The annual credit card fee is a fee that cardholders need to pay to the bank when using a credit card. It is usually calculated annually starting from the activation of the credit card. Different banks have different charging standards and policies for annual fees. For example, the annual fee for an ordinary credit card is usually between 100 yuan and 300 yuan, while the annual fee for a gold card is more than 200 yuan, while the annual fee for a dual-currency card is usually higher than that for a single-currency card. The annual fee for supplementary cards is usually half that of the main card. For example, the annual fee for supplementary cards of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank is half that of the main card.

Most banks can waive the annual fee in the first year, and then it needs to be reduced by paying a certain number of times or a certain amount. For example, the credit cards of China Construction Bank and China Everbright Bank only need to be swiped 3 times a year to be exempted from the annual fee for the next year, while Bank of Communications requires 6 swipes (no limit on amount) or 6 primary cards/6 supplementary cards within a year. Some card types of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank require 6 swipes or accumulation of points to qualify for annual fee exemption. However, Minsheng Bank and Shenzhen Development Bank have higher annual fee exemption thresholds, requiring 8 and 18 swipes respectively.

The annual fee billing cycles and rules of banks are also different. Some are calculated from the card opening date, and some are calculated from the card verification date. If you do not use the credit card in the first year after application, you may be charged an annual fee directly when you open the card in the second year. High-end platinum credit cards usually do not enjoy annual fee-free benefits. Regardless of whether they are activated or not, once issued, an annual fee is usually required. For example, Industrial Bank's GOLF Platinum Credit Card clearly states that an annual fee will be charged even if it is not activated, and it will not be refunded.

In short, the annual fee for a credit card is a fee that needs to be considered when using a credit card. When applying, be sure to understand the annual fee policy of each bank in detail in order to make an informed decision.