Advertiser Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

What is the Annual Fee for a Credit Card? (And Ways to Avoid It)

When you get a credit card in Canada, there is often an annual fee to pay. But what is this fee and do you always have to pay it?

Here we look closer at annual fees, including what they are, when you pay them, and a few potential ways to avoid paying.

What is the Annual Fee on a Credit Card?

The annual fee on a credit card is a fee that some credit card issuers charge you to use the card.

Some fees are quite low, usually for more basic credit cards. But premium credit cards often come with fees of hundreds of dollars.

The fee will likely be higher if a credit comes with more rewards and perks.

When Do You Pay the Annual Fee on a Credit Card?

You usually pay the annual fee when you open the account, then pay it annually if you continue using the card.

However, this is not always the case. For example, some cards now charge the fee monthly instead, so you will pay your fee with each statement.

You should be able to find out how it is charged before you open your account.

How to Avoid Paying the Credit Card Annual Fee

The annual fee is something you need to pay if you want to use the card. But there are several options available if you want to avoid paying it.

Ask Your Bank to Waive the Fee

You could start by asking your bank to waive the annual fee. Credit card companies want to keep their customers, and if they see it as a worthwhile move to waive your fee to keep your business, they may be prepared to do so.

Make sure you call and speak to someone in person and suggest that you are thinking about switching to another credit card. If you are a long-term customer, make this clear too.

Look for Credit Cards with the First Year’s Fee Waived

Some credit cards will have an annual fee waiver for the first year. This is to tempt you to apply for the card.

You can use the card for a whole year without paying any fee, but you will have to pay the fee annually after the first year. After that, you can decide whether it is worth keeping.

Open a Premium Bank Account with Annual Fee Waivers

Some banks allow you to open a premium account and waive the annual credit card fee. Find out about the options at your bank.

Having a bank account and credit card at the same bank may make financial sense if you can save money on the fees.

Downgrade the Credit Card

If you’re spending more than you want on your credit card’s annual fee and are not using its benefits, including the perks and rewards, you may simply want to downgrade your card. You may even be able to retain your rewards balance when you switch.

There are many no-fee credit cards available. Your bank may have some they can provide, but these typically have fewer premium perks.

Is a Credit Card with an Annual Fee Worth It?

If you have a credit card with an annual fee but make more than the fee in discounts and rewards, it is often worth it.

If you pay an annual fee but don’t take advantage of the perks and rewards, you may be better off switching to a no-fee credit card.

FAQs

Are annual fees negotiable?

Annual fees are not normally negotiable, but you may be able to arrange a waiver if you ask your bank.

Does cancelling a card hurt my credit?

No, you can cancel a card without hurting your credit. Just make sure you pay off the total balance.

Is it better to close unused credit cards?

Keeping unused credit cards rather than closing them is often a good idea. However, if you are paying an annual fee, closing the card may make more sense.

What happens if I don’t use my credit card?

If you don’t use your credit card, nothing happens, and you can keep it as an unused card. However, if you pay an annual fee, you’ll need to keep paying this if you don’t cancel the card.

Related: NEXUS Card Canada Guide

Best Credit Offers in September 2023

Earn up to 5% cashback and grow your savings + $20 bonus

Best free prepaid reloadable Mastercard plus a $20 welcome bonus.

No credit check and free budgeting app with automatic savings features.

Increase your credit score with an optional credit building add-on.

Earn up to 2.00% interest on your entire balance.*

Get this guaranteed approval credit card for any credit score ($25 bonus)

Get an instant $25 welcome bonus.

Earn 5% unlimited average cash back at thousands of locations.

Guaranteed approval for poor and bad credit scores. Takes 3 minutes.

No monthly fees and up to 15% cashback on your first purchases.

Enjoy up to 5% cash back at over 10,000 retail locations ($25 Bonus)

Get a $25 bonus when you are approved for the Card.

Earn up to 5% unlimited cash back at 10,000+ participating stores.

No annual account fees.

Guaranteed instant approval credit card with 600+ credit score.

Retirement 101 eBook - 3D

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Business Insider, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.