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.
Transferable points or currencies are the best way to use your points. It gives you more flexibility and more value. You choose where your points go. Transferable currencies have the biggest value, especially when booking premium cabins.
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.
I turned $11,000 in everyday spending into $36,000 worth of travel using credit card points and miles — without overspending or changing my lifestyle. In this post, I break down exactly how it worked, which credit card rewards I used, how long it took, and why points and miles aren’t about “free travel,” but about unlocking trips you’d never take otherwise. If you’ve ever wondered whether travel rewards are actually worth it, this real-life breakdown shows how strategic point earning can completely change how (and where) you travel.
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.
Learn how Rove Miles works — earn on hotels, flights, and 13,000+ merchants, stack rewards, and transfer to 18 partner programs. Free to join.
Wells Fargo’s credit card rules include a six-month wait between applications and a bonus eligibility of once every 48 months. They have no stated card limit but monitor credit exposure. A recommended FICO score of 670 or higher increases approval chances. Understanding these guidelines can enhance travel rewards opportunities.
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.