How I Review and Rank Credit Cards

Most credit card review sites use proprietary algorithms and vague "editorial scores." I use math.

Every card on ProofLabs is evaluated the same way: how much real money does it put back in your pocket, based on how real people actually spend?

My Evaluation Framework

Step 1: Calculate the real annual value

For every card, I run this calculation across standard spending categories:

Category Typical Monthly Spend Card's Rate Monthly Reward
Groceries $500 3% $15.00
Gas $200 4% $8.00
Dining $300 3% $9.00
Online Shopping $400 2% $8.00
Everything Else $1,500 1% $15.00
Monthly Total $55.00
Annual Total $660.00
Minus Annual Fee -$95.00
Net Annual Value $565.00

That net number is what matters. Not the marketing headline. Not the "up to 6% back!" claim. The actual dollars back in your pocket after fees.

Step 2: Compare as part of a stack

I don't just rank cards individually — I evaluate how they work TOGETHER. The best card for groceries might not be the best card for your wallet if it overlaps with a card you already have.

This is why I review "best 3-card stacks" and not just "best cards." Most people need 2-3 cards to cover all their spending categories at the best rates. My job is to find the combination that maximizes your total annual return.

Step 3: Factor in effort

A card that requires activating quarterly categories and tracking spending caps is worth less than a card that gives you the same return automatically. I weight simplicity. If two cards earn similar annual value but one requires zero management, that one ranks higher.

Step 4: The break-even test

Any card with an annual fee has to pass the break-even test: at what monthly spending level does the fee pay for itself? If the break-even point is unrealistic for a normal person, the card gets penalized.

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Tyler's Tip
Example: Amex Blue Cash Preferred ($95/year fee) breaks even vs. the no-fee Everyday card at about $165/month in grocery spending. Most households easily hit that, so the fee is justified. But the Amex Gold ($325/year) only breaks even on groceries alone at much higher spending — so it only makes sense if you also heavily use the dining credits and travel transfers.

My Current Card Stack

This is what I actually carry and use:

Card What I Use It For Why
BILT 2.0 + BILT Cash Rent ($2,500/mo) Only cards that earn points on rent with no fee
Costco Executive Groceries + Gas at Costco 2% Costco + 4% gas, plus Executive member reward
BILT Palladium Everything else Points on every purchase, no annual fee

Plus Rakuten running on every online purchase, stacking cashback on top of whatever card I use.

What I DON'T Factor In

  • Affiliate commission rates. I don't rank cards higher because they pay me more. If the best card for gas has no affiliate program, I'll still recommend it.
  • Sign-up bonuses as the primary value. Bonuses are nice but they're one-time. I rank based on ongoing annual value because that's what matters long-term.
  • Aspirational spending. I don't assume you'll spend $5,000/month on travel to justify a premium card. I use realistic spending numbers.

How Often I Update

Card terms change constantly — APRs shift, bonuses expire, new cards launch. I review every article at least monthly and immediately when I learn about a significant change. Every page shows a "Last updated" date so you know exactly how current the information is.

Questions about our methodology? See how we make money or learn more about ProofLabs.