Author: Shiloh Kelly
Even though you don’t have to pay an annual fee to get a rewarding credit card, most lucrative rewards credit cards charge a yearly fee.
Before choosing a credit card that charges an annual fee, you should ensure that the benefits you hope to gain outweigh the cost of the yearly fee.
This article provides insights into when you should consider paying an annual fee and when you shouldn’t.
When is paying a credit card’s annual fee worth it?
There are several scenarios where paying an annual fee for a credit card may be worth it. Here are a few of them:
Building Credit
There are many credit card options for people with bad credit without the annual charges. However, if your credit score makes those cards inaccessible, you should consider getting one with a smaller yearly fee to help you build your credit.
Another option to consider is a secured credit card which requires you to pay an upfront security deposit. But generally, the amount you deposit will match your credit limit.
One benefit to this type of card is that it requires a one-time deposit, instead of an annual fee.
You want premium travel benefits.
An annual credit card fee is an exchange for top-tier rewards, especially for travel. So it’ll make sense to pay a yearly fee if you want these travel benefits.
A travel card with an annual fee often offers perks like trip lost luggage compensation, trip cancellation insurance, travel accidents insurance, and zero foreign transaction fees, making your trip as stress-free as possible.
The higher the annual fee for these cards, the more benefits you’ll be able to access. Some credit cards charge an annual fee between $550 to $650 for these premium travel benefits.
Huge sign-up bonuses.
Before accessing a card’s sign-up bonus, you’ll need to spend a certain amount within the introductory period.Â
Even though many cards without annual fees come with sign-up bonuses, With credit cards, these fees offer hefty bonuses.
However, the spending requirement is often higher before you can access the rewards.
Why is A yearly fee for a credit card not worth it?
Let’s look at some scenarios where paying an annual fee might not be worth it.
1. You have credit card debt.
Adding another fee into the mix might not be ideal if you’re trying to reduce your credit card debt balance. With the average credit card interest rate around 16 percent, you’ll need to pay down your debt first before pursuing rewards.
2. You won’t use the benefits
The primary reason people why pay an annual fee is to enjoy the benefits that come with it. If you don’t plan on using any of the perks, paying an annual fee may not be worth it.
Conclusion
While there are cards that do not charge fees, you may choose the one that does if you want more benefits. To determine whether an annual fee for a credit card is worthwhile, consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs.