how is using 7,500 points to offset the fee the better offer? I feel like almost everyone here would disagree with that assessment

I’d rather get some points to use for a future trip/first class ticket. That use case would exceed the 1.25cpp value of using 7,500 points toward the $95 fee

i think the other poster missed the “using”. When I first (mis-) read your post, I, too, wondered why you rejected the 7500 points. Reading it more thoroughly I found my mistake. And no, your post is absolutely clear, but in my case at least I was just skimming it instead of reading it thoroughly.