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

What you'll learn

• 1 (01:05) **Listener Question: Is an Annual Fee Travel Card Worth It?** - Lacey, a new full-time employee who flies a few times a year, asks whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred or a Delta card is worth the annual fee, given she already has a Bank of America Custom Cash Rewards and an Apple Card.
• 2 (02:54) **Maximizing What You Already Own: The Apple Card** - Expert Sally French argues that Lacey's existing no-fee cards are already strong, and cash back may be a better fit than complex points.
• 3 (06:08) **Maximizing What You Already Own: The Bank of America Card** - Breaking down the Bank of America Custom Cash Rewards card, which can earn up to 5.25% back in a chosen category if you bank with them.
• 4 (08:54) **Why a Travel Card Might Still Help: It's About the Perks, Not Just Spending** - The real value of a travel card often comes from benefits like free checked bags and travel insurance, not just the rewards rate.
• 5 (09:55) **How to Justify an Annual Fee When You Don't Travel Often** - A simple framework for evaluating whether a card's annual fee is worth it: add up the cash value of the benefits you will actually use.
• 6 (11:54) **The Trap of Brand Loyalty: Airline vs. General Travel Cards** - A branded card (like Delta) can be great, but it handcuffs you to that airline, which may not always have the best route or price.
• 7 (14:35) **Why These Low-Fee Cards Are a Great Starting Point** - The $95-$150 annual fee range is a much easier place to start than premium cards with fees of $700-$1,000.

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