Annual-fee break-even calculator
Pick a card with an annual fee, enter your monthly spend by category, and see whether rewards plus usable credits beat a 2% no-fee baseline after the fee. Madeen uses cap-aware catalog math from our weekly snapshot — no bank login required.
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How Madeen calculates effective rates · Annual fee guide
Common questions
When does an annual fee make sense?
A fee is worth it when category rewards plus credits you will actually use exceed the fee and beat a simple 2% cash-back card on the same spend. Madeen models cap-aware earn rates from our catalog snapshot.
What spend should I enter?
Use realistic monthly averages for dining, grocery, gas, travel, and everything else. The calculator annualizes each bucket and applies each card’s effective rate including spend caps.
Annual-fee break-even calculator FAQ
How does the break-even calculator work?
Pick a card, enter monthly spend by category, and Madeen estimates annual rewards plus usable statement credits, subtracts the annual fee, and compares the net to a 2% no-fee baseline.
Are insurance coverage limits counted as credits?
No. Madeen excludes insurance coverage maximums from summed credit value — only benefits you can realistically use as credits or perks count toward break-even.
Does this include welcome bonuses?
This tool focuses on ongoing annual value. Welcome bonuses are excluded so you can judge whether the card pays for itself year after year.