These 3 Credit Cards' Annual Fees Are Totally Worth It

There are plenty of excellent credit cards with no annual fees. You can get a top-tier cash back rewards rate, a 0% intro APR for more than a year on both balance transfers and new purchases, and excellent protection against fraud without paying a dime in annual fees. So, if all you want is a way to pay for purchases, you can certainly do it while only focusing on no annual fee credit cards.

On the other hand, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should avoid credit cards that have annual fees. Some have extremely valuable benefits that you might not be aware of, and depending on how much you would use them, these can more than justify the card's annual fee in many cases.

With that in mind, here are three excellent cards that have annual fees that could be well worth paying.

1. Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum

With a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees), the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the most expensive card mentioned here. But it's also the most feature packed. If you travel often, and can easily fly Delta from your nearest airport, it could be well worth the cost.

For starters, you'll get free checked bags (normally $30 per bag) for you and up to nine people on the same reservation on every Delta flight. Terms apply. For a family of four, this benefit can be worth $240 alone on a round-trip flight. And the real value generator is the annual companion certificate, which is essentially a buy-one-get-one voucher for a domestic main cabin ticket. Terms apply. When used properly, this can be worth more than $500 all by itself. Plus, you'll get a statement credit that covers the cost of a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership. Terms apply.

2. Capital One Venture Card

If you only travel occasionally and/or don't want to commit to a particular airline, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card could be a great fit for you. It does have a $95 annual fee, but offers some impressive perks for the price point. (See rates and fees.)

The Venture Rewards base earnings rate of 2 miles per $1 on every purchase is the best base rate in the industry and you get a credit to pay for either a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership. Plus, cardholders can get two free visits per year to Capital One's airport lounges or more than 100 others in the Plaza Premium Lounge network. Complimentary lounge access in any form is a rare benefit for a credit card that costs less than $350 per year, and two visits per year could be perfect for infrequent travelers.

3. Bank of America Premium Rewards

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has a $95 annual fee, and has a solid rewards rate on all purchases and a very strong rate for travel and dining purchases. (See rates and fees.) It has one of the best welcome bonuses in the industry, and for Bank of America Preferred Rewards program members, the credit card's reward rate can be as much as 3.5 points per $1 for travel and dining and 2.625 points for all others, which are leaps and bounds beyond what competitors offer.

Beyond that, there is a $100 annual statement credit for airline incidentals such as baggage fees and in-flight food and beverages, and this could pay for the annual fee all by itself. There's also the Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership statement credit as well as excellent travel and purchase protections.

They aren't worth it for everybody

The annual fees charged by these credit cards are clearly not worth it for everyone. For example, if you don't travel often, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card probably wouldn't make sense for you. Consider how often you travel and how many of the common premium travel perks you might be able to take advantage of. Then take a look at our list of the best travel credit cards to compare any applicable annual fees alongside the card benefits to decide which card is the best match for your lifestyle and spending. For the right customers, these cards (and many others) offer great value, despite their annual fees.