Is a $695 Annual Fee Worth It?

The annual fee is $695.

Am I crazy?

Maybe a little - haha!

For me, as I calculated the benefits I’d receive from the card, I found that I would receive far more in benefits from the card than the $695 fee I would pay this year.

Here are a few of the benefits that are valuable to me:

• 100,000 welcome bonus = ~$2,000 in free travel

• 30,000 referral bonus (from my wife referring to me) = ~$600 in free travel

• $200 in statement credits for hotels = $200 in value

• $200 airline fee credit for incidental fees = $200 in value

• $12.95/mo Walmart+ Credit ($0.10 reduction in gas at certain stations + free grocery/online delivery) = $155 in value (not including gas savings)

• $20/mo Entertainment Credit (can be used toward my Hulu subscription) = $240 in value

• $15/mo Uber cash + $20 in December (which we’ll use to cover some of our regular eating out budget each month) = $200 in value

• $189 in statement credits toward my CLEAR membership = $189 in value

• $50 twice a year to online shopping at Saks = $100 in value

• Centurion Lounge access (2 visits throughout the year) = ~$100 in value

Total Value for me in Year 1 = $3,984

Is the $695 annual fee worth it?

No brainer for me!!

While I recommend getting Chase cards first, if you decide to get this card at some point, would you use our >referral link? You can get an additional 20,000 point welcome bonus (100,000 instead of the 80,000 public offer) & we get points for referring you — win/win!

When a card has a high annual fee, don’t write it off immediately. Look at the benefits & see if the rewards you’ll use will outweigh the fee.

You may be surprised.