Worth My Fee — sample audit
Every advertised credit, scored against 12 months of real behavior — then netted against what redeeming it would cost you elsewhere. This is a demonstration portfolio: four cards, hotel elite status.
Annual fees $2,180 · advertised $6,062 · reachable $762 · beyond the credits +$1,241 · 13¢ per advertised dollar
Open the interactive audit · Run it on your own cards · How it works
The Platinum Card American Express · $895 annual fee
cancel · −$586 net of fee · $200 of $3,024 advertised reachable
- claim · Uber Cash: $200 → $200
- behavior change · Hotel Credit (FHR / The Hotel Collection): $600 → $0
- ignore · Resy Dining Credit: $400 → $0
- ignore · Digital Entertainment Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · Uber One Membership Credit: $120 → $0
- ignore · Airline Fee Credit: $200 → $0
- ignore · lululemon Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · Oura Ring Credit: $200 → $0
- ignore · Equinox Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · CLEAR Plus Credit: $219 → $0
- ignore · Walmart+ Membership Credit: $155 → $0
- ignore · Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: $30 → $0
Beyond the credits
- Grants Hilton Honors Gold: +$0
- Grants Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite: +$90
- Global Lounge Collection (Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta): +$0
- Points earning premium: +$19
Citi Strata Premier Citi · $95 annual fee
downgrade · −$3 net of fee · $0 of $100 advertised reachable
- trap · Citi Travel Hotel Benefit: $100 → $0
Beyond the credits
- Points earning premium: +$92
Venture X Capital One · $395 annual fee
keep · +$174 net of fee · $100 of $430 advertised reachable
- claim · 10,000 Anniversary Bonus Miles: $100 → $100
- behavior change · Capital One Travel Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: $30 → $0
Beyond the credits
- Capital One Lounges + Priority Pass: +$469
- Points earning premium: +$0
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase · $795 annual fee
keep · +$238 net of fee · $462 of $2,508 advertised reachable
- claim · $300 Annual Travel Credit: $300 → $300
- claim · Lyft In-App Credit: $120 → $120
- behavior change · DoorDash Monthly Promos: $300 → $42
- behavior change · The Edit Hotel Credit: $500 → $0
- behavior change · $250 Select Hotels Credit (2026): $250 → $0
- ignore · Exclusive Tables Dining Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · StubHub / viagogo Credit: $300 → $0
- ignore · Peloton Membership Credit: $120 → $0
- ignore · Apple TV+ & Apple Music Subscriptions: $288 → $0
- ignore · Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit: $30 → $0
Beyond the credits
- Grants IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite: +$200
- Priority Pass + Chase Sapphire Lounges: +$0
- Points earning premium: +$371
Verdicts are estimates from transaction evidence and published program terms as of the dates cited in the benefit database; issuer and loyalty terms change. Not financial advice.