As bank card annual charges proceed to climb, it is pure to start out questioning how a lot value you are getting from including a brand new card to your pockets. This is particularly true since a number of cards on the market cost no annual payment.
However, there might be stable causes to pay an annual payment. Many widespread rewards cards include an annual payment however provide outsize value in the type of assertion credit, welcome bonuses and different quantifiable perks.
Let’s dive into our prime cards that really provide more than $1,000 in value in your first yr of card membership.
Methodology
Here are the 4 elements we thought-about to reach at these values:
- Welcome supply: We assigned a greenback quantity to a card’s welcome supply primarily based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations.
- Annual assertion credit: We counted credit towards journey, eating, resort stays and different classes.
- Quantifiable perks and advantages: We added advantages that might be assigned a selected greenback quantity. This means we excluded elements that aren’t as quantifiable, resembling lounge entry and elite standing. We additionally excluded anniversary advantages that solely apply to the second yr of card membership.
- Annual payment: We subtracted the annual payment from the cardboard’s general value. Even after subtracting this quantity, all of the cards listed nonetheless provide more than $1,000 in first-year value.
Finally, please notice that simply because a card did not make this listing does not imply it will probably’t provide this sort of value. Cards not on this listing provide value on a case-by-case foundation.
Related: Are premium credit score cards well worth the annual payment?
Cards that provide $1,000-plus in first-year value
| Card | Welcome supply value* | Total potential first-year value | Annual payment | Net first-year value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $3,500 | Up to $5,249 | $695 (see charges and costs) | Up to $4,554 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $1,600 | $3,314 | $695 (see charges and costs) | $2,619 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see charges and costs) | $2,050 | $2,316 | $95 | $2,221 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see charges and costs) | $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 charges and costs) | $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 charges and costs) | $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 charges and costs) | $1,065 |
*The welcome supply value is decided utilizing TPG’s April 2025 valuations and isn’t offered by or reviewed by the issuer.
The info for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily e-newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Now that we have launched the ten cards that provide at the least $1,000 in first-year value, let’s get into the specifics that can assist you resolve which is finest for you.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
For small-business homeowners, The Business Platinum Card from American Express can yield a ton of value in the primary yr, because of the array of perks on the cardboard.
Most advantages come as assertion credit, a lot of which particularly hook up with business-related bills.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 150,000 factors after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first three months of card membership, plus a $500 assertion after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked immediately with airways or by means of American Express Travel throughout the first three months of card membership. Offer ends June 30 and you may earn one or each of those gives | Up to $3,500, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Airline incidental assertion credit on one chosen airline | Up to $200 in assertion credit per calendar yr on incidentals, resembling checked baggage and inflight refreshments, on one chosen airline** | $200 |
| Hilton assertion credit | Up to $50 per quarter for eligible purchases made in the Hilton portfolio; as much as $200 per calendar yr** | $200 |
| Dell assertion credit score | Up to $200 in semiannual assertion credit for Dell purchases made in the U.S.; as much as $400 per calendar yr (this credit score is ready to vary on July 1)** | $400 |
| Indeed assertion credit score | Up to $90 in quarterly assertion credit on all Indeed hiring and recruiting services and products to submit open positions and discover expertise; as much as $360 per calendar yr** | $360 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck software payment credit | $120 for Global Entry or as much as $85 for TSA PreCheck each 4 or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
| Clear Plus assertion credit score | Up to $199 towards an annual Clear membership for expedited airport safety (topic to auto-renewal)** | $199 |
| Adobe assertion credit score | Up to $150 annual assertion credit score on choose Adobe purchases, together with Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC (topic to auto-renewal; this credit score is ready to vary on July 1)** | $150 |
| Wireless credit score | Up to $10 per 30 days for purchases made with U.S. wi-fi phone companies; as much as $120 per calendar yr** | $120 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: Up to $5,249
- Annual payment: $695
- Net first-year value: Up to $4,554
Along with its quantifiable advantages, the Amex Business Platinum offers elite standing with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required)and entry to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which incorporates more than 1,400 lounges.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply right here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is likely one of the finest journey cards accessible for luxurious vacationers due to its in depth lineup of perks.
These quantifiable advantages are solely a part of the equation.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 80,000 factors after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of card membership | $1,600, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Uber Cash | $15 per 30 days, plus an extra $20 in December (for U.S. companies); as much as $200 per calendar yr**^ | $200 |
| Airline incidental assertion credit on one chosen airline | Up to $200 in assertion credit per calendar yr on incidentals, resembling checked baggage and inflight refreshments, on one chosen airline** | $200 |
| Saks Fifth Avenue assertion credit | Up to $50 in semiannual credit for Saks Fifth Avenue; as much as $100 per calendar yr** | $100 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck software payment credit | $120 for Global Entry or as much as $85 for TSA PreCheck each 4 or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
| Hotel credit score | Up to $200 in assertion credit on pay as you go bookings with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection^^ properties made by means of American Express Travel; The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimal keep** | $200 |
| Digital leisure credit | Up to $20 in month-to-month assertion credit for choose digital leisure and streaming companies; as much as $240 per calendar yr** | $240 |
| Equinox credit score | Up to $300 in annual assertion credit for choose Equinox memberships, together with the app (topic to auto-renewal)** | $300 |
| Walmart+ credit score | Up to $12.95 month-to-month for one recurring Walmart+ membership (topic to auto-renewal; plus relevant taxes); Plus Up advantages are usually not eligible | $155 |
| Clear Plus assertion credit score | Up to $199 towards an annual Clear membership for expedited airport safety (topic 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 expenses fluctuate by property.
- Total potential first-year value: $3,314
- Annual payment: $695
- Net first-year value: $2,619
Like its enterprise counterpart, the Amex Platinum additionally grants lounge entry and Marriott and Hilton elite standing (enrollment required). You’ll additionally obtain rental automotive privileges, entry to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, journey and buy protections and entry to the Amex Platinum concierge. Keep in thoughts, our calculations didn’t embrace the value of those perks since they don’t seem to be quantifiable.
You may even be focused for a better welcome supply by way of the CardMatch device (supply topic to vary at any time) that may provide even more first-year value.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is likely one of the finest cards for newcomers.
Much of the value of the Sapphire Preferred comes from its limited-time profitable welcome bonus. However, that’s not the one quantifiable profit for its $95 annual payment.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases in the primary three months of account opening | $2,050, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Hotel credit score | Up to $50 annual credit score on resort stays bought by means of Chase Travel℠ | $50 |
| DoorDash SprintPass subscription | At least 12 months of complimentary SprintPass whenever you activate by Dec. 31, 2027 | $96 |
| DoorDash nonrestaurant credit score | Up to $10 every month towards nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash whenever you activate your SprintPass membership | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: $2,316
- Annual payment: $95
- Net first-year value: $2,221
You’ll additionally obtain a ten% factors bonus in your cardmember anniversary primarily based on the entire quantity you spent in the earlier yr. However, for the reason that value of this perk is dependent upon your spending exercise, it is not included in the above calculation.
Sapphire Preferred Card holders with an activated SprintPass membership can get $10 every month towards nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash, which is a good way to avoid wasting on a fast comfort retailer buy.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
In addition to the incredible welcome bonus provided by the Ink Business Preferred, this card’s major value is its incomes construction. However, value from incomes construction might be exhausting to quantify because it relies upon totally in your spending habits.
Regardless, the Chase Ultimate Rewards factors you will obtain from the welcome bonus catapult this card’s first-year value to over $1,000.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 90,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases in the primary three months from account opening | $1,845, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
- Total potential first-year value: $1,845
- Annual payment: $95
- Net first-year value: $1,750
Here are the associated incomes charges, which may very well be useful relying in your spending habits:
- 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $150,000 in mixed purchases in the next classes every account anniversary yr: journey, delivery, promoting, web, cable and cellphone companies
- 1 level per greenback spent on every little thing else
This card solely expenses a $95 annual payment, making it simple to think about retaining it for the long run.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply right here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
While the Venture Rewards card would not have a protracted listing of advantages, it gives a powerful welcome bonus relative to its annual payment.
Transferring your miles to one in every of Capital One’s 15-plus loyalty companions is one of the simplest ways to maximise your rewards.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the primary three months of account opening, in addition to obtain a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit score to make use of in the primary cardholder yr | Up to $1,638, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck software payment credit | Up to $120 each 4 years | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: Up to $1,758
- Annual payment: $95
- Net first-year value: $1,663
This card’s advantages are much like these of the Venture X. It’s vital to weigh the value you will obtain with the decrease annual payment Venture Rewards in comparison with the premium possibility.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The premium Chase Sapphire Reserve makes this listing because of its stable welcome supply and easy-to-use journey assertion credit score.
The Sapphire Reserve’s annual journey credit score is likely one of the most versatile credit accessible, making its first-year value particularly simple to maximise.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases in the primary three months from account opening | $1,230, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Travel credit score | Up to $300 every account anniversary yr for a broad suite of journey purchases | $300 |
| Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software payment credit | Up to $120 each 4 years | $120 |
| Lyft credit | $10 month-to-month in-app credit score on Lyft rides | $120 |
| DoorDash SprintPass subscription | At least 12 months of complimentary SprintPass whenever you activate by Dec. 31, 2027 | $96 |
| DoorDash nonrestaurant credit score | Two separate $10 month-to-month credit towards nonrestaurant purchases on DoorDash whenever you activate your SprintPass membership | $240 |
| DoorDash restaurant credit score | $5 month-to-month | $60 |
- Total potential first-year value: $2,166
- Annual payment: $550
- Net first-year value: $1,616
Note that this calculation does exclude perks like lounge entry and the flexibility to ebook high-end accommodations with added perks by means of The Edit by Chase Travel program, as each of those are exhausting to quantify.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X makes a splash in the premium cards house because of its nonquantifiable lounge entry perks for a more modest annual payment in comparison with different related choices.
Let’s tally up the value you would obtain from this journey card.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the primary three months of account opening | $1,388, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Capital One Travel credit score | $300 annual credit score for journey bookings made by means of the Capital One Travel portal | $300 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck software payment credit | Up to $120 each 4 years | $120 |
- Total potential first-year value: $1,808
- Annual payment: $395
- Net first-year value: $1,413
Venture X cardholders can add a number of licensed customers at no cost. Other perks embrace complimentary cellphone safety, entry to Capital One’s Premier Collection of luxurious accommodations, Hertz President’s Circle elite standing*** and journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage as a Visa Infinite card.
Note that this calculation omitted the ten,000 bonus miles that you will obtain each account anniversary since this perk would not start till you renew your card — so it is technically a profit in yr two.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Capital One Venture X.
***Upon enrollment, accessible by means of the Capital One web site or cell app, eligible cardholders will stay at that standing stage by means of the length of the supply. Please notice that enrolling by means of the conventional Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g., at hertz.com) is not going to mechanically detect a cardholder as being eligible for this system, and cardholders is not going to be mechanically upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Additional phrases apply.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is likely one of the finest cards on the market for foodies due to its dining-focused perks.
Here’s what to find out about this stable Membership Rewards-earning card.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 60,000 factors after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of card membership | $1,200, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Uber Cash | $10 per 30 days (for U.S. companies and Uber Eats orders); as much as $120 per calendar yr**^ | $120 |
| Dining credit score | Up to $10 per 30 days in eating assertion credit at taking part eating places; as much as $120 per calendar yr** | $120 |
| Resy credit score | Up to $50 in biannual Resy assertion credit in the U.S.; as much as $100 per calendar yr** | $100 |
| Dunkin’ credit score | Up to $7 in month-to-month assertion credit for purchases with U.S. Dunkin’ areas; as much as $84 per calendar yr** | $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 payment: $325
- Net first-year value: $1,299
Keep in thoughts that you would probably be focused for a fair more useful welcome supply (as much as 90,000 factors) by means of the CardMatch device, though gives are topic to vary at any time.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Amex Gold.
Apply right 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 stick with Hilton often, you will get a ton of value out of the cardboard’s advantages.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 175,000 factors after spending $6,000 on purchases in the primary six months of card membership; supply ends April 29 | $1,050, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Flight credit score | Up to $50 in quarterly assertion credit towards eligible flight purchases; as much as $200 in a calendar yr | $200 |
| Hilton resort credit score | Up to $200 in semiannual assertion credit on eligible purchases made with taking part Hilton resorts; as much as $400 in a calendar yr | $400 |
| Clear Plus assertion credit score | Up to $199 towards an annual Clear membership for expedited airport safety (topic to auto-renewal)** | $199 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: $1,849
- Annual payment: $550
- Net first-year value: $1,299
In addition to the quantifiable advantages listed, you will additionally get complimentary Hilton Diamond standing, a free evening every year (plus a second in case you spend $30,000 in a calendar yr and a 3rd in case you spend $60,000 in your card in a calendar yr) and complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive standing (enrollment required).
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Hilton Aspire Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex is the premium possibility for essentially the most perks whenever you’re staying at Marriott properties.
The card’s quite a few perks assist offset its hefty $650 annual payment and provide plenty of first-year value.
| Quantifiable profit | Perk particulars | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | 185,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership; supply ends May 14 | $1,295, per TPG’s April 2025 valuations |
| Dining assertion credit | Up to $25 month-to-month for eligible purchases at eating places worldwide; as much as $300 per calendar yr** | $300 |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck software payment credit | $120 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck each 4 or 4 1/2 years** | $120 |
**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
- Total potential first-year value: $1,715
- Annual payment: $650
- Net first-year value: $1,065
Beyond the above advantages, the cardboard additionally comes with 25 elite evening credit, Priority Pass lounge entry** and choose journey protections. Additionally, we’re not together with the annual free evening award (as much as 85,000 factors price $595 primarily based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations) in the first-year value since it’s essential renew your card to obtain it. All of those perks may probably add even more value to the cardboard.
**Enrollment required. Terms apply.
To study more, learn our full evaluation of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Bottom line
Many widespread journey credit score cards can get you properly over $1,000 in value in simply the primary yr of card membership. This information listed the greenback values of advantages after they have been simply accessible. However, many perks are more subjective.
If you’ve a card the place you spend rather a lot every year inside its bonus classes, you may simply get more than $1,000 in value from a card simply primarily based on spending alone. But in case you aren’t taking full benefit of advantages provided by a card (resembling lounge entry, yearly assertion credit or elite standing), you would get much less value from a selected card, because it is not suited to your wants.
Hopefully, this provides you a place to begin to see which cards supply $1,000 or more in value in the primary yr to those that can use the advantages to their fullest.
Related: Credit card perks and advantages you have to be utilizing every month
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will fluctuate by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
For charges and costs of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, click on right here.
For charges and costs of The Platinum Card from American Express, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the American Express Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, click on right here.
