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The Credit Cards That Lose the Most Value After Year One

On a family's spending, Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card drops the most: ~$2,360 in year 1, then ~$750 a year after fees. 1 of 59 ranked cards gets more than 60% of its 3-year value in year 1.

Year 1 against every year after, biggest drop first

Year 1 Year 2+

Family spending, $3,350 a month, after fees. "~" marks values that depend on point valuations.

  1. 1Chase Air Canada Aeroplan CardChase Air Canada Aeroplan Card
    Yr 1~$2,360
    Yr 2+~$750

    Drop $1,610

  2. 2Chase Sapphire ReserveChase Sapphire Reserve
    Yr 1$1,681
    Yr 2+$681

    Drop $1,000

  3. 3Chase United ExplorerChase United Explorer
    Yr 1~$1,519
    Yr 2+~$529

    Drop $990

  4. 4Chase United QuestChase United Quest
    Yr 1~$1,547
    Yr 2+~$587

    Drop $960

  5. 5Chase Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessChase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
    Yr 1~$1,698
    Yr 2+~$809

    Drop $890

  6. 6Chase British Airways Visa SignatureChase British Airways Visa Signature
    Yr 1~$1,205
    Yr 2+~$408

    Drop $798

  7. 7Chase IHG One Rewards PremierChase IHG One Rewards Premier
    Yr 1~$2,010
    Yr 2+~$1,243

    Drop $767

  8. 8Bank of America Atmos Rewards AscentBank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent
    Yr 1~$1,418
    Yr 2+~$668

    Drop $750

  9. 9Chase Sapphire PreferredChase Sapphire Preferred
    Yr 1$1,343
    Yr 2+$593

    Drop $750

  10. 10Chase IHG One RewardsChase IHG One Rewards
    Yr 1~$1,355
    Yr 2+~$618

    Drop $738

  11. 11Chase World of HyattChase World of Hyatt
    Yr 1~$1,318
    Yr 2+~$643

    Drop $675

  12. 12Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards PriorityChase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
    Yr 1~$1,185
    Yr 2+~$529

    Drop $656

  13. 13Discover it Cash BackDiscover it Cash Back
    Yr 1$1,226
    Yr 2+$613

    Drop $613

  14. 14Discover it SecuredDiscover it Secured
    Yr 1$1,226
    Yr 2+$613

    Drop $613

  15. 15Discover it Student Cash BackDiscover it Student Cash Back
    Yr 1$1,226
    Yr 2+$613

    Drop $613

All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.

Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.

Worth the most every year after

  1. 1. Chase IHG One Rewards Premier~$1,243/yr
  2. 2. Wells Fargo One Key Card$864/yr
  3. 3. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless~$809/yr
  4. 4. Citi Double Cash$804/yr
  5. 5. Wells Fargo Active Cash$804/yr

Mostly first-year value

1 card gets more than 60% of its 3-year value in year 1, or nothing after it. It carries a "Mostly first-year value" flag in the card comparison, where you can rank every card on your own spending.

Frequently asked questions

Why do cards lose value after the first year?

Year 1 includes the welcome bonus, first-year fee waivers, one-time credits and intro APR savings. From year 2 a card only has what it earns on your spending and its ongoing credits, minus the full annual fee.

Is a card with a big drop a bad card?

Not necessarily: a large welcome bonus is real money. But if you plan to keep the card, compare its year 2+ value, which is what it's worth to you every year after.

Which cards are worth the most every year after?

On the same family spending: Chase IHG One Rewards Premier (~$1,243 a year), Wells Fargo One Key Card ($864 a year), Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (~$809 a year).

What spending is this based on?

The family preset: $3,350 a month (family), points at their cash value, the welcome bonus counted when the spending meets it in time. Your own spending can change the order.

Terms are read from each issuer's page and may change. See how cards are valued. You're welcome to cite this data with a link to this page.