11 Credit Cards Worth the Annual Fee

Credit cards with annual fees are ubiquitous, but not all of them are worth the money. Some cards with annual fees have excellent welcome bonuses, benefits, and rewards that make them worth the fee. However, not every card with an annual fee is well suited for your lifestyle. If you’re going to pay an annual fee, make sure you get your money’s worth.

How to Choose Your Credit Cards

We divide credit cards into three categories: daily driver, triple play, and category king.

Daily driver cards are those cards you pull out of your wallet for most purchases. A daily driver should be the first card you carry. They offer a flat cash back rate, usually 2% or so, and the best ones have welcome offers and benefits. While the daily driver cards listed here have an annual fee, it’s worth mentioning that many daily driver cards do not. You can find a list of our favorite credit cards with no annual fees here.

When you’re ready to begin maximizing your rewards, consider adding a triple play credit card to your wallet. Triple play credit cards offer at least 3% cash back in three categories. Common categories for elevated rewards include gas, groceries, dining, streaming, and travel.

Finally, category king cards are the credit cards to consider to complete your 1-2-3 cashback system. Category king cards offer an excellent rate, usually 5% cash back, on one or two categories. Often, these cards have rotating categories that change monthly or quarterly. Some cards offer as much as 6% on a single category, so these cards are an excellent third credit card to maximize cash back in one category.

Daily Driver Cards Worth the Annual Fee

Here’s the list of credit cards worth paying the annual fee that you should consider carrying first. These cards pay elevated rewards on all your everyday purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome Offer

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points

Est. Value

Up to $1,050

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM. 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). 2x points on other travel. 1x points on other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be counted as a daily driver because if you put all or most of your purchases on it, you’ll earn points for travel. These points are worth 25% more when you book travel through Chase Travel^SM.

You also get a 10% anniversary points boost, so if you earn 10,000 points during the year, you’ll get an additional 1,000 points. You can also earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel^SM. If you use the hotel credit every year, that makes the annual fee only $45.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

1x points on all other purchases

2x points

Travel

2x points on all other travel purchases

3x points

U.S. supermarkets

Earn 3x points on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)

3x points

Streaming services

Earn 3x points on select streaming services

3x points

Dining

3x points on dining

5x points

Travel

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Up to 5x points

Cons

Annual fee
High APR
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	05/20/2024	750	Not Provided	$7,500
Approved	05/02/2024	797	Experian	$22,500
Approved	05/02/2024	848	TransUnion	$22,500
Approved	06/03/2024	716	Not Provided	$5,000
Approved	03/04/2024	590	Not Provided	$5,000
Approved	01/30/2024	645	Equifax	$9,000
Approved	01/30/2024	645	TransUnion	$9,000
Approved	01/30/2024	666	Experian	$9,000
Approved	05/06/2024	832	Not Provided	---
Approved	05/06/2024	833	Not Provided	---
Denied	01/04/2024	783	Not Provided	---
Denied	04/18/2024	707	Equifax	---
Denied	04/18/2024	714	Experian	---
Denied	01/17/2024	795	Not Provided	---
Denied	05/29/2024	727	Not Provided	---
Denied	06/12/2024	770	Not Provided	---

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

75,000 Miles

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% – 29.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on other purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers elevated rewards on every purchase. There’s also an excellent welcome offer, a reasonable annual fee, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Another selling point is that there are no restrictions on travel purchases: you can use your miles for any travel purchase, on any airline, at any hotel. This sets it apart from co-branded hotel rewards cards or airline rewards cards, while still earning 2x miles on every purchase.

2x miles

All eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day

5x miles

Select Categories

Earn 5x miles on vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles

Hotels

Earn 5x miles on hotels booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles

Rental Cars

Earn 5x miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 5x miles

Cons

Annual fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	07/11/2023	686	TransUnion	$5,000
Approved	07/11/2023	688	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	07/11/2023	691	Experian	$5,000
Approved	04/19/2024	783	Experian	$3,000
Approved	04/19/2024	803	Equifax	$3,000

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Est. Value

Up to $1,312.50

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% – 29.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent

Rewards: Earn 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 2x miles on other purchases.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best all-around credit cards, let alone luxury ones, on the market today. If you travel often and want to earn miles with every card swipe, the base rewards of 2x miles makes this card a great daily driver.

In addition, the card charges a lower annual fee than most premium travel cards, and the $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel almost wipes it out. You get access to Priority Pass lounges, and you can get 10,000 bonus miles on your cardmember anniversary. You can save these points any year you don’t use them, which makes this a valuable benefit.

2x miles

On all other eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases

5x miles

Select Categories

Earn 5x miles on vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles

Airfare

Earn 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel

10x miles

Hotels

Earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels booked through Capital One Travel

10x miles

Rental Cars

Earn unlimited 10x miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 10x miles on purchases

Cons

Annual fee
Requires excellent credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/28/2024	791	Experian	$30,000
Approved	04/08/2023	730	Not Provided	---
Approved	04/25/2024	634	Not Provided	$3,000
Approved	04/25/2024	650	Not Provided	$3,000
Approved	04/25/2024	666	Not Provided	$3,000
Approved	10/11/2023	820	Equifax	$20,000
Approved	10/11/2023	828	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	10/11/2023	830	Experian	$20,000
Approved	10/03/2023	800	Not Provided	$20,000
Approved	04/11/2024	696	TransUnion	$15,000
Approved	04/11/2024	702	Equifax	$15,000
Approved	04/11/2024	728	Experian	$15,000
Approved	05/27/2024	820	Experian	$30,000
Approved	07/12/2023	677	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	08/08/2023	735	Experian	$10,000
Approved	08/08/2023	739	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	08/08/2023	741	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	11/04/2023	715	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	11/04/2023	717	Experian	$20,000
Approved	09/18/2023	813	Not Provided	$20,000
Approved	03/06/2023	720	Experian	$20,000
Approved	03/06/2023	732	Equifax	$20,000
Approved	03/06/2023	735	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	05/09/2024	758	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	09/13/2023	719	Not Provided	$15,000
Approved	01/23/2024	822	TransUnion	$30,000
Approved	01/23/2024	827	Experian	$30,000
Approved	12/03/2023	734	Equifax	$20,000
Approved	12/03/2023	744	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	12/03/2023	758	Experian	$20,000
Approved	09/27/2023	741	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	12/14/2023	750	Experian	$10,000
Approved	10/19/2023	776	Not Provided	$20,000
Approved	04/10/2024	705	Experian	$30,000
Denied	04/23/2024	815	Not Provided	---
Denied	09/12/2023	761	Experian	---
Denied	09/12/2023	776	Equifax	---
Denied	09/12/2023	787	TransUnion	---
Denied	12/31/2023	741	TransUnion	---
Denied	12/31/2023	775	Equifax	---
Denied	12/05/2023	754	TransUnion	---
Denied	12/05/2023	769	Experian	---
Denied	12/05/2023	777	Equifax	---
Denied	04/03/2024	760	Not Provided	---

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Welcome Offer

50,000 bonus points

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$400

APR

21.74% – 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 3x points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay); 1x points on all other eligible purchases.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a travel rewards card offering elevated rewards on travel and mobile wallet purchases. This card is perfect for you if you’re just getting into the rewards travel game and don’t want to fuss with how to redeem your points. You get 3x points per dollar everywhere when you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. And points are worth 1.5 cents when you redeem them for travel through the U.S. Bank portal.

There’s also a $325 in annual travel and dining credits, making the annual fee effectively $75.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

1x point on all other purchases

3x points

Select Categories

3x points on purchases made with a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)

3x points

Travel

3x points on eligible purchases from merchants who classify their business as a travel category (such as purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies)

5x points

Hotels

5x points on prepaid hotels booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center

5x points

Rental Cars

5x points on car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 5x points

Cons

Annual fee
High APR
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	08/25/2022	743	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	08/25/2022	753	Experian	$10,000
Approved	08/25/2022	799	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	10/07/2022	828	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	12/17/2021	715	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	12/17/2021	771	Experian	$10,000
Approved	01/30/2023	747	Experian	$15,000
Approved	03/13/2019	799	TransUnion	$25,000
Approved	01/30/2024	760	Not Provided	$10,000

Triple Play Credit Cards Worth the Annual Fee

Ready to pair your daily driver credit card with a triple play card? Below is the list of credit cards that earn at least 3% cash back or 3x points or miles on at least three categories.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn a $250 statement credit

Est. Value

$250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

18.74% – 29.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Rewards: Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services and on groceries up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%. Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 a year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%. After that, you can always switch to a different card. But this card also offers 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions with no cap, and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit. American Express has a lengthy list of what counts as streaming. For example, if you make a purchase through the app store, (even a new iPhone), you can get 6% cash back (at least according to Reddit users).

There’s also an $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.

Plus, the card’s annual fee is waived for the first year, and there’s a 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then 18.74% - 29.74% variable APR. All of this makes this a great card for everyday purchases.

Terms Apply.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

1% cash back on all other purchases

3% cash back

Gas

3% cash back at U.S. gas stations

3% cash back

Transit

3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)

6% cash back

U.S. supermarkets

6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%

6% cash back

Streaming services

6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions

Pros

Welcome offer
Up to 6% cash back

Cons

Annual fee
High APR
Foreign transaction fee

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	01/19/2023	825	Not Provided	$6,000
Approved	05/04/2023	738	Experian	$20,000
Approved	05/04/2023	748	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	05/04/2023	755	Equifax	$20,000

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★★☆

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Est. Value

Up to $900

Annual Fee

$550

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent

Rewards: Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights when you purchase these through Chase Travel^SM after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x points on other eligible purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card with the premium credits you would expect for the cost. For one thing, points on this card are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel^SM, so the welcome offer can be worth up to $900. There’s a $300 annual travel credit, and Chase has excellent transfer partners, making your points potentially worth even more. For those who travel at least a few times a year, this card is a good bet.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

3x points

Dining

Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.

5x points

Travel

Earn 5x points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel(SM) immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

10x points

Travel

10x on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel(SM) immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 10x points
Excellent statement credits
Transfer points to Chase travel partners

Cons

Annual fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/08/2023	720	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	05/08/2023	830	Experian	$27,000
Approved	02/06/2023	677	Experian	$10,700
Approved	04/19/2023	806	Experian	$18,600
Approved	04/19/2023	810	Equifax	$18,600
Approved	04/19/2023	823	TransUnion	$18,600
Approved	08/03/2023	700	TransUnion	$15,000
Approved	09/30/2023	698	Experian	$25,500
Approved	09/30/2023	730	TransUnion	$25,500
Approved	09/30/2023	733	Equifax	$25,500
Approved	09/30/2023	766	Equifax	$25,500
Approved	12/14/2023	750	Experian	$10,000
Approved	03/22/2023	719	Equifax	$21,700
Approved	03/22/2023	752	TransUnion	$21,700
Approved	03/22/2023	789	Experian	$21,700
Approved	01/07/2023	821	Experian	$25,000
Approved	01/07/2023	828	TransUnion	$25,000
Approved	01/07/2023	838	Equifax	$25,000
Approved	10/23/2023	751	Experian	$10,000
Approved	10/23/2023	785	TransUnion	$10,000
Denied	10/19/2023	749	TransUnion	---
Denied	10/19/2023	765	Experian	---

American Express® Gold Card

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.8

★★★★★☆

American Express® Gold Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

60,000 points + earn up to $100 back

Est. Value

Up to $1,300

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Rewards: Earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4x points at U.S. Supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1x points. Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

Not only does the American Express® Gold Card offer rewards at restaurants, but there are also a number of credits that make this card worth the annual fee. There’s a $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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. You can also get $120 Uber Cash: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Plus, American Express often has special offers available for enrollment for cardholders in the American Express app. And there’s a great welcome offer.

Terms Apply.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

2x points

Hotels

Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.

3x points

Airfare

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.

4x points

U.S. supermarkets

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.

4x points

Dining

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.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 4x points
Excellent dining credit

Cons

Annual fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	06/13/2023	699	TransUnion	$1,750
Approved	02/03/2024	688	Equifax	---
Approved	02/03/2024	690	Experian	---
Approved	02/03/2024	731	TransUnion	---
Approved	02/27/2023	700	Experian	---

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.6

★★★★★☆

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Welcome Offer

125,000 bonus points

Est. Value

$1,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% to 27.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent 740 – 850

Rewards: Earn up to 17x points at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®; plus 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining; and 2x points on all other purchases.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a great card for those who prefer to stay at Marriott-branded hotels. The welcome offer gets you three free nights, plus you get a Free Night Award every year after your cardmember anniversary (Valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.) You automatically qualify for silver elite status (good for complimentary in-room internet access, priority late checkout, and 10% more points on every hotel purchase), and there are no foreign transaction fees.

All information about Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by allCards.com. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is no longer available through allCards.com.

2x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

3x points

U.S. supermarkets

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.

3x points

Dining

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.

3x points

Gas

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.

17x points

Hotels

Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Earn a free night every year

Cons

High APR
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/25/2022	798	Experian	$10,000
Approved	12/22/2023	755	Not Provided	---
Approved	08/12/2023	800	Experian	$5,000
Approved	09/02/2023	747	Not Provided	$10,500
Approved	02/22/2023	801	Experian	$12,000
Approved	03/16/2022	747	Experian	$5,100
Approved	03/16/2022	756	Not Provided	$5,100
Approved	03/16/2022	765	Not Provided	$5,100
Approved	09/14/2023	700	Not Provided	---
Approved	03/01/2024	761	Experian	$6,500
Approved	01/11/2024	810	Not Provided	---
Approved	07/28/2022	825	Experian	$23,300
Approved	04/26/2022	720	Experian	$6,000
Approved	06/09/2022	611	Not Provided	$9,500
Denied	09/04/2023	704	Experian	---
Denied	09/04/2023	723	Equifax	---
Denied	09/04/2023	723	TransUnion	---
Denied	09/04/2023	754	TransUnion	---

Category King Cards Worth the Annual Fee

The cards below can help maximize your rewards. You’ll find each one earns high cash back, points, or miles on at least one category.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Learn More

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Est. Value

Up to $1,600

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases each calendar year, and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Earn 1x points on other purchases. Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express qualifies as a category king card because it excels as a high-end travel reward card. Flights and prepaid hotels earn up to 5x points per dollar. True, there is a list of benefits and credits as long as your arm, but many of those credits are travel credits:

$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.

To make the most of the card and to justify the high fee you’ll need to travel a few times a year and use at least a few of the credits. And if you love to travel, you’ll love the airport lounge access you can get with this card.

Terms Apply.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

1x points on other eligible purchases

5x points

Airfare

5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year

5x points

Hotels

5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Excellent annual credits
Lounge access
Up to 5x points

Cons

Annual fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/25/2024	649	Not Provided	---
Approved	03/20/2024	800	Not Provided	---
Approved	04/28/2023	812	Equifax	---
Approved	04/28/2023	820	TransUnion	---
Approved	04/28/2023	825	Experian	---
Approved	08/16/2023	698	Equifax	$25,000
Approved	08/16/2023	709	Experian	$25,000
Approved	08/16/2023	728	TransUnion	$25,000
Approved	12/11/2023	695	TransUnion	---
Approved	12/11/2023	713	Experian	---
Approved	12/11/2023	714	Equifax	---
Approved	01/04/2023	696	Not Provided	---
Approved	06/21/2023	700	Not Provided	---
Approved	01/23/2023	675	Not Provided	$6,000
Approved	11/01/2023	683	Experian	---
Approved	11/01/2023	703	TransUnion	---
Approved	11/01/2023	718	Equifax	---
Approved	08/17/2023	737	TransUnion	---
Approved	08/17/2023	742	Equifax	---
Approved	08/17/2023	758	Experian	---
Approved	05/29/2024	680	Experian	---

United℠ Explorer Card

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Our Rating: 4.3

★★★★★☆

United℠ Explorer Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles

Est. Value

Up to $700

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

APR

21.99% – 28.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 2x miles on United purchases, hotel accommodations, and dining. Earn 1x miles on other purchases.

The United℠ Explorer Card is great for loyal United fliers, especially if you live near a United hub. It has decent rewards and travel perks. There’s a welcome offer and $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. You also get two United Club one-time passes each year for your anniversary, and your first checked bag is free (a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip). Terms Apply. This all by itself justifies the annual fee.

1x miles

On all other eligible purchases

1x miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

2x miles

Airfare

2x miles on United purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, and inflight purchases

2x miles

Hotels

2x miles per dollar spent on hotel accommodations

2x miles

Dining

2x miles per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Earn up to 2 miles per $1

Cons

Annual fee
High APR

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/11/2023	767	Not Provided	$13,700
Approved	02/03/2023	819	Experian	$5,000
Approved	06/28/2023	735	Experian	$7,200
Approved	06/28/2023	745	Equifax	$7,200
Approved	06/28/2023	755	TransUnion	$7,200
Denied	05/18/2023	770	Not Provided	---

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

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Our Rating: 4.4

★★★★★☆

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

Est. Value

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.49% to 29.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 14x points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 7x points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Earn 7x points on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. Earn 7x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 3x points for each dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is for people who are loyal to the Hilton brand. Cardholders get complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status and Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal. You can also get a $400 Hilton Resort credit, a $200 Flight Credit, a $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit, and other travel benefits. There is also a generous welcome offer and ongoing rewards. We put it in the category king slot because if you’re not loyal to Hilton, it’s hard to justify the annual fee on this card.

Terms Apply.

3x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 3x points for each dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

7x points

Rental Cars

Earn 7x points on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies.

7x points

Travel

Earn 7x points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com.

7x points

Dining

Earn 7x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

14x points

Hotels

Earn 14x points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 14x points

Cons

High APR
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/25/2021	744	TransUnion	$7,400
Approved	04/25/2021	745	Experian	$7,400
Approved	04/25/2021	749	Equifax	$7,400
Approved	10/12/2020	732	Experian	$5,000

Summary

Life is full of fees. If you’re going to get a credit card with an annual fee, make sure the value and benefits you get justify the cost. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and spending habits.