Credit cards that provide $1,000 or more in first-year value

As credit card annual fees continue to climb, it’s natural to start questioning how much value you’re getting from adding a new card to your wallet. This is especially true since multiple cards out there charge no annual fee.

However, there can be solid reasons to pay an annual fee. Many popular rewards cards come with an annual fee but provide outsize value in the form of statement credits, welcome bonuses and other quantifiable perks.

Let’s dive into our top cards that actually provide more than $1,000 in value in your first year of card membership.

Methodology

Here are the four factors we considered to arrive at these values:

• Welcome offer: We assigned a dollar amount to a card’s welcome offer based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations.
• Annual statement credits: We counted credits toward travel, dining, resort stays and other categories.
• Quantifiable perks and benefits: We added benefits that can be assigned a specific dollar amount. This means we excluded factors that aren’t as quantifiable, such as lounge access and elite status. We also excluded anniversary benefits that only apply to the second year of card membership.
• Annual fee: We subtracted the annual fee from the card’s overall value. Even after subtracting this amount, all the cards listed still provide more than $1,000 in first-year value.

Finally, please note that just because a card didn’t make this list doesn’t mean it can’t provide this type of value. Cards not on this list provide value on a case-by-case basis.

Related: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?

Cards that provide $1,000-plus in first-year value

Card	Welcome offer value*	Total potential first-year value	Annual fee	Net first-year value
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees)	$4,100	$6,260	$795	$5,465
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	$3,000	Up to $5,609	$695 (see rates and fees)	Up to $4,914
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Up to $3,500	Up to $5,224	$695 (see rates and fees)	Up to $4,529
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)	Up to $2,550	Up to $4,860	$795	Up to $4,065
American Express® Gold Card	Up to $2,000	Up to $2,424	$325 (see rates and fees)	Up to $2,099
United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees)	$1,300	Up to $2,310	$350	Up to $1,960
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)	$1,845	$1,845	$95	$1,750
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)	$1,538	$1,804	$95	$1,709
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	$1,388	Up to $1,508	$95	Up to $1,413
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	$1,388	Up to $1,808	$395	Up to $1,413
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	$875	$1,684	$550	$1,134

*The welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s July 2025 valuations and is not provided by or reviewed by the issuer.

The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Now that we’ve introduced the 11 cards that provide at least $1,000 in first-year value, let’s get into the specifics to help you decide which is best for you.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

In 2025, Chase introduced its premium business card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, oriented toward high-spending business owners who could maximize the multiple credits offered by the product.

Many of the benefits are statement credits toward purchases that business owners may find themselves making.

• Total potential first-year value: $6,260
• Annual fee: $795
• Net first-year value: $5,465

The Sapphire Reserve for Business also offers lounge access, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through Dec. 31, 2027 and Visa Infinite purchase protection and travel insurance perks.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

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The Business Platinum Card from American Express

For small-business owners, The Business Platinum Card from American Express can yield a ton of value in the first year, thanks to the array of perks on the card.

Most benefits come as statement credits, many of which specifically connect to business-related expenses.

**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.

• Total potential first-year value: Up to $5,609
• Annual fee: $695
• Net first-year value: Up to $4,914

Along with its quantifiable benefits, the Amex Business Platinum provides elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment is required) and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to more than 1,400 lounges.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.

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Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

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The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best travel cards available for luxury travelers because of its extensive lineup of perks.

These quantifiable benefits are only part of the equation.

**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
^Add your qualifying Amex card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
^^Eligible charges vary by property.

• Total potential first-year value: Up to $5,224
• Annual fee: $695
• Net first-year value: Up to $4,529

Like its business counterpart, the Amex Platinum also grants lounge access and Marriott and Hilton elite status (enrollment required). You’ll also receive rental car privileges, access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, travel and purchase protections and access to the Amex Platinum concierge. Keep in mind, our calculations did not include the value of these perks since they are not quantifiable.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.

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Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

The premium Chase Sapphire Reserve was revamped in 2025 to include a long list of new statement credits that help offset the card’s high $795 annual fee.

Still, the Sapphire Reserve’s annual travel credit is one of the most flexible credits available, making that part of its first-year value easy to maximize.

• Total potential first-year value: $4,860
• Annual fee: $795
• Net first-year value: $4,065

Note that this calculation does not include perks like lounge access and complimentary IHG One Platinum elite status, as these are difficult to quantify.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.

***Note that the terms for the travel credit state: The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only, if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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American Express Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is one of the best cards out there for foodies because of its dining-focused perks.

Here’s what to know about this solid Membership Rewards-earning card.

**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: $2,424
• Annual fee: $325
• Net first-year value: $2,099

This card can provide some serious value if you’re willing to use all of the credits and make the most of the welcome bonus.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.

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Apply here: American Express Gold Card

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United Quest Card

The United Quest Card is currently offering its highest-ever welcome bonus that contributes to its high first-year value.

Here’s what to know about this solid Membership Rewards-earning card.

• Total potential first-year value: Up to $2,310
• Annual fee: $350
• Net first-year value: Up to $1,960

Certain non-quantifiable perks, like the PQPs included in the welcome offer, earned through spending and annual PQP boost, are not included in the card’s value here. However, if you frequently fly with United and are working toward status, these benefits could take the card over the edge.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.

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Apply here: United Quest Card

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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

In addition to the fantastic welcome bonus offered by the Ink Business Preferred, this card’s primary value is its earning structure. However, value from earning structure can be hard to quantify since it depends entirely on your spending habits.

Regardless, the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ll receive from the welcome bonus catapult this card’s first-year value to over $1,000.

• Total potential first-year value: $1,845
• Annual fee: $95
• Net first-year value: $1,750

Here are the related earning rates, which could be beneficial depending on your spending habits:

• 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year: travel, shipping, advertising, internet, cable and phone services
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

This card only charges a $95 annual fee, making it easy to consider keeping it for the long term.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

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Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best cards for beginners.

Much of the value of the Sapphire Preferred comes from its welcome bonus. However, that’s not the only quantifiable benefit for its $95 annual fee.

• Total potential first-year value: $1,804
• Annual fee: $95
• Net first-year value: $1,709

You’ll also receive a 10% points bonus on your cardmember anniversary based on the total amount you spent in the previous year. However, since the value of this perk depends on your spending activity, it’s not included in the above calculation.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Card

While the Venture Rewards card doesn’t have a long list of benefits, it offers a strong welcome bonus relative to its annual fee.

Transferring your miles to one of Capital One’s 15-plus loyalty partners is the best way to maximize your rewards.

• Total potential first-year value: Up to $1,508
• Annual fee: $95
• Net first-year value: Up to $1,413

This card’s benefits are similar to those of the Venture X. It’s important to weigh the value you’ll receive with the lower annual fee Venture Rewards compared to the premium option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X makes a splash in the premium cards space thanks to its non-quantifiable lounge access perks for a more modest annual fee compared to other similar options.

Let’s tally up the value you could receive from this travel card.

• Total potential first-year value: $1,808
• Annual fee: $395
• Net first-year value: Up to $1,413

Venture X cardholders also receive complimentary cellphone protection, access to Capital One’s Premier Collection of luxury hotels, Hertz President’s Circle elite status**** and trip cancellation and interruption insurance as a Visa Infinite card.

Note that this calculation omitted the 10,000 bonus miles that you’ll receive every account anniversary since this perk doesn’t begin until you renew your card, so it’s technically a benefit in year two.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.

****Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors Aspire is the top-tier card in the Hilton cobranded card lineup.

If you stay with Hilton regularly, you can get a ton of value out of the card’s benefits.

Quantifiable benefit	Perk details	Value
Welcome offer	Earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership; offer ends Aug. 13	$875, per TPG’s July 2025 valuations
Flight credit	Up to $50 in quarterly statement credits toward eligible flight purchases; up to $200 on flight purchases in a calendar year	$200
Hilton resort credit	Up to $200 in semiannual statement credits on eligible purchases made with participating Hilton resorts; up to $400 in a calendar year	$400
Clear Plus statement credit	Up to $199 toward an annual Clear membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)**	$209

**Enrollment is required. Terms apply.

• Total potential first-year value: $1,684
• Annual fee: $550
• Net first-year value: $1,134

In addition to the quantifiable benefits listed, you’ll also get complimentary Hilton Diamond status, a free night each year (plus a second if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year and a third if you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year) and complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Aspire Card.

Bottom line

Many popular travel credit cards can get you well over $1,000 in value in just the first year of card membership. This guide lists the dollar values of benefits when they were easily available. However, many perks are more subjective.

If you have a card where you spend a lot each year within its bonus categories, you can easily get more than $1,000 in value from a card just based on spending alone. But if you aren’t taking full advantage of the benefits offered by a card (such as lounge access, yearly statement credits or elite status), you could get less value from a specific card, as it isn’t suited to your needs.

Hopefully, this gives you a starting point to see which cards offer $1,000 or more in value in the first year to those who can use the benefits to their fullest.

Related: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using each month

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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The American Express Gold Card, click here.