How PointsBrain computes

Every recommendation comes from a deterministic engine — plain math over verified facts, not an AI guessing. The same engine code runs everywhere the answer appears.

The fact catalog

Earn rates, annual fees, category caps, and point valuations live in a versioned fact catalog. Each entry records its source and the date it was last verified. A number that isn't in the catalog does not appear on this site. The current calculator uses a catalog of 18 issuer-verified cards; entries are re-verified against issuer pages before anything ships publicly, and card terms can change at any time.

Point valuations: two tables, one used for math

The catalog keeps dual valuations per currency. The floor (1.25¢ for transferable bank points, 1¢ for cashback by definition) is what a careful redeemer can reliably achieve, and it is the only value the engine computes with. The aspirational value (currently 1.85–2.2¢ for transferable currencies, per The Points Guy's monthly valuations) assumes near-optimal premium redemptions; we show it for context on the valuations page but never use it in a dollar figure. This means our estimates are deliberately understated: if we say you're leaving $300 on the table, the true figure is likely higher.

What the calculator does (and doesn't)

• It compares your single-card habit against the best card you already hold per category, with category caps applied and overflow earning at each card's base rate.
• "Travel" means flights and hotels booked directly with the airline or hotel. Issuer travel-portal rates (Chase Travel, Amex Travel, Citi Travel, Capital One Travel) are not yet modeled — they only apply when booking through those portals. Rotating 5% categories are modeled for the current quarter and require activation. Adaptive top-category earning (Citi Custom Cash's 5% on your top eligible category each billing cycle) is not yet modeled either — the calculator values that card at its 1% base rate, which understates it for many holders.
• It does not yet include card-linked offers, shopping portals, rotating-category enrollment, welcome bonuses, annual-fee math, or transfer sweet spots — the full product's job. Those generally increase the gap, not shrink it.
• It never recommends spending more to earn more.

Automation, honestly

This site is operated with substantial automation under fixed rules: verified facts only, conservative valuations, corrections first, and no affiliate influence on recommendations — ever. Errors: tell us and we fix them before anything else.