Twelve credit cards with a first-year value of at least $1,000
In actuality, provided you take advantage of the perks, the majority of rewards cards with yearly fees offer significantly more value than they cost. In fact, the value of a few of the best travel cards can easily exceed $1,000 in the first year.
We'll go over more than a dozen cards with value of at least $1,000 in the first year with you today.
Techniques
Let's first discuss how we measure the value that each individual card offers. We're considering the following for each of our best travel and rewards credit cards:
- Greetings and offer: We calculate the value of bonuses using TPG values.
- Annual statement credits: We include any travel, eating, resort, or other annual statement credits that the card may offer in the total value of the card.
- Automatic elite status: For each programme, we apply the TPG valuation to determine the value of each elite status tier.
- Benefits and perks that can be measured: Not all benefits and perks have a monetary value associated with them. Though we do make some assumptions in this area, we list those that are easier to quantify than others.
- Annual fee: After calculating the total value of a card, we deduct the annual cost. Only credit cards that, after deducting the yearly fees, have a net value of at least $1,000
Please be aware that a card does not necessarily need to be on this list in order to offer this kind of value. Certain cards offer value that isn't listed here.
Cards with a first-year value of at least $1,000
*TPG valuations are used to estimate the welcome offer value, which is not supplied by or examined by the issuer.
The Points Guy has gathered information about the Hilton Honours Aspire Card on its own. The card issuer has not approved or supplied the card data that are displayed on this website.
American Express Business Platinum Credit Card
The following information pertains to the Amex Business Platinum.
- Welcome bonus: based on TPG values, this bonus is worth $3,000.
- Annual airline incidental statement credits of up to $200 on a single chosen airline ($200 value)*
- Dell statement credits of up to $400 are available (for U.S. purchases) $200 semi-annually, valued at $400*
- Every four or four and a half years, you can apply for TSA PreCheck for up to $85 or for Global Entry for up to $100 ($100 value).
- Free Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (worth $805 based on TPG valuations)* Free Hilton Honours Gold elite status (worth $1,220 based on TPG valuations)*
- For all Indeed hiring and recruitment goods and services, you may receive up to $360 in yearly statement credit, up to $90 per quarter ($360 value), and post open positions and locate talent.
- Clear Plus statement credits of up to $189 can be applied towards a yearly Clear subscription.
Initial year net value: $5,849
Because of its many benefits, American Express's Business Platinum Card® can provide small business owners with a great deal of value in the first year. The majority of benefits are provided as statement credits, many of which have a direct connection to costs incurred for business. You might make the most of the over $1,400 in statement credits available with the Business Platinum.
But the card also comes with a tonne of perks for upscale travel, such hotel status at both Marriott and Hilton. Furthermore, you qualify for a 35% refund when you use Pay with Points on any airline's premium-class flights (or for the $200 charge credits on your chosen airline's economy tickets).
Keep in mind that American Express intends to discontinue the Adobe, Indeed, and Dell rewards on January 1, 2025.
Check out our
American Express Platinum Card
Here's everything you should know about Amex Platinum cards.
Welcome offer valued at $1,600 based on TPG valuations
$20 extra in December ($200 value) in addition to $15 per month (for U.S. services) = up to $200 in Uber Cash annually.
Airline incidental statement credits of up to $200 are available per calendar year ($200 value).* $50 semi-annually ($100 value) in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits up to $100 annually* Up to $85 for TSA or up to $100 for Global Entry Every four or every four and a half years, there is a $100 PreCheck application charge.
For prepaid reservations made through American Express Travel at Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection hotels, up to $200 in statement credits are available. A minimum two-night stay is required at The Hotel Collections ($200 value).
*Monthly statement credits of up to $20 (maximum $240)
Because of its wide range of benefits, which go beyond the ones mentioned above, the American Express Platinum Card is among the greatest travel cards for affluent travellers. In addition, you'll receive benefits like car rental privileges, entry to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, purchase and travel protections, access to the Amex Platinum concierge, and, when you travel on same-day Delta flights, unrivalled access to airport lounges like Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs* (enrollment required).
* Beginning on February 1, 2025, eligible Platinum Card holders will enjoy 10 visits to the Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go per eligible Platinum Card annually when using a same-day flight provided by Delta.
You may even
American Express Aspire Card is honoured by Hilton
The following information pertains to the Hilton Amex Aspire.
Welcome bonus: based on TPG values, this is worth $900.
Free Hilton Diamond elite status (worth $2,880 based on TPG valuations)
* Up to $400 in annual Hilton resort statement credits ($200 biannually) * Up to $189 in yearly statement credits when you join up for a Clear Plus membership and pay with your card * Up to $200 in annual flight statement credits ($50 quarterly) * Select perks need enrollment.
Value of net first year: $4,019
Within the Hilton cobranded card portfolio, the Hilton Honours Aspire is the highest tier card. You can get a great deal out of the card's features if you frequent Hilton hotels. Apart from the listed tangible benefits, you'll also receive protection for your mobile, a free night per year (with a
The brilliant American Express card from Marriott Bonvoy
What is known about the Bonvoy Brilliant is provided here.
Welcome bonus: according on TPG estimations, it is worth $798.
Free Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (valued at $2,495 based on TPG estimates)*
Dining statement credits of up to $25 per month for a full calendar year ($300 value)
Every four or four and a half years, you can receive a $100 value credit towards your application fee for TSA PreCheck or up to $100 for Global Entry.
* Certain benefits need enrollment.
Value of net first year: $3,043
In addition to the aforementioned advantages, the card offers specific travel protections, 25 elite night credits, and Priority Pass lounge access (registration required). Furthermore, since you must renew your card in order to earn the yearly free night award, which is worth up to 85,000 points, it is not included in the year one value. Each of these
Premier Credit Card from IHG One Rewards
The following information pertains to the IHG One Rewards Premier.
- Bonus for signing up ($700 worth, based on TPG estimates)
- Free IHG Platinum elite status (worth $1,290 based on TPG valuations)
- $100 credit towards your application fees for Nexus, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry
- Every calendar year, United Airlines TravelBank Cash up to $50
Considering its inexpensive yearly cost, the IHG One Rewards Premier is a powerful tool. Apart from the aforementioned advantages, you will also receive travel protections, a fourth-night award incentive, a 10,000-point bonus after spending $20,000 in a year, and 20% savings when purchasing IHG points. Furthermore, since you have to renew your card in order to receive an anniversary reward night (worth up to 40,000 points), we're not factoring it into our computation like we do with the Bonvoy Brilliant.
Additionally, the elite status valuation for this card, like that of other hotel cards, is predicated on your frequent visits to IHG properties; hence, the value of this benefit may vary based on how frequently you utilise it.
For additional information, see our comprehensive IHG Premier Card review.
Application URL: IHG
American Express Surpass Card is honoured by Hilton
- Greetings and bonus points ($780 value, based on TPG values), but the free night award adds several hundred dollars to your value.
- Gratitude Hilton Gold elite status, valued at $1,220 based on TPG valuations
- When using the card for Hilton purchases, you can receive up to $200 a year in statement credits, or up to $50.
The middle-tier card in the Hilton co-branded card portfolio is the Hilton Honours Surpass. The complete introductory deal may be unlocked by meeting the minimum expenditure criteria, which entitles you to 130,000 points, worth $780 according to TPG. The current deal also comes with a free night prize that may be worth several hundred dollars.
Surpass cardholders receive automatic Gold status, even if they don't frequently stay at Hilton hotels. This status opens up benefits like 80% bonus points on stays, room upgrades with available space, breakfast (or an on-property credit, depending on where you are going), and a fifth night free when you book a stay entirely with points. Additionally, you will receive free Emerald Club Executive status from National Car Rental.
Along with the aforementioned advantages, each of you will receive a free night prize.
The Ink Preferred Business Credit Card
The following information pertains to the Ink Business Preferred.
Welcome offer valued at $2,050 based on TPG estimates.
Value of net first year: $1,955
The card has a $95 annual fee, which makes it a good option to think about maintaining in the long run. You'll also get comprehensive travel coverage, mobile protection, and a 25% redemption incentive via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
For more information, see our comprehensive review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card application link
Credit Card Capital One Venture X Rewards
This is an overview of the Venture X.
Benefits that can be measured:
- Welcome offer valued at $1,388 based on TPG valuations
- An annual $300 credit for reservations booked through Capital One Travel
- Statement credits of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Net first-year value: $1,393
Venture X cardholders also receive these lounge benefits with up to two guests, and they can add more authorised users at no cost (see rates & fees). In addition, Hertz President's Circle exclusive status*, free smartphone protection, access to Capital One's new Premier Collection of upscale hotels, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance as a Visa Infinite card are among the benefits.
Please take note that the 10,000 bonus miles you will earn on each anniversary of your account were not included in this computation.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card application link
The Capital One Venture Rewards Card
What is known about the Venture is as follows.
- Bonus for signing up ($1,388 worth, based on TPG estimations)
- Application fee credit of up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry ($100 value)
The Venture Rewards card offers a limited number of benefits, but if you can spend the $4,000 within the first three months of opening an account, it's difficult to pass up the 75,000-mile incentive.
Additionally, you can transfer your miles to more than 15 travel loyalty partners and receive a credit of up to $100 towards your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership cost when you use the card. you make sure you'd be better off with the less expensive alternative, make sure you compare the card to the Venture X.
For additional information, see our comprehensive analysis of the Capital One Venture Card.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card application link
The Sapphire Preferred Card from Chase
The following information pertains to the Sapphire Preferred.
Benefits that can be measured:
- Welcome bonus valued at $1,538 based on TPG values
- $50 yearly credit towards hotel stays booked through Chase Travel; a $96 one-year subscription to Doordash Dash Pass (activate by December 31, 2024)
A great card for new users, the Chase Sapphire Preferred boasts a low annual fee and a generous sign-up bonus. A 25% redemption incentive is also available for bookings made through the Chase travel portal.
On your cardmember anniversary, you'll additionally get a 10% points bonus based on the total amount you spent the year prior. That being said, this benefit is not factored into the computation above because its value is contingent upon your purchasing behaviour.
For more information, see our comprehensive review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card application link
Sapphire Reserve from Chase
What is known about the Sapphire Reserve is provided here.
Benefits that can be measured:
- Welcome bonus valued at $1,538 based on TPG values
- a travel credit of up to $300 every year your account is anniversary ($300 value)
- a credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years ($100 value)
- $5 in DoorDash credits each month plus a $156 total value (activate by December 31, 2024) one-year DoorDash Dash Pass subscription
Thanks to its current 75,000 Ultimate Rewards point welcome bonus and $300 in statement credits that are automatically applied to travel expenditures every account anniversary year, the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve earns a spot on this list. Please take note that because they are difficult to measure, benefits like Priority Pass lounge access (including dining at participating restaurants) and the opportunity to reserve upscale accommodations with extra benefits through the Luxury Hotels & Resorts programme are not included in this calculation.
For more information, see our comprehensive analysis of the Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve application link
The Gold Card from American Express
The following information pertains to the Amex Gold.
Welcome bonus: based on TPG values, this bonus is worth $1,200.
Uber Cash is available for trips in the US and Uber Eats orders up to $10 per month (a maximum of $120 per year).*
Dining credits of up to $10 each month at participating restaurants (worth up to $120 annually)*
Value net after one year: $1,190
Because of its earning structure and two bonuses that are specifically focused on food, the American Express Gold Card—which is also available in the well-liked Rose Gold version—is among the best credit cards available for foodies. Remember that the CardMatch Tool may be able to target you for an even better welcome offer (up to 90,000 points), albeit offers are subject to change at any time.
For additional information, see our thorough analysis of the Amex Gold.
The American Express Gold Card application link
In summary
In just the first year of card membership, you can gain far over $1,000 in value with several popular travel credit cards. Many credit card bonuses and benefits are more arbitrary, even though we've tried to provide their monetary amounts when possible.
If your annual spending on your credit card falls into one of the bonus areas, you can easily receive over $1,000 in value from your card based only on your spending. On the other hand, let's say you aren't making the most of a credit card's features (such lounge access, annual statement credits, or elite status benefits). If so, a certain card may not offer you the value you require because it isn't appropriate for your needs.
This should provide you with a starting.
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