Best credit cards with an annual fee of November 2024

The Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The Rewards: 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The welcome bonus easily covers the annual fee, but even if you don't achieve the bonus, you can easily cover the annual fee if you are someone who travels or dines out often. For example, spending $6,000 a year on dining out and travel ($500 a month) would net you 12,000 points. That alone would be worth $150 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• We really like the travel perks, such as no foreign transaction fees and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
• It isn't just that there are high reward rates, but there are no blackout dates, restrictions or expiration dates on rewards.
• The points earned with this card are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, meaning the bonus alone is worth $750 in travel.

CONS:

• No introductory 0% APR balance transfer or purchase offer.
• If you are not a frequent traveler there are other cards on the market with higher points earning potential.

Read our full CardName review.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The Rewards: Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day, plus earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The reimbursement for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee immediately covers the annual fee for one year, and the welcome bonus can be worth $750 through the Capital One Rewards program, covering several years of annual fees. Bonuses aside, the rewards program makes it easy to quickly cover the cost of the annual fee. At 2X miles earned on every purchase made you'll rack up enough miles to offset the fee in no time if you're using your card frequently.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• There is a lot of flexibility with their travel program, which these days, you need.
• You can fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime, and transfer miles to several leading travel loyalty programs.
• No foreign transaction fee.

CONS:

• Earning 2X miles on every purchase is certainly easy to understand, however there are alternative travel rewards cards on the market that have higher points earning potential.
• The current partner airlines with the Venture card are not the most common or frequently used for rewards travel so transferring miles may not provide as much value as other card programs.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months.

The Rewards: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations; and 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? With a cash back rate of 6%, grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets with your card will easily offset your annual fee. Even spending just $150 a month on groceries (well-below most household averages) will reward you with enough to offset the annual fee and then some - $108.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card offers a whopping 6% cash back on all grocery purchases up to $6,000 per year. That works out to a maximum of $360 in cash back on groceries alone. You can also earn unlimited 3% cash back on transit and gas purchases at U.S. gas stations.
• Global Assist Hotline. That is, you'll get concierge service, which can help you with issues like a lost passport or missing luggage.
• The welcome bonus is a nice way to kick off card membership.

CONS:

• This is a great card with outstanding benefits for those who spend a lot; however, if you don't spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets you may have a difficult time offsetting the annual fee.
• This isn't the best card to travel abroad with as it charges a fee on foreign transactions.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Limited time offer: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

The Rewards: You'll earn 4X points per $1 spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year), then 1X points; 4X points per $1 spent at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year) then 1X points; 3X points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com; 2X points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com; and 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee?: 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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. This alone gets you almost halfway there. Take advantage of up to $10 total monthly in statement credits when you use your card to pay for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required). This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Plus, there's the generous welcome bonus offer, and with strong ongoing rewards, if you use this card regularly you'll easily earn enough to offset the cost of the card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card gives you the flexibility to earn rewards with any airline, so you aren't restricted to earning bonus rewards with just one.
• Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required).
• This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it's a good one to travel abroad with.

CONS:

• Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
• If you don't fly often, you might be better off with a card that rewards gas purchases or hotel stays instead of airline expenses.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Additionally, enjoy 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first account anniversary.

The Rewards: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? There are a number of perks that come with this card which allow cardholders to easily offset the cost of the card, including: $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel; unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network; up to a $120 credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee; and, when you pay your monthly wireless bill with your covered Capital One card, your cell phone is protected for the next calendar month. Furthermore, the welcome bonus, as well as the ongoing card anniversary bonus, go a long way in offsetting the cost of the card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• The annual card anniversary 10,000 mile bonus is a nice incentive to maintain card membership.
• Cell phone protection isn't a common perk offered by credit cards, particularly travel credit cards. The fact that this card offers cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card is a nice incentive for cardholders.

CONS:

• You'll need to make your bookings through the Capital One Travel portal to earn the annual travel credit, which might feel limiting for some cardholders.
• This card was really designed with travelers in mind. If you don't travel often, you may have trouble offsetting the annual fee.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, worth $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.

The Rewards: Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel. Earn 3X points on other travel (after the reimbursement) and dining and 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select, up to a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and one year complimentary Lyft Pink access (a $199 minimum value) more than offset the annual fee with ease. And that's not even taking the welcome bonus or 50% more value on points into consideration.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• There are so many. One of the biggest though is the fact that points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel.
• Enjoy no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, car rental insurance, and so many other valuable travel perks.
• Lounge access and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement are huge, money-saving benefits.

CONS:

• Of course, the annual fee. This card is designed with travelers in mind, so if you don't travel enough to use the numerous perks this card offers, you may have trouble offsetting its cost.
• There is a $75 fee for authorized users, so if you plan to add additional users to your account, this is something to keep in mind.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles when you spend at least $2,500 in the first three months of card membership.

The Rewards: Earn two AAdvantage® bonus miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and on eligible American Airlines purchases. You can redeem your miles for flights with American Airlines and American Eagle as well as with OneWorld partners such as British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas, airberlin and several others, or you can upgrade your ticket to the next cabin. But you have other redemption options, too. AAdvantage® bonus miles can also be redeemed for hotel rooms, rental cars, or to book a vacation through American Airlines Vacations.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? For devotees of American Airlines, the annual fee can be offset easily in several ways, starting with the free checked bag for you and four traveling companions on the same reservation. Most airlines charge $30-$50 per checked bag, so on just one round-trip flight, this perk could save you as much as $500. Plus, if you spend more than $20,000 in a card membership year and renew your card, you earn a $125 American Airline flight discount, which is more than enough to offset the cost of the card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
• This card gives you preferred boarding on flights and 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
• You don't have to use your miles for trips. You can redeem them for magazines, newspapers, gift cards and identify theft protection – or donate your miles to a charity.
• The annual fee is waived the first year.

CONS:

• If you're looking for a travel card with a lot of flashy perks, like access to an airport lounge, this isn't it.
• While your miles can be redeemed for a lot of things, such as gift cards and vacation packages, you can't redeem them for cash.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Welcome Offer: For a limited time, earn 100,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.

The Rewards: Earn up to 17X total points for every dollar spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Earn 6X points with the credit card, up to 10X points from Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, and 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status. Additionally, earn 3X total points per $1 spent on up to $6,000 in combined purchases at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores each year and 2X points on all other purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card takes care of offsetting the annual fee in a clean, simple fashion. Each year, on the anniversary of your card membership, you receive a free one-night stay (valued up to 35,000 points) at any of more than 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy properties. As for the annual fee for the first year, you can easily offset that with bonus offer alone.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Once you redeem your points for hotel rooms, you have a lot of places you can stay - over 7,000 Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton locations, as well as Starwood-branded hotels around the world. That includes Four Points by Sheraton, Sheraton hotels, W Hotels and Westin hotels.
• If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Rest easy at a Marriott hotel if something happens to your luggage. If you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you’re covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

CONS:

• It kind of goes without saying, but if your preference hotel is outside the Bonvoy group, you'd probably be better off with a different card.
• If your primary travel concern is saving money on hotel stays, this is a good card. However, if you want to earn bonus rewards on all travel purchases such as flights or car rentals, you might be better off with a more general travel rewards card.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

The Rewards: Earn 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The welcome bonus alone easily offsets years worth of annual fees, but beyond that, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com once per calendar year. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. If you frequently stay at hotels, this is a nice perk that offsets the cost of the card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Planning a trip abroad? Feel free to bring this card along as it does not charge fees on foreign transactions.
• ThankYou® Points can be transferred to participating airline loyalty programs, or redeemed for gift cards including for department and home stores, restaurants, and more. Or, use ThankYou® Points to shop online at Amazon.com or BestBuy.com.
• Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com once per calendar year.

CONS:

• If you're after cash-back rewards, you might not find the redemption options as lucrative as some other cards.
• Though the hotel savings benefit is a nice perk, if you don't frequently stay in hotels, you might have trouble offsetting the cost of the card.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: There is no traditional bonus offered with this card, however, you can get access to a higher line of credit in as little as six months, which is a nice perk for those working on their credit.

The Rewards: Earn 1.5 % cash back on every purchase, every day.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? With the annual fee a modest AnnualFees, it doesn't take much spending to offset. In fact, at a cash back rate of 1.5%, using the CardName for just $250 in spending a month will earn $45 in cash back. Considering the fact that this card is designed for people with lower credit, AnnualFees is a small sacrifice to pay in the road towards a better credit score - especially when it can so easily be offset by making just $3,000 in purchases a year.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Capital One will automatically consider you for a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
• Many rewards cards require excellent credit, but you could qualify for this card even if your credit isn't perfect, and enjoy some great rewards for a relatively low annual fee.

CONS:

• The rewards offered with this card are good for someone with a lower credit score, but if you have very good or excellent credit, you'll likely want to consider another option.
• There is no welcome bonus to entice new cardholders.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Enjoy 90,000 bonus points, worth $1,125 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠, when you spend at least $8,000 in the first three months after the card is issued.

The Rewards: Earn three points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year, and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The whopping welcome bonus of 90,000 points, with a value of $1,125 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, certainly offsets the annual fee for several years, and then some. Beyond that, it would take just modest spending to cover the annual fee each year. For example, just $3,000 in spending on travel, shipping or social media/search engine advertising would net a redemption value of $112 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel. This doesn't even take into consideration money that can be saved by the waiving of foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision insurance, cell phone insurance, etc.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• We really like the cell phone insurance for the primary cardholder and employee phones on the same account.
• With the state of travel these days, you'll likely appreciate the trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
• This is a business credit card that gets that it's a business credit card: Employee cards can be distributed at no additional cost with the option to set individual spending limits, helping you to earn rewards even faster and keep track of your business' spending.

CONS:

• If the bonus cash-back categories don't really fit your business needs, or you spend above the $150k threshold annually, you may want to look elsewhere for maximum cash back.
• This isn't a credit card that you'd want to transfer a balance to. The balance transfer fee is 5%, and if transferring debt to a low interest card is your goal, you could likely find something better.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

The Rewards: Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the two eligible categories where your business spends the most (each billing cycle) from six eligible categories. While your top two categories may change, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1x thereafter). Only the top two categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap. Additionally, earn 3x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold card.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

How do you Offset the Annual Fee? The welcome bonus alone has the potential to offset the cost of the annual fee for several years. On an ongoing basis, however, the rewards potential is huge. Assuming you regularly use the card for your business needs, thanks to the rewards structure, you shouldn't have trouble offsetting the cost of carrying the card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees so it's good for international travel.
• You can combine rewards you earn with this card with Membership Rewards you earn with a personal card.
• Earning four points in the categories where you spend most is huge. This gives you the opportunity for some serious point earning potential.

CONS:

• Don't overlook the annual fee. Ensure the rewards and other perks and features will allow you to more than offset that fee.
• There is a cap on the amount of bonus rewards you can earn. It's still pretty high, but if your business spends far more than $150,000 in certain categories each year, you might want to consider another option.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.