Calculator
Does the annual fee earn itself back?
Enter your monthly spending pattern in three simple buckets. We calculate the value of the points you'd earn, add in the credits you'd predictably use, and tell you whether the card pays for itself.
Yes — the fee pays for itself
+$521net/year
Breakdown
Dining points (1x)4,800 pts
Travel points (5x)12,000 pts
Everyday points (1x)24,000 pts
Total points earned40,800 pts
× 2.00¢/pt (our valuation)$816
$200 hotel + $200 airline + $200 Uber (used fully)+ $600
Gross value$1,416
Annual fee− $895
Net$521
Simplified — assumes you use the card as a daily driver in the three buckets shown. Real value can be materially higher with careful transfer-partner redemptions and monthly coupon-book credits fully used.
Point values come from our monthly points valuations. Credit values assume you actually use the perks — Amex Gold's $120/mo dining credit returns nothing if you don't eat at Grubhub or Cheesecake Factory. Sophisticated users extract more; casual users extract less.