Methodology

How StaxxRewards builds a card stack

Your quiz answers help select from three featured card stacks: Everyday Cashback, Travel Rewards, and Premium Lifestyle. These are starting points for comparing how different cards can work together. We do not compare every card or every possible combination, and different visitors may receive the same stack.

StaxxRewards turns three simple answers into an illustrative card stack. We look at what a visitor wants from rewards, how much card management feels realistic and how their monthly card spending is distributed across six broad categories.

We then compare those answers with a maintained set of card information, assign each card a clear role and estimate the ongoing rewards value. The result can include up to three cards, and every included card should add a distinct, useful role.

The result is educational. It is not a guarantee, an approval prediction, individualized financial advice or a review of every credit card in the market. Issuers determine eligibility, approval, pricing, credit limits and final account terms.

The information used

The current quiz uses:

  • the visitor’s main rewards goal: cash back, travel rewards or premium benefits;

  • the amount of card management they realistically want;

  • estimated monthly spending on groceries;

  • estimated monthly spending on dining;

  • estimated monthly spending on travel;

  • estimated monthly spending on gas;

  • estimated monthly spending on online shopping; and

  • estimated monthly spending on everything else.

A rough monthly estimate is enough to begin. For spending that changes throughout the year, such as travel, the visitor can divide a normal annual amount by 12.

StaxxRewards does not request a Social Security number, bank login, full card number, account password or credit report through the quiz. Taking the quiz does not affect a credit score.

How monthly spending becomes an annual estimate

Each monthly category amount is multiplied by 12:

Annual category spending = monthly category spending × 12

Each category is assigned once. The same dollar should not be counted in two reward categories or assigned to two cards at the same time.

When a published reward has a spending cap, the estimate separates the amount inside the cap from the amount above it. The applicable base rate is used after the cap when the card terms provide one.

For a cash-back rate, the basic estimate is:

Estimated cash back = eligible spending × cash-back rate

For points or miles, the reward units are first calculated from eligible spending. A stated valuation is then used to create an estimated dollar value:

Estimated dollar value = reward units × valuation in cents ÷ 100

The result should always state the valuation used. Point values can vary depending on the redemption, so a valuation is an assumption rather than a guaranteed cash result.

Categories and merchant classification

A purchase earns according to the issuer’s rules and the way the transaction is submitted. A product that feels like groceries, dining or travel may not receive that category rate when the merchant is classified differently.

Third-party payment services, marketplaces, mobile readers and digital wallets may also affect how a transaction is recognized. StaxxRewards uses the published category definitions, but actual rewards can differ when merchant data or transaction processing differs.

Fees, credits and ongoing value

Where the current result provides a detailed breakdown, it can separate four ideas:

  • Gross rewards: the estimated ongoing rewards before fees.

  • Annual fees: published annual card fees included in the stack.

  • Confirmed credits: statement credits included only when the result specifically states that they were counted.

  • Estimated net ongoing value: gross rewards minus included annual fees, plus confirmed usable credits.

The main estimate should not treat the full face value of every advertised credit as automatic savings. A credit is useful only when it replaces spending the visitor would otherwise make and when the published restrictions can be met.

Welcome offers

Welcome offers are excluded from the main ongoing estimate. They are temporary, may require additional spending and can make the first year look very different from later years.

If a welcome offer is shown elsewhere on StaxxRewards, it should be separated from ongoing value and display its spending requirement, time window, eligibility caveat, official source and last-reviewed date.

How cards receive roles

Every card in a result needs a clear job. The current experience may use roles such as:

  • Primary / goal card: supports the visitor’s main rewards goal and important categories.

  • Dining and grocery card: earns more on eligible food spending when the added value justifies another card.

  • Everything-else card: covers eligible purchases that do not fall into a stronger bonus category.

These roles are explanations, not a requirement to use all three. Every included card should earn its place through useful ongoing value and a role that is easy to understand.

What the estimate includes

The estimate may include:

  • annual spending derived from the amounts entered;

  • published ongoing earning rates;

  • relevant category caps and base rates;

  • the stated valuation for points or miles;

  • annual fees shown in the result; and

  • statement credits specifically identified as included.

What the estimate does not include

Unless a result clearly says otherwise, the ongoing estimate excludes:

  • interest charges and late fees;

  • balance-transfer, cash-advance and other account fees;

  • welcome offers and targeted offers;

  • purchases that do not qualify under the issuer’s terms;

  • returns, refunds and statement adjustments;

  • changes in merchant classification;

  • taxes and cash-equivalent transactions;

  • point transfers or unusually favorable redemptions above the stated valuation;

  • issuer approval odds or expected credit limits;

  • benefits that do not have a supportable dollar value; and

  • cards outside the information reviewed by StaxxRewards.

How product information is reviewed

We prefer sources in this order:

  • the issuer’s current public product page;

  • the issuer’s current rates, fees, rewards and benefit terms;

  • government or regulatory guidance;

  • official technical standards; and

  • reliable secondary material only when a primary source does not answer the question.

Each active product record should contain an official source URL and the date it was reviewed. When a material term changes or cannot be verified, the product information should be updated or removed from active use until the review is complete.

Compensation and the calculation

StaxxRewards may receive compensation from certain links. Compensation may affect which offers are available or where they appear, but it should not change the reward math or make an unsuitable card a better fit.

Read How We Make Money and the Affiliate Disclosure.

Credit and responsible use

Taking the StaxxRewards quiz does not request a credit report and does not affect a credit score. Applying for a credit card commonly allows the issuer to make a hard inquiry, which may affect a credit score.

Interest and fees can cost more than rewards are worth. A rewards stack works best when spending stays inside the budget and the statement can be paid in full and on time.

Questions or corrections

If you believe a term, formula or result is incorrect, email info@staxxrewards.com. Include the page URL, the statement or result involved and an official source when available.

Do not send account credentials, full card numbers, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information.