Annual fees are a common feature of many credit cards, especially those with premium benefits. These fees can range from $95 on mid-tier cards to over $500 on high-end travel cards. In exchange, cardholders may receive benefits such as travel credits, lounge access, free checked bags, or higher rewards rates. For some users, the perks easily outweigh the cost, but for others, the annual fee may not make sense if they don’t use the benefits often. Many no-annual-fee cards exist, offering decent rewards and basic protections. The decision to choose a card with an annual fee depends on your spending habits and how much value you’ll realistically get from the benefits. It’s a balancing act: sometimes the math works in your favor, sometimes it doesn’t.