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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
13 credit cards that can get you $1,500 or more in first-year value
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
also contributed to this story
October 12, 2026 • 33 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Many rewards cards with an annual fee can deliver over $1,500 in first-year value through statement credits, welcome offers and quantifiable perks.
The article analyzes top cards by calculating net value after subtracting the annual fee from all measurable benefits, using TPG's October 2026 valuations.
Benefits considered include statement credits for travel, dining, hotels, digital services and application fee reimbursements for programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Cards not on the list may still offer strong value depending on individual spending and benefit usage.
What to consider
Valuations are based only on quantifiable perks, excluding less tangible benefits like lounge access or elite status.
Some credits require enrollment or specific types of purchases, and certain benefits may have restrictions or require activation within set periods.
Welcome offer values can vary and eligibility for these offers is not guaranteed.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which specific benefits and credits contribute most to each card's first-year value, helping you match options to your spending habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
As credit card annual fees continue to climb, it's natural to start questioning how much value you're getting from adding a new card to your wallet. This is especially true since multiple cards out there charge no annual fee.
However, there can be solid reasons to pay an annual fee. Many popular rewards cards come with an annual fee but provide outsize value in the form of statement credits, welcome bonuses and other quantifiable perks.
Let's examine our top cards, which actually provide more than $1,500 in value in your first year of card membership.
Methodology
Here are the four factors we considered to arrive at these values:
Welcome offer: We assigned a dollar amount to a card's welcome offer based on TPG's October 2026 valuations.
Annual statement credits: We counted credits toward travel, dining, resort stays and other categories.
Quantifiable perks and benefits: We added benefits that can be assigned a specific dollar amount. This means we excluded factors that aren't as quantifiable, such as lounge access and elite status. We also excluded anniversary benefits that only apply to the second year of card membership.
Annual fee: We subtracted the annual fee from the card's overall value. Even after subtracting this amount, all the cards listed still provide more than $1,500 in first-year value.
Finally, note that just because a card didn’t make this list doesn’t mean it can’t provide this type of value. Cards not on this list can provide value on a case-by-case basis.
*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG's October 2026 valuations and is not provided by or reviewed by the issuer.
Now that we've introduced the 13 cards providing at least $1,500 in first-year value, let's dive into the specifics to help you decide which is best for you.
Most benefits come as statement credits, many of which specifically connect to business-related expenses.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome bonus
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer
Up to $6,000^
Dell Technologies credit
Up to $150 back in statement credits on U.S. purchases directly with Dell Technologies and an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 on purchases with Dell each calendar year**
Up to $1,150
Hotel credit
Up to $600 each calendar year (up to $300 in semiannual statement credits) on prepaid bookings with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection^^ properties made through American Express Travel®; The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay
Up to $600
Indeed credit
Up to $360 each calendar year (up to $90 in quarterly statement credits) on U.S. Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services to post open positions and find talent**
Up to $360
ChatGPT Business credit
Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business subscriptions (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $300
Adobe credit
$250 annual statement credit after spending $600 on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe each calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)**
$250
Clear+ credit
Up to $219 statement credit toward an annual Clear+ membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $219
Airline fee credit on one selected airline
Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on incidentals, such as checked bags and inflight refreshments, on one selected airline
Up to $200
Hilton credit
Up to $200 each calendar year (up to $50 in statement credits per quarter) for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton; separate enrollment in Hilton for Business required**
Up to $200
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
$120 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4 years**
Up to $120
Wireless credit
Up to $120 each calendar year (up to $10 in statement credits per month) for purchases made with U.S. wireless telephone service providers**
Up to $120
^Per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
**Enrollment is required.
^^Eligible charges vary by property.
The American Express Platinum Card is one of the best travel cards available for luxury travelers because of its extensive lineup of perks.
THE POINTS GUY
These quantifiable benefits are only part of the equation.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer
Up to $3,500^
Hotel credit
Up to $600 each calendar year (up to $300 in semiannual statement credits) on prepaid bookings with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection^^ properties made through American Express Travel; The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Up to $600
Resy credit
Up to $400 each calendar year (up to $100 in quarterly statement credits) for Resy purchases in the U.S.**
Up to $400
Digital entertainment credit
Up to $300 each calendar year (up to $25 in monthly statement credits) for select digital entertainment and streaming services**
Up to $300
Lululemon credit
Up to $300 each calendar year (up to $75 in quarterly statement credits) for Lululemon purchases online and in U.S. stores, excluding outlets**
Up to $300
Equinox credit
Up to $300 in annual statement credits for select Equinox memberships, including the app (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $300
Clear+ credit
Up to $219 toward an annual Clear+ membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $219
Uber Cash
Up to $200 each calendar year (up to $15 per month, plus an additional up to $20 in December) toward U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders#
Up to $200
Airline incidental credit on one selected airline
Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on incidentals, such as checked bags and inflight refreshments, on one selected airline**
Up to $200
Oura Ring hardware credit
Up to $200 in annual statement credits for hardware purchase with Oura Ring each calendar year**
Up to $200
Walmart+ credit
Up to $155 each calendar year (up to $12.95 in monthly statement credits) for one recurring Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; plus applicable taxes); Plus Up benefits are not eligible
Up to $155
Uber One membership
Up to $120 statement credit each calendar year that fully covers an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership**
Up to $120
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits
$120 credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four years**
Up to $120
^Per TPG's valuations.
**Enrollment is required.
#Add your qualifying Amex card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
^^Eligible charges vary by property.
Chase's premium business card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, is oriented toward high-spending business owners who could maximize the multiple credits offered by the product.
THE POINTS GUY
Many of the benefits are statement credits toward purchases that business owners may make.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
$4,100^
The Edit credit
Up to $500 each year (two credits of up to $250) on stays of at least two nights booked through The Edit
Up to $500
ZipRecruiter credit
Up to $400 each year (up to $200 from January through June and up to $200 from July through December) for purchases made directly with ZipRecruiter through Dec. 31, 2027
Up to $400
Travel credit
Up to $300 in statement credits each account anniversary year for a broad suite of travel purchases
Up to $300
DoorDash non-restaurant credit
Two separate $10 monthly credits toward non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash when you activate your DashPass membership by Dec. 31, 2027
Up to $240
Google Workspace credit
Up to $200 statement credit for purchases made directly with Google Workspace through Dec. 31, 2027
Up to $200
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit
Up to $120 statement credit every four years
Up to $120
Lyft credits
Up to $120 each year (up to $10 in monthly in-app credit) on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027
Up to $120
DoorDash DashPass subscription
At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027
Up to $120
Giftcards.com
Earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 from January through June and up to $50 from July through December) on gift card purchases made through giftcards.com/reservebusiness through Oct. 31, 2028
Up to $100
DoorDash restaurant credit
A $5 monthly promo for restaurant orders on DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2027
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 200,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer
Up to $4,000^
ChatGPT Business credit
Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business subscriptions (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $300
Flexible business credits
Up to $240 in flexible business statement credits per calendar year (up to $20 per month) for eligible U.S. purchases at Grubhub, office supply stores and shipments at UPS.com**
Up to $240
Walmart+ credit
Up to $155 each calendar year (up to $12.95 in monthly statement credits) for one recurring Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; plus applicable taxes); Plus Up benefits are not eligible
Up to $155
Squarespace credit
Up to $150 each calendar year for U.S. subscription purchases with Squarespace (subject to auto-renewal)**
Up to $150
^Per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
**Enrollment is required.
The premium Chase Sapphire Reserve includes a long list of statement credits that help offset the card's high $795 annual fee.
THE POINTS GUY
The Sapphire Reserve's annual travel credit is one of the most flexible credits available, making it easy to maximize that part of its first-year value.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$2,050^
The Edit credit
Up to $500 each year (two credits of up to $250) on stays of at least two nights booked through The Edit
Up to $500
Apple credit
$324 Complimentary Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions each year. One-time activation for each service is required. These subscriptions run through June 22, 2027
$324
Travel credit
Up to $300 each account anniversary year for a broad suite of travel purchases
Up to $300
StubHub and Viagogo credit
Up to $300 each year (up to $150 from January through June and up to $150 from July through December) for purchases with StubHub and Viagogo through Dec. 31, 2027. One-time activation is required
Up to $300
Dining credit
Up to $300 each year (up to $150 from January through June and up to $150 from July through December) for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables
Up to $300
DoorDash non-restaurant credit
Two separate $10 monthly credits toward non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash when you activate your DashPass membership by Dec. 31, 2029
Up to $240
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credits
Up to $120 every four years
Up to $120
Lyft credits
Up to $120 each year (up to $10 in monthly in-app credit) on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027
Up to $120
Peloton credits
$120 in Peloton credits each year ($10 in statement credits per month) for Peloton memberships through Dec. 31, 2027. Activation required.
$120
DoorDash DashPass subscription
At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2029
Up to $120
DoorDash restaurant credit
A $15 monthly promo for restaurant orders on DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2029
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer
Up to $2,000^
Uber Cash
Up to $120 each calendar year (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash toward U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders#
Up to $120
Dining credit
Up to $120 each calendar year (up to $10 per month) in dining statement credits at participating restaurants**
Up to $120
Resy credit
Up to $100 each calendar year (up to $50 in semiannual statement credits) for purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants**
Up to $100
Uber One membership (limited-time anniversary benefit)
A one-time statement credit for up to $96 to cover an annual Uber One membership (through Oct. 30)**
Up to $96
Dunkin' credit
Up to $84 each calendar year (up to $7 in monthly statement credits) for purchases with U.S. Dunkin' locations**
Up to $84
^Per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
**Enrollment is required.
#Add your qualifying Amex card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive might be best known for its Admirals Club lounge access, but following a recent refresh, the card now offers an impressive collection of statement credits that can provide significant value on their own.
THE POINTS GUY
Here's how the math works out on this card.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
For a limited time, earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.
$1,813^
American Airlines Vacations credit
Up to $500 in annual American Airlines Vacations statement credits, split into two $250 periods (Jan. 1 to June 30 and July 1 to Dec. 31).
Up to $500
Lyft credits
Up to $180 in statement credits annually (up to $15 in Lyft credits per month after taking three eligible rides that month)
Up to $180
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Up to $120 every four years
Up to $120
Avis and Budget credit
Up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year for prepaid bookings made directly through avis.com or budget.com
Much of the Sapphire Preferred's value comes from its welcome bonus, but the card has several other perks that substantially boost its first-year value.
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
$1,538^
DoorDash non-restaurant credit
Up to $10 each month toward non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash when you activate your DashPass membership by Dec. 31, 2029
Up to $120
DoorDash DashPass subscription
At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2029
Up to $120
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit
Up to $120 every four years
Up to $120
Hotel credit
Up to $100 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠
Up to $100
Apple TV (one year)
Complimentary Apple TV subscription for one year when activated by Dec. 31. An annual subscription costs $99.99
About $100
^Per TPG's October 2026 valuations.
Total potential first-year value: Up to $2,098
Annual fee: $95
Net first-yearvalue: Up to $2,003
With the addition of a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit, a complimentary one-year Apple TV subscription (activate by Dec. 31) and doubled value on the card's annual hotel credit, the Sapphire Preferred can provide more than $2,000 in first-year value, which is stellar for a $95 annual fee card.
Citi's premium travel card, the Citi Strata Elite Card comes with a solid list of quantifiable perks and statement credits.
THE POINTS GUY
Here's what to know about the card:
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
$1,425^
Hotel credit
Up to $300 off a prepaid hotel stay (minimum two-night stay) when booked through Citi Travel each calendar year
Up to $300
Splurge credit
Up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year on your choice of up to two brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy, Future Personal Training and Live Nation (exclusions apply).
Up to $200
Blacklane credit
Up to $200 each calendar year (up to $100 in biannual statement credits) for Blacklane chauffeur bookings
Up to $200
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits
The Bilt Palladium Card earns valuable Bilt Points and Bilt Cash (up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year), sending its first-year value up high.
THE POINTS GUY
Here's what to know about Bilt's premium card:
Quantifiable benefit
Perk details
Value
Welcome offer
Earn 50,000 Bilt Points and Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon account opening. Up to $100 in Bilt Cash rolls over into the next year
$1,400^
Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit
Up to $200 biannually in statement credits ($400 per calendar year) in Bilt Travel Portal hotel credits; must book a stay of at least two nights
Up to $400
Annual Bilt Cash
$200 in Bilt Cash annually; up to $100 in Bilt Cash rolls over into the next year
Many popular travel cards can get you well over $1,500 in value in just the first year of card membership.
If you have a card where you spend a lot each year within its bonus categories, you can easily get more than $1,500 in value from it just based on spending alone.
But if you aren't taking full advantage of the benefits offered by a card (such as lounge access, yearly statement credits or elite status), you could get less value from a specific card, as it isn't suited to your needs.
Hopefully, this gives you a starting point to see which cards can offer your wallet the most value.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card, click here.
