By KBC Associate 
As credit card annual fees continue to climb, it’s natural to start questioning how much value you’re getting from adding a new card to your wallet. This is especially true since multiple cards out there charge no annual fee.
However, there can be solid reasons to pay an annual fee. Many popular rewards cards come with an annual fee but provide outsize value in the form of statement credits, welcome bonuses and other quantifiable perks.
Let’s dive into our top cards that actually provide more than $1,000 in value in your first year of card membership.
Methodology
Here are the four factors we considered to arrive at these values:
- Welcome offer: We assigned a dollar amount to a card’s welcome offer based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations.
- Annual statement credits: We counted credits toward travel, dining, resort stays and other categories.
- Quantifiable perks and benefits: We added benefits that can be assigned a specific dollar amount. This means we excluded factors that aren’t as quantifiable, such as lounge access and elite status. We also excluded anniversary benefits that only apply to the second year of card membership.
- Annual fee: We subtracted the annual fee from the card’s overall value. Even after subtracting this amount, all the cards listed still provide more than $1,000 in first-year value.
Finally, please note that just because a card didn’t make this list doesn’t mean it can’t provide this type of value. Cards not on this list provide value on a case-by-case basis.
Related: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?
Cards that provide $1,000-plus in first-year value
| Card | Welcome offer value* | Total potential first-year value | Annual fee | Net first-year value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $3,500 | Up to $5,249 | $695 (see rates and fees) | Up to $4,554 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $1,600 | $3,314 | $695 (see rates and fees) | $2,619 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) | $2,050 | $2,316 | $95 | $2,221 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | $1,845 | $1,845 | $95 | $1,750 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Up to $1,638 | Up to $1,758 | $95 | Up to $1,663 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) | $1,230 | $2,166 | $550 | $1,616 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $1,388 | $1,808 | $395 | $1,413 |
| American Express® Gold Card | $1,200 | $1,624 | $325 (see rates and fees) | $1,299 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | $1,050 | $1,849 | $550 | $1,299 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | $1,295 | $1,715 | $650 (see rates and fees) | $1,065 |
*The welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s April 2025 valuations and is not provided by or reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Now that we’ve introduced the 10 cards that provide at least $1,000 in first-year value, let’s get into the specifics to help you decide which is best for you.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
For small-business owners, The Business Platinum Card from American Express can yield a ton of value in the first year, thanks to the array of perks on the card.
Most benefits come as statement credits, many of which specifically connect to business-related expenses.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership, plus a $500 statement after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel within the first three months of card membership. Offer ends June 30 and you can earn one or both of these offers | Up to $3,500, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Airline incidental statement credits on one selected airline | Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on incidentals, such as checked bags and inflight refreshments, on one selected airline** | $200 |
| Hilton statement credits | Up to $50 per quarter for eligible purchases made in the Hilton portfolio; up to $200 per calendar year** | $200 |
| Dell statement credit | Up to $200 in semiannual statement credits for Dell purchases made in the U.S.; up to $400 per calendar year (this credit is set to change on July 1)** | $400 |
| Indeed statement credit | Up to $90 in quarterly statement credits on all Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services to post open positions and find talent; up to $360 per calendar year** | $360 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits | $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
| Clear Plus statement credit | Up to $199 toward an annual Clear membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)** | $199 |
| Adobe statement credit | Up to $150 annual statement credit on select Adobe purchases, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC (subject to auto-renewal; this credit is set to change on July 1)** | $150 |
| Wireless credit | Up to $10 per month for purchases made with U.S. wireless telephone services; up to $120 per calendar year** | $120 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: Up to $5,249
- Annual fee: $695
- Net first-year value: Up to $4,554
Along with its quantifiable benefits, the Amex Business Platinum provides elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required)and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes more than 1,400 lounges.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best travel cards available for luxury travelers because of its extensive lineup of perks.
These quantifiable benefits are only part of the equation.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership | $1,600, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Uber Cash | $15 per month, plus an additional $20 in December (for U.S. services); up to $200 per calendar year**^ | $200 |
| Airline incidental statement credits on one selected airline | Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on incidentals, such as checked bags and inflight refreshments, on one selected airline** | $200 |
| Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits | Up to $50 in semiannual credits for Saks Fifth Avenue; up to $100 per calendar year** | $100 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits | $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
| Hotel credit | Up to $200 in statement credits on prepaid bookings with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection^^ properties made through American Express Travel; The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay** | $200 |
| Digital entertainment credits | Up to $20 in monthly statement credits for select digital entertainment and streaming services; up to $240 per calendar year** | $240 |
| Equinox credit | Up to $300 in annual statement credits for select Equinox memberships, including the app (subject to auto-renewal)** | $300 |
| Walmart+ credit | Up to $12.95 monthly for one recurring Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; plus applicable taxes); Plus Up benefits are not eligible | $155 |
| Clear Plus statement credit | Up to $199 toward an annual Clear membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)** | $199 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
^Add your qualifying Amex card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
^^Eligible charges vary by property.
- Total potential first-year value: $3,314
- Annual fee: $695
- Net first-year value: $2,619
Like its business counterpart, the Amex Platinum also grants lounge access and Marriott and Hilton elite status (enrollment required). You’ll also receive rental car privileges, access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, travel and purchase protections and access to the Amex Platinum concierge. Keep in mind, our calculations did not include the value of these perks since they are not quantifiable.
You could even be targeted for a higher welcome offer via the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time) that could provide even more first-year value.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best cards for beginners.
Much of the value of the Sapphire Preferred comes from its limited-time lucrative welcome bonus. However, that’s not the only quantifiable benefit for its $95 annual fee.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening | $2,050, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Hotel credit | Up to $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travelâ„ | $50 |
| DoorDash DashPass subscription | At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027 | $96 |
| DoorDash nonrestaurant credit | Up to $10 each month toward nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash when you activate your DashPass membership | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: $2,316
- Annual fee: $95
- Net first-year value: $2,221
You’ll also receive a 10% points bonus on your cardmember anniversary based on the total amount you spent in the previous year. However, since the value of this perk depends on your spending activity, it’s not included in the above calculation.
Sapphire Preferred Card holders with an activated DashPass membership can get $10 each month toward nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash, which is a great way to save on a quick convenience store purchase.
To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
In addition to the fantastic welcome bonus offered by the Ink Business Preferred, this card’s primary value is its earning structure. However, value from earning structure can be hard to quantify since it depends entirely on your spending habits.
Regardless, the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ll receive from the welcome bonus catapult this card’s first-year value to over $1,000.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,845, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
- Total potential first-year value: $1,845
- Annual fee: $95
- Net first-year value: $1,750
Here are the related earning rates, which could be beneficial depending on your spending habits:
- 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year: travel, shipping, advertising, internet, cable and phone services
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
This card only charges a $95 annual fee, making it easy to consider keeping it for the long term.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
While the Venture Rewards card doesn’t have a long list of benefits, it offers a strong welcome bonus relative to its annual fee.
Transferring your miles to one of Capital One’s 15-plus loyalty partners is the best way to maximize your rewards.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, as well as receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in the first cardholder year | Up to $1,638, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits | Up to $120 every four years | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: Up to $1,758
- Annual fee: $95
- Net first-year value: $1,663
This card’s benefits are similar to those of the Venture X. It’s important to weigh the value you’ll receive with the lower annual fee Venture Rewards compared to the premium option.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The premium Chase Sapphire Reserve makes this list thanks to its solid welcome offer and easy-to-use travel statement credit.
The Sapphire Reserve’s annual travel credit is one of the most flexible credits available, making its first-year value especially easy to maximize.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $1,230, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Travel credit | Up to $300 each account anniversary year for a broad suite of travel purchases | $300 |
| Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credits | Up to $120 every four years | $120 |
| Lyft credits | $10 monthly in-app credit on Lyft rides | $120 |
| DoorDash DashPass subscription | At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027 | $96 |
| DoorDash nonrestaurant credit | Two separate $10 monthly credits toward nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash when you activate your DashPass membership | $240 |
| DoorDash restaurant credit | $5 monthly | $60 |
- Total potential first-year value: $2,166
- Annual fee: $550
- Net first-year value: $1,616
Note that this calculation does exclude perks like lounge access and the ability to book high-end hotels with added perks through The Edit by Chase Travel program, as both of these are hard to quantify.
To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X makes a splash in the premium cards space thanks to its nonquantifiable lounge access perks for a more modest annual fee compared to other similar options.
Let’s tally up the value you could receive from this travel card.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening | $1,388, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Capital One Travel credit | $300 annual credit for travel bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal | $300 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits | Up to $120 every four years | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: $1,808
- Annual fee: $395
- Net first-year value: $1,413
Venture X cardholders can add multiple authorized users at no charge. Other perks include complimentary cellphone protection, access to Capital One’s Premier Collection of luxury hotels, Hertz President’s Circle elite status*** and trip cancellation and interruption insurance as a Visa Infinite card.
Note that this calculation omitted the 10,000 bonus miles that you’ll receive every account anniversary since this perk doesn’t begin until you renew your card — so it’s technically a benefit in year two.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
***Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is one of the best cards out there for foodies because of its dining-focused perks.
Here’s what to know about this solid Membership Rewards-earning card.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership | $1,200, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Uber Cash | $10 per month (for U.S. services and Uber Eats orders); up to $120 per calendar year**^ | $120 |
| Dining credit | Up to $10 per month in dining statement credits at participating restaurants; up to $120 per calendar year** | $120 |
| Resy credit | Up to $50 in biannual Resy statement credits in the U.S.; up to $100 per calendar year** | $100 |
| Dunkin’ credit | Up to $7 in monthly statement credits for purchases with U.S. Dunkin’ locations; up to $84 per calendar year** | $84 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
^Add your qualifying Amex card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
- Total potential first-year value: $1,624
- Annual fee: $325
- Net first-year value: $1,299
Keep in mind that you could potentially be targeted for an even more valuable welcome offer (up to 90,000 points) through the CardMatch tool, although offers are subject to change at any time.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors Aspire is the top-tier card in the Hilton cobranded card lineup.
If you stay with Hilton regularly, you can get a ton of value out of the card’s benefits.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership; offer ends April 29 | $1,050, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Flight credit | Up to $50 in quarterly statement credits toward eligible flight purchases; up to $200 in a calendar year | $200 |
| Hilton resort credit | Up to $200 in semiannual statement credits on eligible purchases made with participating Hilton resorts; up to $400 in a calendar year | $400 |
| Clear Plus statement credit | Up to $199 toward an annual Clear membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)** | $199 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: $1,849
- Annual fee: $550
- Net first-year value: $1,299
In addition to the quantifiable benefits listed, you’ll also get complimentary Hilton Diamond status, a free night each year (plus a second if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year and a third if you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year) and complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).
To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Aspire Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is the premium option for the most perks when you’re staying at Marriott properties.
The card’s numerous perks help offset its hefty $650 annual fee and provide a lot of first-year value.
| Quantifiable benefit | Perk details | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership; offer ends May 14 | $1,295, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Dining statement credits | Up to $25 monthly for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide; up to $300 per calendar year** | $300 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits | $120 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck every four or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: $1,715
- Annual fee: $650
- Net first-year value: $1,065
Beyond the above benefits, the card also comes with 25 elite night credits, Priority Pass lounge access** and select travel protections. Additionally, we’re not including the annual free night award (up to 85,000 points worth $595 based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations) in the first-year value since you need to renew your card to receive it. All of these perks could potentially add even more value to the card.
**Enrollment required. Terms apply.
To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Bottom line
Many popular travel credit cards can get you well over $1,000 in value in just the first year of card membership. This guide listed the dollar values of benefits when they were easily available. However, many perks are more subjective.
If you have a card where you spend a lot each year within its bonus categories, you can easily get more than $1,000 in value from a card just based on spending alone. But if you aren’t taking full advantage of benefits offered by a card (such as lounge access, yearly statement credits or elite status), you could get less value from a specific card, as it isn’t suited to your needs.
Hopefully, this gives you a starting point to see which cards offer $1,000 or more in value in the first year to those who can use the benefits to their fullest.
Related: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using each month
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, click here.