Almost anyone can get outsize value from a credit card if they know how to maximize the card’s various perks. But life is busy, and I don’t always have the time or energy to keep up with a long list of monthly statement credits or other requirements to squeeze every last cent of value from my cards.
That’s why I prefer cards with a reasonable annual fee and one easy-to-use perk whose value offsets that number. Big value with little legwork? Sign me up!
Here are a few examples:
Annual free night awards: Some cobranded hotel cards come with an annual free night award that, on its own, typically offsets the annual fee. For instance, the $95-annual-fee World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with an annual free night award good at Category 1-4 Hyatt hotels on each cardmember anniversary. That alone can be worth hundreds of dollars, especially if you use it at a Category 4 property like the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort.
What’s even better is that right now new World of Hyatt Credit Card holders can earn two free nights after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
Hotel credits: Lots of travel rewards cards offer some sort of credit for booking through their travel portals. You can easily offset the Citi Strata Premier® Card’s $95 annual fee with its yearly $100 credit on any single-stay hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through cititravel.com.
Free checked bags: Several cobranded airline cards that charge a fee offer free checked bags as a benefit, which can save even infrequent travelers hundreds of dollars a year. For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comes with a free checked bag for you and up to four companions every time you fly. Not bad for a card with only a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first 12 months.
Plus, this card also has a limited-time welcome offer of 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,500 on purchases within the first four months from opening an account.
Check out these stories for more details on our favorite easy-to-love cards:
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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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
