Should I Pay a Credit Card Annual Fee?

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When you look for a new credit card, it's important to consider each option as a whole instead of just looking at the sign-up bonus and rewards program. As part of your research, it's also important to consider a card's annual fee.

But a credit card annual fee isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, even if you're on a budget. The key is to determine if the card offers enough value to make up for the annual fee and still provide enough value to beat out a no-fee credit card. 

Here are some situations where it might make sense to consider annual fee cards and how to determine if one is right for you.

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Your Credit Needs Some Work

If your credit history is considered poor, fair or limited or you have no credit history at all, a lot of the credit card options available to you charge an annual fee.

That's not to say you can't find a credit card for bad credit or fair credit without an annual fee. But depending on your situation, it may be the best option.

Poor or No Credit

If you have poor credit or you haven't had the chance to build your credit history, there are a lot of secured credit cards that don't charge an annual fee. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Secured Mastercard® from Capital One are just two examples.

But most credit cards require that you have a bank account, so you can make your monthly payments. If you don't have one, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card may be a good fit. The card may also be a good option if your credit has so many negative marks that you can't even qualify for another secured card.

This is because the card doesn't require a credit check when you apply, and it also doesn't require that you have a bank account. The card's annual fee is $35, but that can be worth it to start rebuilding your credit.

Fair Credit

If your credit is considered fair, one of the best cards available is an annual fee credit card. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make — a rewards rate that rivals some of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. 

However, the flat-rate card charges a $39 annual fee. In order to make up for it in cash back, you'd have to spend at least $2,600 every year. Beyond that, all the cash back you earn is effectively a profit, as long as you don't pay interest.

The Annual Fee Is Waived the First Year

While it's not as common as it used to be, there are still some travel rewards cards that waive the annual fee the first year.

This setup allows you to essentially test-drive the rewards card for a whole year to determine if it's a good fit for you. It's also a good incentive to apply for a card when you compare it to a similar card that doesn't waive the fee during the first year.

Here are just a few annual fee credit cards that waive the fee for the first year:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• United Explorer Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
• Spark Miles from Capital One
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard

Of course, you'll still want to look at each card's long-term value before you sign up. It can have a negative impact on your credit score if you apply for a card and only keep it for a year, then replace it with another one.

That said, getting the chance to test out a card before you have to pay an annual fee can help you determine if it's the right move for you.

The Rewards Are Better Than a No Annual Fee Card

In many cases, it makes sense to pay an annual fee because the card's rewards program is so strong that it provides more value even than credit cards with no annual fee in its class.

For example, let's take the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It offers an incredible 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%). You won't find that cash-back rewards rate anywhere else, and it's so high that if you can max out that bonus category alone, it's better than just about any no annual fee card you can find.

And that's not even considering the rewards card's other rates, which include 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on transit and at U.S. gas stations and 1% back on other purchases. 

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The card also offers a 0% intro APR feature, which is actually rare for annual fee cards. Compared with the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, it's a no-brainer.  

Here are a couple of other instances where it may make sense to opt for the card with the annual fee because of its higher rewards rates on bonus categories or on everything:

• The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card over the Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card.
• The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card over the Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card.

If you're trying to choose between cards like this based on rewards, consider running the numbers for your specific spending habits to determine which card will give you the most value after annual fees are paid. 

The Welcome Bonus Far Outweighs the Fee

In many cases, rewards credit cards offer ongoing rewards on everyday purchases and a welcome bonus when you first open your account.

As a new cardholder, you'll typically earn a lump sum of cash back, points or miles after you meet a certain spending requirement. In many cases, the value of that bonus is enough to cover the annual fee for several years.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers a generous outsized bonus after new cardholders spend a certain amount in the first three months from account opening. That bonus is worth hundreds of dollars in free travel when you book through Chase. The travel rewards-earning card also charges a $95 annual fee, but that sign-up bonus is enough to cover the fee for many years. 

That's an extreme example, but it's not uncommon to find a travel credit card that offers a welcome bonus worth $500 or more and charges an annual fee under $100. 

As you're comparing annual fee cards with sign-up bonuses, consider how long each card's upfront incentive will cover the cost of the card's annual fee.

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The Perks Outweigh the Cost

In some cases, you don't even need to worry about whether a card's sign-up bonus or ongoing rewards program is enough to make its annual fee worth it. 

Hotel Credit Cards

For example, hotel credit card annual fees are generally easy to justify because many of them offer a free night certificate every year when you pay your annual fee (typically starting after the first year). 

To give you an idea of how that works, let's consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card. The card charges a $95 annual fee but also offers a free night worth up to 35,000 points as an anniversary benefit. 

According to our points and miles value guide, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents apiece, which means those 35,000 points are worth $245 on an average redemption — that's nearly three times the value of the annual fee. And if you're savvy about finding the right redemptions, you could get even more value.

For example, one time, I booked a Marriott hotel near Times Square that cost $450 per night, but I paid nothing with my free night certificate. 

These co-branded credit cards can be extremely valuable despite their annual fees, which is why I have eight hotel rewards cards.

Premium Travel Credit Cards

Some top-tier travel credit cards charge sky-high annual fees. But depending on your travel habits, you could get far more value than what you pay every year in perks alone.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the golden example of this. The card charges a $695 annual fee, but here's a list of statement credits and other benefits you can take advantage of on a yearly basis:

• $200 airline fee credit: You can get up to $200 in statement credits each year for airline incidental fees, which include things like checked baggage and inflight food and drinks.
• $200 Uber Cash benefit: You'll get up to $15 per month ($35 in December) in Uber Cash, which you can use to pay for Uber rides or order delivery from Uber Eats.
• $240 digital entertainment credit: That's up to $20 in statement credits for subscription fees for Peacock, The New York Times, Audible and Sirius XM.
• $200 hotel credit: You'll get up to $200 in statement credits annually when you use your card to book select prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel.
• $300 Equinox credit: Cardholders can get a $25 statement credit every month when they use their card to pay for select monthly memberships with the high-end gym.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: You'll get a statement credit worth up to $100 every four years when you apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• $100 Shop with Saks credit: You'll get a statement credit worth up to $50 every six months when you use your card to shop at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com.
• CLEAR membership: When you sign up for CLEAR, a service that offers access to expedited airport security, you'll get a statement credit worth up to $179 to cover the membership fee. The same goes for every year when you redeem your membership.

With these perks alone, you're getting more than $1,400 in value, which can make the annual fee feel like a money-saving expense more than anything else. And that's not even including the card's other premium benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and more.

Of course, you have to use those perks regularly to make the annual fee worthwhile. But if your spending and travel habits align with the perks, the annual fee may feel like a no-brainer.

Other Credit Card Fees to Watch Out for

A credit card's annual fee is an important consideration when you're trying to decide if you should apply. But it's not the only cost to keep in mind. Here are some others:

• Fees for balance transfers: Many no annual fee cards offer balance transfers with a 0% intro APR. This promotion for balance transfers can last up to 20 months or billing cycles, depending on the card. However, you'll typically have to pay an upfront balance transfer fee to process it. That fee can range from 3% to 5% of your balance transfers. Also, remember that the regular APR will be charged once the balance transfer promotion ends.
• Foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, which can cost up to 3% of every purchase you make abroad. The good news is that most travel credit cards waive the fee, so you don't have to worry about them. Also, some credit card issuers like Capital One and Discover waive foreign transaction fees on all their cards.
• Cash advance fees: If you use your card at an ATM or the teller counter at a bank to get cash, you'll typically be charged a cash advance fee. This fee can be higher than a balance transfer fee. Also, the variable APR for cash advances is generally higher than the regular APR for purchases, and interest starts accruing immediately. In other words, it's best to avoid cash advances.
• Late fees: On-time payments are always ideal, but if you miss a payment or have one returned because you don't have enough cash in your checking account, you may be charged a late fee. Depending on the card, it can cost up to $40.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are annual fee credit cards worth it?

  Yes, many credit cards that require payment of an annual fee hold more value in rewards and benefits than you spend in the annual fee. However, the value vs. cost is dependent on the credit card, your spending habits, and ultimately what you deem to be valuable in terms of non-monetary benefits like airport lounge access.

• Why do credit cards have annual fees?

  Credit cards issuers that offer the most competitive rewards, benefits and incentives will charge an annual fee to offset the cost that comes with providing those perks.

• When do you pay the annual fee for your credit card?

  On the anniversary of account opening is when credit card issuers typically charge you for your annual fee. However, every credit card and credit card issuer has their own requirements. Check with your issuer for your exact annual fee payment date.

• Are credit cards with no annual fee good?

  Yes, credit cards that have no annual fee still have the ability to provide exceptional value and benefit to their users. For example, some fee-free rewards cards can still offer competitive cash back just as fee-free travel cards can still offer competitive ways to earn miles.

  However, credit cards that charge an annual fee tend to offer above average rewards, benefits and perks which is why there is a fee implemented. it's a way to offset cost for the issuer.