Free tool · Transparent math
Card Finder
Most "best card" lists are the same for everyone. This one isn't: tell us how you actually spend, and we calculate the estimated dollar value of every card — and show our work.
1. What are you optimizing for?
Travel cards win big through transfer partners; cash back is simpler.
2. Annual fee comfort zone?
High-fee cards often out-earn their fee — we'll show the math either way.
3. Your monthly spending
Rough numbers are fine — they drive the value estimate for every card.
How the ranking works
1. Your spend × real earn rates
We parse each card's published earning structure into per-category multipliers (dining, groceries, gas, travel, and more) and apply them to your monthly numbers. Portal-restricted multipliers are discounted, because 5x "through the issuer portal" isn't 5x on every trip.
2. Honest point values
Points are valued at each program's published baseline (for example, 1.25¢ through a travel portal) — not inflated "up to" valuations. If you transfer to airline partners and book sweet spots, your real value can be far higher; our Sweet Spotter finds those redemptions.
3. Fees and bonuses, netted out
The first-year estimate adds the welcome bonus (with its spending requirement shown) and subtracts the annual fee. We also show the ongoing yearly value so you know what the card is worth in year two — before perks and statement credits, which we list on each review.