Is an Annual Fee Travel Card Worth It? A Guide for Occasional Flyers

Learn how to decide if a travel card's annual fee is worth it and which card suits occasional flyers.

What does it take for a travel credit card's annual fee to actually pay off? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola help listener Lacey understand whether annual fees would be worth her paying for premium travel credit cards, despite only flying home a few times a year. Sally French, travel credit card expert and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast, joins to walk through the cards Lacey already carries and explains what to consider before committing to any annual-fee card. She also discusses why transfer partners matter for cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the single gut-check question to ask yourself before signing up for any annual-fee card.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards

• Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get

• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Review: Choose Your Own Bonus Category

• World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost

• American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families

• Apple Card Review: Extra Rewarding for Apple Fans

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header 

Smart Money’s YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@nerdwalletsmartmoney

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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