Why would someone get a credit card with an annual fee?

Card issuers charge annual fees to offset the cost of offering cardholders numerous features and benefits. They wouldn’t be able to offer annual $300 travel credits, Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck credit or competitive rewards programs for free.

Why would a person choose to use a credit card with an annual fee?

Credit cards with annual fees typically dole out more rewards per dollar, better perks, and more comprehensive insurance benefits than their no fee counterparts.

Should you get a card that has an annual fee?

You can find plenty of rewarding credit cards that won’t charge you for the privilege of carrying them. But generally, cards that do charge annual fees offer even better benefits or perks — extras that can easily outstrip the cost of such fees. In many cases, you’ll come out ahead, despite the upfront cost.

What does it mean when a credit card has an annual fee?

What is an annual fee? An annual fee is a yearly charge by banks and financial institutions to customers for use of their credit cards. The card issuer adds the annual fee to the customer’s statement.

What happens if you cancel a credit card with an annual fee?

If you do have a zero balance on the card and end up getting your annual fee refunded, you may end up with a negative balance. If this happens, the credit card company will send you a check in the mail. Make sure to make a note of it and follow up to make sure you receive a refund check.

Does closing a credit card hurt your credit?

A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score⁠; just remember that paying down credit card balances first (not just the one you’re canceling) is key. Closing a charge card won’t affect your credit history (history is a factor in your overall credit score).

Can annual fees be waived?

You could ask to speak to your credit card issuer’s retention department and tell them that you want to cancel your card to avoid being charged the annual fee. If they’re worried about losing your business, they may offer to waive the fee for you.

What happens if you have a credit card and don’t use it?

You might think they’d rather keep it open in the event that you might use it and rack up interest charges. However, if enough time goes by without activity, the issuer actually loses money on your dormant account. Most credit card issuers do not charge an inactivity or dormant account fee on unused credit cards.