Table of Contents
Some credit cards might have hefty annual fees, but the benefits they provide can far outweigh the cost—if you maximize them. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best no-brainer cards, showing how much value you can get compared to the annual fee.
Flexible Rewards Cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 Annual Fee)
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $200 Uber Cash ($15 per month + $35 in December)
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit ($20 per month for services like Disney+, Hulu, and The New York Times)
- $200 Hotel Credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection)
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually)
- $199 CLEAR Plus Credit
- Total Value: $1,129+
Even before considering lounge access, elite status perks, and the 5x points on flights, you’re getting significantly more than the annual fee. Also noteworthy, is either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
American Express® Gold Card ($325 Annual Fee)
- $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month)
- $120 Dining Credit ($10 per month at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, and more)
- $100 Resy Credit (you don’t need to book thru resy to get the credit)
- $84 Dunkin’ Credit ($7 per month for Dunkin’ Rewards reloads)
- Total Value: $424
This card is a no-brainer if you dine out or order delivery frequently, with strong 4x earnings on dining and groceries.
American Express® Green ($150 Annual Fee)
- $189 CLEAR Plus Credit
- Total Value: $189
If you use CLEAR for expedited airport security, this card essentially pays you to have it.
American Express Business Platinum ($695 Annual Fee)
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $400 Dell Credits ($200 semi-annually, ending June 30, 2025)
- $360 Indeed Credit ($90 per quarter)
- $150 Adobe Credit (ending June 30, 2025)
- $120 Wireless Credit ($10 per month)
- $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit (every 4/4.5 years)
- Lounge Access (Centurion, Priority Pass, and more)
- Total Value: $1,330+ (before June 30, 2025), $720+ (after June 30, 2025). And I bet that Amex will replace the benefits that are ending on June 30th with new ones.
With the Dell and Adobe credits ending, the value proposition shifts after June 30, but it remains strong for frequent business travelers who utilize lounge access and airline credits.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 Annual Fee)
- $300 Annual Travel Credit (To be used through the Capital One Travel portal)
- 10,000 Anniversary Miles (~$100 in travel value)
- Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge Access
- Total Value: $400+
The $300 travel credit alone makes up for the annual fee, and the anniversary miles push it into no-brainer territory.
Capital One Venture X Business ($395 Annual Fee)
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
- 10,000 Anniversary Miles (~$100 in travel value)
- Total Value: $400+
Same as the personal Venture X, but tailored for business owners.
The Points Mom’s Got IT!
Hotel Cards
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Card ($550 Annual Fee)
- $400 Hilton Resort Credits ($200 semi-annually)but as of recently, there are limited resorts in which you can use these resort credits. You can see that list here.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit ($50 per quarter on ANY airline charge)
- Free Night Award (worth $500+ at many properties)
- Hilton Diamond Status (free breakfast, room upgrades, lounge access)
- Total Value: $1100+
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 Annual Fee)
- $300 Annual Dining Credit ($25 per month)
- Free Night Award (up to 85K points, worth $400+ at luxury properties)
- Marriott Platinum Status (free breakfast, upgrades, lounge access)
- Total Value: $700+
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 Annual Fee)
- Free Night Award (worth up to 35K points, typically valued at $200+)
- Total Value: $200+
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card ($125 Annual Fee)
- Free Night Award (worth up to 35K points, typically valued at $200+)
- Total Value: $200+
World of Hyatt Credit Card ($95 Annual Fee)
- Free Night Award (Category 1-4, typically worth $150–$250)
- Total Value: $150+
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99 Annual Fee)
- Free Night Award (worth up to 40K points, typically valued at $200+)
- Fourth Night Free on Award Stays
- Total Value: $200+
Hilton Surpass ($150 Annual Fee)
- $200 Hilton Statement Credit ($50 per quarter on Hilton purchases)
- Total Value: $200
Selfies are always better-
When Your Vacation is Free!
Airline Cards
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card ($350 Annual Fee)
- Companion Certificate (Domestic main cabin round-trip, worth ~$400+)
- Free Checked Bag ($60 round-trip per person)
- Total Value: $460+
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card ($650 Annual Fee)
- Companion Certificate (First-class, Comfort+, or main cabin, worth $600+)
- Sky Club Access
- Total Value: $1,000+
If you can use the companion pass, these cards easily pay for themselves.
Bottom Line
For frequent travelers, these cards make financial sense. If you maximize the benefits, you can come out well ahead despite the annual fees. By carefully selecting the right mix of cards, you can travel in luxury while saving thousands each year.
Related posts:
Upon Annual Renewal, If Citi Will Negotiate Your Annual Fee, Make Sure You Pay It First And Then Get The Credit Back
If You Are Going To Try To Downgrade A Card To A No Fee Card, Call When You First Get The Bill For The Annual Fee
Citi Offers Me Easy Task In Exchange For A Credit Back Of My $95 Annual Fee
I Knocked $75 Off My $95 Annual Fee On My CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select World MasterCard
