Why I Happily Pay Credit Card Fees (And You Should Too)

Why I Happily Pay Credit Card Fees (And You Should Too)

From Points Too Paradise by Megan Lanford

April 14, 2026 · 13 min · Season 1 · Episode 110

About this episode

Megan Lanford discusses the benefits of paying credit card fees to unlock travel rewards.

Most people avoid credit card fees at all costs… but what if that mindset is actually costing you thousands in travel? In this episode, I’m breaking down why I intentionally pay fees on things like taxes, business expenses, and large bills—and how those small fees can unlock massive travel rewards. We’re talking real strategy here. Not just “put everything on a card,” but how to use your spending on purpose to hit signup bonuses, earn points faster, and turn everyday expenses into flights, hotels, and dream trips. If you’ve ever questioned whether paying a fee is “worth it,” this episode will completely change how you think about it. What You’ll Learn Why avoiding credit card fees could be holding you back The exact situations where paying a fee does make sense How signup bonuses completely change the math A simple breakdown of how a small fee can turn into thousands in travel When you should not pay a fee (this part matters) How to start thinking strategically instead of reactively with your spending Want Help Doing This the Right Way? This is exactly what I teach inside Travel Points Academy . Instead of guessing which cards to open, how to hit the spend, or how to actually use…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Lanford

Topics covered

  • credit card fees
  • travel rewards
  • spending strategy
  • signup bonuses
  • financial education

Keywords

  • credit card fees
  • travel rewards
  • spending strategy
  • signup bonuses
  • financial tips

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Travel Points Academy

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