FYI: You can get an AmEx card without an annual fee through Fidelity.

quoting from the AmEx site:
"Together, American Express and Fidelity Investments® have created an exceptional Card—the Fidelity American Express Gold Card. When you maintain a Fidelity Account, your Gold Card charges are automatically paid from your Fidelity Account at the end of each billing cycle. You'll also enjoy the convenience of managing your expenses with the monthly and year-end Fidelity Account statement, and you can qualify for free ATM transactions. The Card’s annual fee of $75 is waived, compliments of Fidelity Investments. And because the Fidelity Gold Card is a charge card, not a credit card, your bill is paid in full each month, so there is no pre-set spending limit. When you maintain a Fidelity Account, additional Cards are fee-free, so you can share virtually all the benefits and services with your friends or family members."

But if I am reading correctly, the AmEx Gold card is paid at the end of a billing cycle, so if the end of the billing cycle is say the 20th and you made a purchase on the 18th, then you would only have 2 days of float.

Perhaps Fidelity is making out on the float and thus offers the Gold card without an annual fee.

Generally speaking, is it better to give up the float and gain by not paying an annual fee, or is it better to pay the annual fee of $75 and get the float? Opinions? TIA.