x-3x milesAlaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.	Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare (annually after you spend $6,000 on the card in a calendar year) Free checked bags 20% back on inflight purchases $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership
Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business credit card	$70 for the company and $25 per card	1x-3x milesAlaska Airlines Visa^® Business Credit Card Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Free Spirit^® Travel More World Elite Mastercard^®	$0 introductory fee for the first year, then $79 thereafter.	1x-3x pointsFree Spirit^® Travel More World Elite Mastercard^® 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Spirit purchases 2 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases	$100 Companion Flight Voucher each anniversary (after making $5,000 in purchases within the prior year) Priority boarding 25% rebate on inflight purchases
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^®	$89	1.5x-3x milesAir France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 3 Miles per $1 spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases Earn 1.5 Miles per $1 spent on all other purchases	5,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary (after you spend $50 or more on purchases within the anniversary year) 20 XP every year on your account anniversary

Barclays

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Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature^® Credit Card	$89	None	7,500 anniversary bonus points One-Way Bundle upgrade (with every $15,000 in purchases) Priority boarding Complimentary Wi-Fi
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard^®	$499	1x-3x milesEmirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard Earn 3 Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates purchases Earn 2 Skywards Miles on eligible travel purchases Earn 1 Skywards Mile on all other purchases	Complimentary Emirates Gold elite status during your first year (retain it by spending $40,000 per year) 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (after $30,000 in spending) 25% discount when you buy or gift miles Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard^®	$99	1x-3x milesEmirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard Earn 3 Skywards Miles for every $1 spent on emirates.com or at the Emirates Sales office. Earn 2 Skywards Miles on eligible travel purchases. Earn 1 Skywards Mile on all other purchases.	Complimentary Emirates Silver elite status during your first year (retain it by spending $20,000 per year) 25% discount when you buy or gift miles
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard^®	$99	1x-5x milesFrontier Airlines World Mastercard^® Earn 5x miles on eligible purchases at flyfrontier.com. Earn 3x miles on eligible restaurant purchases. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.	2 free checked bags Free seat upgrades (if you have Gold elite status Award redemption fee waiver Priority boarding Earn a $100 flight voucher each year (after spending $2,500 or more)
The JetBlue Plus Card	$99	1x-6x pointsThe JetBlue Plus Card Earn 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases Earn 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores Earn 1x points on all other purchases	Free checked bag 10% of your redeemed points back 5,000 anniversary bonus points 50% savings on inflight purchases Receive a $100 statement credit (after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more)
The JetBlue Business Card	$99	1x-6x pointsThe JetBlue Business Card 6x points on JetBlue purchases 2x points at restaurants and office supply stores 1x points on all other purchases
JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard^®	$499	1x-6x pointsJetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard^® 6X points on eligible JetBlue and Paisly purchases 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1X points on all other purchases	Access to Priority Pass and JetBlue lounges Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Up to $300 in statement credits on TrueBlue Travel purchases per calendar year Priority boarding 50% savings on inflight purchases 5,000 anniversary bonus miles 10% of your redeemed points back
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card	$75	1x-6x pointsWyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card Earn 6 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. Earn 4 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target^® and Walmart^®). Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying home office supplies, car repairs, and more are earning you your next great vacation!	Automatic Platinum elite status 10% discount on Wyndham award nights 7,500 anniversary bonus points
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card	$95	1x-8x pointsWyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card Earn 8 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels By Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising services, and utilities. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resorts down payments). That means paying bills, buying office supplies, purchasing inventory, and other business expenses can help you earn your next great vacation!	Automatic Diamond elite status 10% discount on Wyndham award nights 15,000 anniversary bonus points

Wells Fargo

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Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card	$95	1x-5x pointsWells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Earn 5X points on hotels Earn 4X points on airlines Earn 3X points on other travel and restaurants Earn 1X points on other purchases	$50 annual statement credit (with $50 minimum airline purchase)
One Key+™ Card	$99	2%-9% cash-backOne Key+™ Earn up to 9% in OneKeyCash on Expedia and Hotels.com. Earn 5% in OneKeyCash on Vrbo properties in the U.S. Earn 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining. Earn 2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases.	Automatic One Key Gold status $100 in OneKeyCash each year on your card anniversary Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Choice Privileges^® Select Mastercard^®	$95	1x-10x pointsChoice Privileges^® Select Mastercard^® 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels^® properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases. 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services. 1X points on other purchases.	30,000 bonus points each year on your account anniversary Complimentary Choice Privileges Platinum Elite status Automatic 20 Elite night credits each year Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Final Thoughts

Making an informed decision on whether getting a specific credit card is worthwhile can involve a bit of math, along with personal valuations.

Some credit card annual fees will be easier to justify than others, but ultimately, it all comes down to how much you value specific benefits and perks. After all, just because something says it offers a specific dollar amount of value doesn’t mean you get that value out of it if you don’t use it.

This is why it is very important to run your own numbers and consider your own travel habits and preferences when deciding which credit card is right for you.

Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

Card	Annual fee	Earning rates	Credits and benefits to bring annual fee down
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠	$795	1x-8x pointsSapphire Reserve for Business℠ Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027 Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising	$300 annual travel credit $500 annual credit with the Edit $400 ZipRecruiter credit $120 in Lyft credits $200 annual Google Workspace credit $100 in annual credits from Giftcards.com $300 in DoorDash credits Access to Chase Sapphire lounges and Priority Pass lounges Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status
Aer Lingus Visa Signature^® Card	$95	1x-3x pointsAer Lingus Visa Signature^® Card Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and LEVEL. Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases	Economy companion ticket (after you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year)
Aeroplan^® Credit Card	$95	1x-3x pointsAeroplan^® Credit Card Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.	Receive Aeroplan 25K Elite status your first year of card membership (and each year you spend $15,000 on the card) Free checked bags Preferred pricing on flight rewards Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus credit 10% bonus on Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfers
British Airways Visa Signature^® Card	$95	1x-3x pointsBritish Airways Visa Signature^® Card Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL. Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases.	10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S. Up to $600 in reward flight statement credits toward taxes and fees Travel Together Ticket (after you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year)
Iberia Visa Signature^® Card	$95	1x-3x pointsIberia Visa Signature^® Card Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL. Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Earn 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases.	10% discount on Iberia flights starting in the U.S. $1,000 Iberia airfare discount voucher (after you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year)
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card	$99	3x-26x pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.	Anniversary Free Night Award (redeemable at properties costing up to 40,000 points per night) Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (and top-tier Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year) Earn $100 and 10,000 bonus points (after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year) Get your fourth night free on IHG award bookings 20% discount on IHG point purchases (excludes point sales)
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card	$99	3x-26x pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.	Anniversary Free Night Award (redeemable at properties costing up to 40,000 points per night) Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (and top-tier Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year) Earn $100 and 10,000 bonus points (after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year) Get your fourth night free on IHG award bookings 20% discount on IHG point purchases (excludes point sales)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card	$95	2x-17x pointsMarriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card. Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.	Annual Free Night Award (redeemable at properties costing up to 35,000 points per night) Complimentary Marriott Silver Elite status 15 Elite Night Credits
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card	$250	2x-18.5x pointsMarriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card Earn up to 18.5X total points for every $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® Earn 4X points per $1 on the first $15,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores and dining Earn 2X points per $1 spent on other travel purchases Earn 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases	Free Night Award redeemable to properties costing up to 50,000 points (after you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year) 1,000 bonus points per stay Complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status Annual 15 Elite Night Credits
Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card	$299	1x-4x pointsSouthwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card Earn 4X points on Southwest^® purchases Earn 2X points on spend at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap Earn 2X points on all hotel purchases Earn 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services Earn 2X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases (through December 31, 2025) Earn 2X points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services (through December 31, 2025) Earn 1X on all other purchases	Complimentary Preferred seat at booking Free checked bags Complimentary extra-legroom seat upgrades (48 hours prior to departure if available) 25% back on inflight purchases 9,000 anniversary bonus points 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus credit
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card	$99	1x-2x pointsSouthwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card Earn 2X points on Southwest^® purchases. Earn 2X points on the first $5,000 in combined spending at grocery stores and gas stations each anniversary year. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare (through December 31, 2025). Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming (through December 31, 2025). Earn 1X points on all other purchases.	Free checked bags Complimentary Standard seat (within 48 hours of departure if available) 3,000 anniversary bonus points 10% annual flight discount 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year 25% back on inflight purchases
Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business Credit Card	$149	1x-3x pointsSouthwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business Credit Card Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines^® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards^® hotel and car rental partners through December 31, 2025. Earn 2X points on the first $8,000 in combined spend at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year. Earn 2X points on local transit and rideshare through December 31, 2025. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.	Free checked bags Complimentary Preferred or Standard seat (within 48 hours of departure if available) 6,000 anniversary bonus points 15% annual flight discount 25% back on inflight purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card	$149	1x-3x pointsSouthwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card Earn 3X points on Southwest^® purchases. Earn 2X points on the first $8,000 combined spend at grocery stores and restaurants yearly. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare (through December 31, 2025). Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming (through December 31, 2025). Earn 1X points on all other purchases.	Free checked bags Complimentary Preferred or Standard seat (within 48 hours of departure if available) 6,000 anniversary bonus points 15% annual flight discount 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year 25% back on inflight purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card	$229	1x-4x pointsSouthwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card Earn 4X points on Southwest Airlines eligible purchases Earn 2X points at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap Earn 2X points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases (through December 31, 2025) Earn 2X points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases (through December 31, 2025) Earn 2X points per $1 on Rapid Rewards Hotels and Car Rental Partners (through December 31, 2025) Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases	Free checked bags Complimentary Preferred Seat at booking Complimentary extra-legroom seat upgrades (48 hours prior to departure if available) 7,500 anniversary bonus points 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year 25% back on inflight purchases
The New United℠ Business Card	$150	1x-5x milesThe New United℠ Business Card Earn 5x total miles per $1 spent on hotel stays purchased through United^® Hotels Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.	2 United Club one-time passes per year $125 United travel credit annual (after you make 5 United flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year) Up to $100 in credits annually toward United Hotels ($50 biannually) Up to $100 in annual ride-sharing statement credits Up to $50 in United travel credits annually (when you book Avis or Budget car rental directly through cars.united.com) Up to $120 in Instacart credits each calendar year Up to $100 in JSX credits annually Up to $25 in credits on FareLock purchases annually Free checked bags 2 continental U.S. Economy Plus seat upgrades (after spending $25,000 each calendar year) 25% back on inflight purchases
The New United Club℠ Business Card	$695	1.5x-5x milesThe New United Club℠ Business Card Earn 5x miles on stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United^® Cardmembers Earn 2x miles on United purchases Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases	United Club lounge access Free checked bags Up to $200 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts Up to $150 in annual ride-sharing statement credits Up to $240 in Instacart credits each calendar year Up to $100 in United travel credits annually (when you book Avis or Budget car rental directly through cars.united.com) Up to $200 in JSX credits annually Up to $50 in credits on FareLock purchases annually Free checked bags Earn 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades (after spending $40,000 each calendar year) Premier upgrades on award tickets 25% back on inflight purchases
The New United Club℠ Card	$695	1x-4x milesThe New United Club℠ Card Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases	United Club lounge access Free checked bags Up to $200 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts Up to $150 in annual rideshare statement credits Up to $240 in Instacart credits each calendar year Up to $100 in United travel credits annually (when you book Avis or Budget car rental directly through cars.united.com) Up to $200 in JSX credits annually Free checked bags Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount (after $20,000 in purchases up to 2 times each calendar year) Premier upgrades on award tickets 25% back on inflight purchases IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
The New United℠ Explorer Card	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150	1x-5x milesThe New United℠ Explorer Card Earn 5 total miles per $1 spent on hotel stays purchased through United^® Hotels Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United^® purchases Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases	Free checked bags 2 United Club one-time passes per year Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount (after $20,000 in purchases up to 2 times each calendar year) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus Statement credit $100 United credit (after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year) Up to $100 in credits annually toward United Hotels ($50 biannually) Up to $60 in annual ride-sharing statement credits Up to $50 in United travel credits annually (when you book Avis or Budget car rental directly through cars.united.com) Up to $120 in Instacart credits each calendar year Up to $100 in JSX credits annually Premium upgrades on award tickets 25% back on inflight purchases
The New United Quest℠ Card	$350	1x-5x milesThe New United Quest℠ Card Earn 5 miles per $1 on stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases	Annual 10,000-mile discount to use toward an eligible award flight (plus a second after you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year) Earn 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades (after spending $40,000 each calendar year) $200 annual United Travel credit Up to $150 in credits annually toward United Hotels ($50 biannually) Up to $100 in annual ride-sharing statement credits Up to $80 in United travel credits annually (when you book Avis or Budget car rental directly through cars.united.com) Up to $180 in Instacart credits each calendar year Up to $150 in JSX credits annually Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus credit Free checked bags 25% back on inflight purchases
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card	$199	1x-9x pointsWorld of Hyatt Business Credit Card Up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member 2 bonus points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. 2 bonus points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships 1 bonus point per $1 spent on all other purchases.	Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits each year 10% redemption bonus on award stays (after you spend $50,000 in a calendar year, on up to 20,000 points back) Hyatt Leverage membership (up to 15% off standard rates)
The World of Hyatt Credit Card	$95	1x-9x pointsThe World of Hyatt Credit Card Earn up to 9x points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member Earn 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships Earn 1x point per $1 on all other purchases	Annual Free Night Certificate (redeemable at a Category 1-4 hotel, and a second certificate after you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status 5 Elite Qualifying Nights

Key Takeaways

How Do You Offset a Credit Card Annual Fee?

Benefits that Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular American Express Cards

Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

American Express® Gold Card

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee on Popular Capital One Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

How To Offset Annual Fees of Other Popular Cards

American Express

Capital One

Chase

Citi

Bank of America

Barclays

Wells Fargo

Final Thoughts

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Platinum Card^® from American Express

American Express^® Gold Card