I tend to cash out as soon as rewards are available to do so, plus going back and looking at these numbers don't account for certain programs like Amex Offers, BankAmeriDeals, etc. But value is more than cashback or points. For example, I have recovered about $500 from Discover by filing Price Protection claims for electronics I have purchased as an early adapter which then inevitably headed down in price in the next months (including a couple of Black Friday deals that I almost certainly would have missed had I waited as they usually sell out in about 5 miuntes) - and I have had the card just a year. I have maybe - MAYBE - earned half that in cashback from Discover. I have visited a couple of musems on Bank of America's Museums on Us program, and that's a good chunk of money saved.
My Costco Amex (I know, I know) is another one of the more valuable cards to me, not because of its cashback numbers but because it gives me cashback for Costco gas, and because it saves me from having to carry a second card (the Costco membership card). I am guessing that the upcoming Citi Costco Visa will be equally valuable.
My Orbitz Visa holds a high amount of value for me because it allows me to earn a high rewards rate from the vast majority of travel expenses (5% on hotels and air travel) and because of the Orbitz Rewards Program's zero redemption threshold.
Citi Double Cash is valuable not just for its flat rewards but Citi's feature to be able to generate a virtual card number to use for online transactions without the need of a special software intervening.
