CardCurator Methodology
Every number on CardCurator — earn rates, points valuations, sweet spots, transfer bonus history — is derived from primary sources using documented, reproducible methods. This page explains exactly how.
Earn Rate Calculation
How we match merchants to categories
Every merchant in our database is tagged with a standard category (e.g., "Grocery Stores", "Restaurants", "Gas Stations"). When you look up a merchant, we match that category against each credit card's reward category definitions using a hierarchy-aware system — so a card that earns 4x on "Dining" correctly applies to sub-categories like "Fast Food", "Cafes", and "Food Delivery Apps".
Effective return rate
Earn rates (e.g., 4x points) are converted to an effective return rate in dollars by multiplying the earn rate by the program's baseline points valuation. A card earning 4x Amex Membership Rewards (valued at ~2.0¢/pt) has an effective return rate of ~8% on that category. This lets us compare cards across different reward currencies on an apples-to-apples basis.
Update frequency
Earn rates are updated within 24 hours of issuer announcements. We monitor issuer press releases, Terms & Conditions changes, and user-submitted corrections. Earn rate history is preserved so past data is never silently overwritten.
Points Valuations
Three-tier valuation model
We publish three valuations per program: a floor value (minimum acceptable — cash-equivalent redemptions like gift cards), a baseline value (realistic average for a reasonably optimized redemption), and a ceiling value (best achievable at sweet spots like long-haul business class). Most comparison tools publish a single number; we publish three to reflect the range of what's actually achievable.
Data sources
Valuations are benchmarked against industry sources (The Points Guy, NerdWallet, Doctor of Credit) and cross-validated against our own award chart CPP analysis. When our sweet spot analysis shows consistent higher values than the published ceiling, we update accordingly. Values are reviewed quarterly and after any major program devaluation.
Why valuations differ from other sites
We use conservative assumptions. Our baseline assumes you can find business class award space and know how to transfer points — but doesn't assume you'll always find the best possible redemption. We do not inflate valuations to make our earn rate comparisons look better.
Sweet Spot Identification
What qualifies as a sweet spot
A sweet spot is any award redemption where the estimated cents-per-point value materially exceeds the program's baseline valuation. We compute CPP for every award on every active redemption chart using conservative cash price benchmarks by route type and cabin class (e.g., $7,000 for long-haul business, $18,000 for long-haul first class). Awards with CPP ≥ 1.5× the baseline are flagged as sweet spots.
Cash price benchmarks
Our benchmarks are deliberately conservative — they reflect what a flexible traveler would realistically pay in cash, not peak seasonal prices. This means our CPP estimates are defensible: if the math works at conservative cash prices, the sweet spot is genuinely good, not dependent on a $12,000 outlier fare.
Limitations
CPP estimates assume award availability, which varies by route and date. A sweet spot in the award chart is only valuable if you can find seats. We note programs that historically have good partner inventory, but actual availability must be verified through the program's booking tools.
Transfer Bonus Tracking
How we track bonuses
Transfer bonuses are logged the day they are announced, with start date, end date (if known), bonus percentage, and any tier structures. We monitor issuer email lists, points community forums, and partner airline announcements. Bonuses are marked archived when they expire or are officially withdrawn.
Seasonal pattern analysis
For programs with 3+ historical bonuses to a given partner, we compute peak months and annual frequency using all tracked historical data. These patterns are displayed as informational context — not predictions. Transfer bonus timing is discretionary for issuers and can change.
Card Comparison Methodology
What we compare
Side-by-side comparisons evaluate four dimensions: annual fee (lower wins), signup bonus value (higher wins), top earn rate across all categories (higher wins), and total annual credits (higher wins). Each dimension counts as one point; the card with more wins is flagged as the overall winner. For close matches (2-2 ties), we surface the distinction as "depends on your spending pattern."
Bonus valuation
Signup bonus values are estimated using the card's program valuation where available, or face value for statement credits. We use the current, publicly available bonus — not targeted or elevated offers. If no current bonus exists, we note that rather than using an expired figure.
What we do not compare
We do not attempt to compare subjective perks like lounge quality, customer service, or card prestige. We compare quantifiable data only and note qualitative differences in the context section of each comparison.
Data Sources & Freshness
Primary sources
All card data originates from issuer Terms & Conditions, official program websites, and press releases. We do not use scraped data from aggregator sites. When issuer terms are ambiguous (common for category definitions like "supermarkets" vs. "grocery stores"), we document the ambiguity and err on the side of the more conservative interpretation.
Update cadence
Card details: within 24 hours of issuer announcements. Award charts: within 24 hours of program updates. Transfer bonuses: same day. Points valuations: quarterly (or immediately after major devaluations). Merchant categorizations: continuously as new merchant data is processed.
Error corrections
If you spot an error — wrong earn rate, outdated award chart, incorrect category — please use the feedback link on any card or program page. Verified corrections are applied within 24 hours and the previous data is preserved in audit history.
Our Commitment
CardCurator is built for cardholders, not issuers. We do not accept payments to rank cards higher, do not inflate earn rates to make affiliate partners look better, and do not publish aspirational valuations that require booking the last first-class seat on a nonstop transatlantic flight in peak season.
Award charts and earn rates updated within 24 hours of changes. No stale data.
All data comes directly from issuer Terms & Conditions and program sites — not scraped aggregators.
When assumptions are required (CPP benchmarks, category definitions), we use the more conservative number.