Yeah $500/yr fee is ridiculous. I think my card is 1/4 of that and I’m sure I break even the first month since almost everything I pay for goes through that card. Utilities, cell phone bills, after school program fees (and before that daycare), all other recurring bills besides mortgage/car, restaurants, groceries, anything else I want or need to buy go through the same card. Always pay the balance in full each month no matter how painful.