Are My Credit Card Annual Fees Worth It? My 2026 Audit
Are my credit card annual fees worth it? I audit 17 cards, $3,008 in annual fees, and the real value of the benefits I use in 2026.
Are my credit card annual fees worth it? I audit 17 cards, $3,008 in annual fees, and the real value of the benefits I use in 2026.
Travel points and miles can change your life, but I want you tread into this world with an understanding that it is a credit card game and it IS NOT free.
These are all the things I wish I knew when I first got into the points and miles world. I hope this can help you navigate this world of points and miles.
Are points and miles still worth it in 2026?
After 4 years, 20+ trips, and a lot of trial and error… I finally wrote my honest thoughts.
No one tells you this about points and miles…
It’s not free. It’s not instant.
But it can be worth it.
Full breakdown on the blog.
If you’re just getting into points & miles and feel overwhelmed — I’ve been there.
I wrote about what I wish I knew when I started.
When evaluating premium credit cards, the headline annual fee can be intimidating. But what if that number isn’t the real cost at all? The value you get from a card depends on the benefits you actually use. That’s why understanding your effective annual fee, the real cost after subtracting the value of credits and perks you’ll actually use, matters more than the raw sticker price.
In this post, we’ll break down how that math works and use two premium cards: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum, to show how effective annual fees can vary widely depending on your lifestyle.
Citi’s credit card application rules for 2025 include key guidelines like the 1 in 8 Rule for personal cards and the 2/65 Rule for approvals. Applicants must also be mindful of the 24- and 48-Month Rules regarding welcome bonuses, along with eligibility linked to distinct card families. Patience and strategic timing are crucial for maximizing rewards.
Explore essential budget travel tips that help you save money while enjoying your trips. Travel smart and affordably!
New to points and miles? This beginner’s guide walks you through exactly how to get started — what points and miles actually is, whether you’re financially ready, and where to begin. Real numbers, real story, no fluff.
Stacy’s personal story of stumbling into points and miles in 2021 — and how it turned into $154,233 in travel redeemed. This is where it all started.