Last time I tried to use one of the AA coupons from Citi I found I had to pay a fee to redeem it and also, I think, I had to go to airport to pay and get the ticket. Whatever the problem was, I lost interest in the coupons. And, I am pretty cheap! If some FTers would rather have a $50 coupon than, say a waived annual fee, or some extra FF miles, why then, go for it.

Me, I find, if and when I pay an annual fee, I am sorry later, thinking how I could have just gotten a new card and more bonus miles and not paid the fee.