Right now, I carry 11 credit cards with annual fees totaling $3,269. Here's the breakdown of the eight that have annual fees:<\/p>\n
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- American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $895 annual fee (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $795 annual fee<\/li>\n
- Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card<\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $595 annual fee<\/li>\n
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card<\/a>:<\/strong> $395 annual fee<\/li>\n
- avianca lifemiles American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Elite Card<\/a>:<\/strong> $249 annual fee<\/li>\n
- Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Gold American Express Card<\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $150 annual fee (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $95 annual fee<\/li>\n
- Marriott Bonvoy\u2122 American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/strong>:<\/strong> $95 annual fee <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Five of these cards are general travel rewards cards that earn transferable points. The other three are co-branded cards that earn points or miles with a specific airline or hotel.<\/p>\n
I also have the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card<\/a>, the Chase Freedom\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>, and the Apple Card<\/strong>, none of which charge an annual fee. I rarely use the Capital One VentureOne, but I like to keep it open for extra available credit and a longer credit history.<\/p>\n
That brings me to a total of $3,269 in annual fees each year. When you see it written out like that, it might look unnecessary or even irresponsible. But I use these cards to unlock nearly $7,000 in annual value.<\/p>\n
How I Unlock Nearly $7,000 in Annual Value From Statement Credits<\/span><\/h2>\n
My list of statement credits is seemingly endless. Maximizing each of these credits takes work \u2014 especially the ones earned monthly. Sometimes I forget about a credit and leave money on the table, which is why AwardWallet's tracking tools<\/a> come in so handy.<\/p>\n
Almost $4,500 in credits I find easy to use<\/span><\/h3>\n
The Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> has the most credits of any other card in my wallet. Some are more challenging to maximize, but these I find easy to redeem:<\/p>\n
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- Up to $600 Hotel Credit<\/strong><\/a> on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more) through Amex Travel ($300 semi-annually). I frequently go on weekend trips and can easily justify booking through a travel portal to save $300.<\/li>\n
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit<\/strong><\/a> for incidental fees charged by a selected qualifying airline. I travel full-time with my cat, so I use this credit for pet fees when we fly.<\/li>\n
- Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit<\/strong><\/a> ($25 each month) is incredibly easy to use. I use my credit for a Disney, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle, which allows me to watch favorites like Project Runway, Broad City, VEEP, and all my favorite holiday movies.<\/li>\n
- Up to $300 Lululemon Credit <\/strong><\/a>($75 per quarter) is also an easy sell. Lululemon has some excellent, high-quality clothes. I always pick my Lululemon attire for long travel days, so I'm thrilled I can easily buy an item each quarter with little out of pocket.<\/li>\n
- Up to $155 Walmart+ Credit<\/strong><\/a> is useful even if you aren't a frequent Walmart shopper. I use my credit to enroll in Peacock so I can rewatch Parks and Recreation while I work.<\/li>\n
- Up to $400 Resy Credit<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>($100 quarterly). I used to find this difficult to use, as it's only valid for U.S. Resy restaurants. However, I now buy gift cards to eligible restaurants and give them to my parents. I love being able to gift a quarterly date night.<\/li>\n
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\n\nAmerican Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>\n![\"American](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
<\/div>\n How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$895<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>Cardholders can access more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, take advantage of up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, up to $219 in CLEAR+ credits, and TSA PreCheck\u00ae<\/sup> or Global Entry fee credits. The card also includes an annual hotel credit worth up to $600 on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> or The Hotel Collection bookings (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay), Hilton Honors\u2122 and Marriott Bonvoy\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Elite status, and a suite of benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup>. Additional perks include $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership credit (with applicable sales taxes and Plus Ups not include), up to $300 in annual digital entertainment credits, up to $300 Equinox credits, and up to $200 annual Uber Cash and $120 Uber One Credit. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.<\/div>\n\n\n- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.<\/li>
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.<\/li>
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01\/2026<\/li>
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.<\/li>
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.<\/li>
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.<\/li>
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.<\/li>
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.<\/li>
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.<\/li>
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.<\/li>
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.<\/li>
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.<\/li>
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24\/7.<\/li>
- $895 annual fee.<\/li>
- Terms Apply.<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div>
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- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> and The Hotel Collection bookings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit<\/strong><\/a> for incidental fees charged by a selected qualifying airline. I travel full-time with my cat, so I use this credit for pet fees when we fly.<\/li>\n
- Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/strong>:<\/strong> $795 annual fee<\/li>\n
![\"American](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/e6901d88-1a35-4373-b3e1-9a2a445490a0.png\")
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