Americans paid $130 billion in credit card interest and fees in 2022, according to a new report. Here are three strategies to help limit those charges.
I pay $400 a year for the card itself and pay nothing beyond that. I have lounge access while traveling, get $300 a year in travel vouchers, get dash pass, and Hulu.
Unless you are not paying your balance cc's are easy and save money unless you use them irresponsibly.
Only if you will use the travel vouchers religiously without forcing it, and really want free drinks and sandwiches during waits at airports. If you will use those things, and it's not a forced thing, 100%, you'll save money vs paying for food/drinks at retail prices.
Because it's only "free" if you are going to use the services quite a bit already to make the math work out in your favor. If you don't travel twice a year or more there are better cards out there which offer better discounts.
Maybe Venture X? I have CSR and don’t think I get Hulu with it. I didn’t think Venture X had it either but I can’t think of other cards with 400 annual fee.
Probably not worth, it has a lot of overlap with other cards. The Ritz card provides better lounge access and the CSP has a 10% point bonus per year I think. I keep it because at an effective $250 annual fee (550 - 300 travel credit) I make more than the CSP from travel spend, where it has a 3x multiplier instead of 2x.
Flights go on Amex Plat, Marriott hotels on Ritz, other travel expenses (namely other hotels) on CSR. If you’re not spending enough on one of those categories the value of that respective card drops, save for the Ritz which is just worth it in every scenario.
I get mine for free. And as long as I pay the balance on time there are no costs at all. It's really just convinent. I get a few bonuses, too. Like 15% off a specific car rental (I don't drive) and some points that I can redeem, but so far I never even bothered with any of it.
But paying online is just so much easier with a CC. I don't get the hate.