About PointsMaxxed
Transparent, data-driven credit card rankings ranked purely by first-year monetary ROI.
⚠️ Not financial advice. Rankings are estimates based on assumed spending patterns. Your actual ROI will vary. We may earn commissions from affiliate links. Always verify card terms with the issuer before applying.
Our Mission
We believe consumers deserve clear, transparent data when choosing a rewards credit card. Not all cards are created equal — first-year ROI can vary from under $200 to over $2,000 depending on welcome bonuses, point values, and how well you use annual credits.
PointsMaxxed ranks cards purely by estimated first-year monetary ROI: welcome bonus value + annual point earnings (on $2,000/month spend) + annual credits − annual fee. We use transfer partner redemption values, not the lower statement credit rates.
Affiliate relationships never influence our rankings — cards are ranked purely by calculated ROI. If we have an affiliate link for a card, it's because the card already earned its place in the rankings.
Our Methodology
ROI Formula
First-Year ROI = Welcome Bonus Value + Annual Earn (on $2K/mo) + Annual Credits − Annual Fee. We model each card's actual earning categories against a typical monthly spend profile.
Point Valuations
Chase UR & Amex MR: ~2.0¢/pt (transfer partners). Capital One miles: ~1.7¢/mi. Citi ThankYou: ~1.5¢/pt. Cash back: 1.0¢. Values based on typical transfer partner sweet spots.
Credit Value
Annual credits (airline, hotel, dining, etc.) are counted at face value only if they're realistically usable by a typical cardholder. Niche credits with low utility are discounted.
Regular Updates
Card offers change. We update rankings when welcome bonuses change, annual fees are revised, or new benefits are added. Always check the current offer before applying.
Why Points Maximizing Matters
The average American spends roughly $24,000/year on credit cards. With the right card strategy, you can realistically earn $1,000–$2,000+ in first-year value — just from a welcome bonus and smart category earning. Over 5 years, optimized card usage can generate $5,000–$15,000+ in travel value.
Free Travel
75,000 Chase points = 5+ nights at a Hyatt or round-trip business class
Offset Fees
$695 Amex Platinum fee → $875+ in credits = net positive for frequent travelers
Hotel Stays
Hyatt transfer partners unlock rates as low as 3,500 points/night for $200+ hotels
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you apply for a card through these links, we may earn a commission from the card issuer at no extra cost to you. This helps support our research and keeps the site running. Affiliate relationships never influence our rankings — cards are ranked purely by their calculated first-year ROI. We do not accept paid placements or sponsored rankings.
Questions or Suggestions?
Know of a high-ROI card we're missing? Have updated data to share? We'd love to hear from you.
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