What "best" means depends on how you spend

The Points Guy publishes card recommendations based on specific spending patterns and travel goals, not a single universal ranking. A card that earns 5 points per dollar on groceries is worthless if you rarely buy groceries. A card with a $550 annual fee makes sense only if you'll use its benefits enough to offset that cost. Before you read any review, know what you actually spend on each month.

The Points Guy's methodology focuses on earning potential and redemption value. Their writers calculate how much a card's rewards are worth in real dollars, factor in annual fees and sign-up bonuses, and compare the total benefit against cards in the same category. This means their top pick for one person might not be the top pick for another.

Key Takeaways

  • The Points Guy ranks cards by spending category—travel, dining, groceries, cash back—so find the category that matches your actual monthly expenses.
  • A card's value depends on whether you'll use its bonus categories and benefits enough to justify any annual fee it charges.
  • Sign-up bonuses are usually worth more than the card's ongoing rewards, so compare the total value over the first year, not just the ongoing rate.
  • The Points Guy values points at a specific redemption rate, which may differ from how you plan to use them.
  • Annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and redemption restrictions all affect whether a card is actually the best choice for your situation.

How The Points Guy evaluates and ranks cards

The Points Guy assigns a dollar value to each point or mile a card earns, based on what those rewards typically sell for or how much travel they purchase. For example, if a card earns 2 points per dollar on dining and The Points Guy values those points at 1.5 cents each, then you're earning 3 cents per dollar spent. They then subtract the annual fee and divide by the amount you'd need to spend to break even.

This approach works well for comparing cards in the same category—two cash-back cards, or two airline cards. It breaks down when comparing across categories, because the value of a point varies wildly depending on how you redeem it. A point might be worth 1 cent if you cash it out, but 2 cents if you use it for a specific airline seat. The Points Guy's valuations are educated guesses, not guarantees of what your points will be worth.

Their reviews also weigh benefits beyond the earning rate: airport lounge access, travel credits, purchase protection, extended warranties, and concierge services. A card with a lower earning rate but a $200 annual travel credit might deliver more value than a card with a higher earning rate and no benefits.

Finding cards by spending category

The Points Guy organizes recommendations by how you spend: travel cards, dining cards, grocery cards, gas cards, and general cash-back cards. Start by identifying which category matches your largest monthly expense. If you spend $800 a month on groceries but only $200 on dining, a grocery card will deliver more value than a dining card, even if the dining card has a higher earning rate.

Travel cards typically earn bonus points on flights, hotels, and rental cars, plus benefits like free checked bags or hotel upgrades. These cards almost always charge an annual fee, usually $95 to $550. The card only makes sense if you travel at least once or twice a year and will use the perks. If you fly once every three years, the annual fee will cost more than the benefits are worth.

Dining and grocery cards earn 3 to 5 points per dollar in their bonus category, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $150. These cards work best if you spend at least $3,000 to $5,000 per year in the bonus category. Below that threshold, a flat-rate cash-back card usually delivers more value.

General cash-back cards earn 1.5 to 2 percent on all purchases with no annual fee. These are the baseline for comparison. If a category-specific card doesn't earn enough in its bonus category to offset its annual fee, the general cash-back card is the better choice.

Understanding sign-up bonuses and how they affect the math

A sign-up bonus—typically 50,000 to 100,000 points or miles—is usually worth more than a year of ongoing rewards. The Points Guy factors this into their rankings by calculating the total value you'd earn in the first year, including the bonus, then comparing that to other cards. A card with a $95 annual fee and a 75,000-point sign-up bonus might deliver more value in year one than a card with no annual fee and a smaller bonus.

The catch is that you have to meet a minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus, usually $3,000 to $5,000 within three months. If you can't spend that much naturally, the bonus isn't worth pursuing. Manufactured spending—buying things you don't need just to hit the threshold—erases the bonus's value.

Sign-up bonuses also reset. You can't earn the same bonus twice on the same card, though some issuers allow you to earn it again after a waiting period (usually 24 months). The Points Guy's rankings assume you're a new cardholder, so if you've held the card before, the value calculation changes.

What The Points Guy's valuations don't account for

The Points Guy assigns a fixed value to points—say, 1.5 cents each—but your actual redemption value may be higher or lower. If you redeem points for a specific premium cabin seat on a premium airline, they might be worth 3 cents each. If you cash them out at a partner site, they might be worth 0.8 cents. The Points Guy's valuation is a middle estimate, not a promise.

Their rankings also don't account for your credit score, income, or approval odds. Some cards are harder to get approved for than others, and some issuers have rules about how many cards you can hold or how recently you've opened accounts. The Points Guy assumes you'll be approved; if you're not, the ranking doesn't matter.

Annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and redemption restrictions also vary by card and change over time. The Points Guy's reviews are updated regularly, but they may not reflect the most recent fee changes. Always check the issuer's website for current terms before you open an account.

Comparing The Points Guy's picks to other sources

The Points Guy is one of several sites that rank credit cards. NerdWallet, Credit Karma, and Bankrate also publish card reviews and comparisons. These sites sometimes disagree on which card is "best" because they use different valuation methods, weight benefits differently, or target different audiences. A card that The Points Guy ranks highly might rank lower on NerdWallet if NerdWallet values cash back more than points.

Read reviews from multiple sources before deciding. Look for cards that appear on multiple "best of" lists, because that suggests broad agreement on their value. Also read the negative reviews and the comments section—real cardholders often point out benefits or drawbacks that reviewers miss.

The Points Guy's audience skews toward frequent travelers and people who actively manage rewards. If you're looking for a straightforward, no-annual-fee card that you'll set and forget, their recommendations may be overkill. A general cash-back card from NerdWallet or Credit Karma might be a better fit.

How to use The Points Guy's reviews to narrow your choices

Start with the category that matches your spending. Read the top three to five cards in that category. For each card, note the annual fee, the sign-up bonus, the ongoing earning rate in the bonus category, and any major benefits. Then calculate the total value you'd earn in the first year if you met the spending requirement.

Next, check whether you'd actually use the card's benefits. If a travel card offers a $200 airline credit but you fly once a year on a budget carrier that doesn't participate, that benefit is worthless to you. If a dining card offers 4 points per dollar at restaurants but you eat out twice a month, the earning rate matters less than the annual fee.

Finally, compare the card to one general cash-back card as a baseline. If the category-specific card doesn't earn significantly more value than the cash-back card, the cash-back card is the safer choice. You avoid the annual fee and the complexity of managing multiple bonus categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Points Guy get paid by credit card companies?

The Points Guy discloses affiliate relationships with card issuers and earns a commission when readers open accounts through their links. This creates a potential conflict of interest, but the site is transparent about it. Read their methodology and compare their picks to other sources to form your own judgment about whether the recommendations are biased.

How often does The Points Guy update their card rankings?

The Points Guy updates individual card reviews regularly, but the timing varies. Some cards are reviewed monthly, others quarterly. Check the publication date on any review before you read it, and verify current terms on the issuer's website before you open an account.

What if I don't travel much but The Points Guy recommends a travel card?

Travel cards are built for frequent travelers. If you fly once a year or less, a general cash-back card or a dining card will deliver more value. The Points Guy publishes recommendations for non-travelers too—look for their cash-back and dining guides instead.

Can I earn The Points Guy's sign-up bonus if I've held the card before?

Most issuers have rules about how long you must wait before you can earn a bonus again on the same card, usually 24 months. Some issuers never allow you to earn the bonus twice. Check the card's terms or call the issuer's customer service line to confirm whether you're may be able to access.

Is it worth opening multiple cards to earn multiple bonuses?

Opening multiple cards in a short time can lower your credit score and may trigger fraud alerts. If you do open multiple cards, space them out by at least a few months and make sure you can meet each card's spending requirement without manufactured spending. The Points Guy publishes guides on this topic if you want to explore it further.