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Credit Card Rewards Calculator — How Many Points Do You Earn?

Find out exactly how many points and miles your credit card earns you each year. Enter your spending by category and see your total rewards with estimated dollar values.

Select Your Cards
Monthly Spending ($)
Optimal Strategy

Use these cards for each category to maximize your earnings.

Dining

$500/mo

Amex Gold

4x · $480.00/yr

Travel

$200/mo

Amex Gold

3x · $144.00/yr

Groceries

$400/mo

Amex Gold

4x · $384.00/yr

Gas

$150/mo

Amex Gold

1x · $36.00/yr

Streaming

$50/mo

Chase Sapphire Preferred

3x · $30.60/yr

Everything Else

$1,000/mo

Amex Gold

1x · $240.00/yr

Card Rankings by Net Value

Total net annual value including credits and annual fee.

1

American Express Gold

64,800 MR points · $1,296.00 value · $325 AF

+$1,295.00/yr

2

Chase Sapphire Reserve

44,400 UR points · $888.00 value · $550 AF

+$698.00/yr

3

Chase Sapphire Preferred

43,200 UR points · $734.40 value · $95 AF

+$689.40/yr

Automate your rewards strategy

MileIntel tracks all your points balances, optimizes which card to use for every purchase, and alerts you to transfer bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my credit card rewards?

Multiply your spending in each category by the card's earning rate. For example, if you spend $500 on dining with a 3x card, you earn 1,500 points. Our calculator does this across all categories and shows your total annual earnings.

What is a good rewards rate on a credit card?

A flat 2% cash back or 2x points on all purchases is considered a strong base rate. Category-specific cards can earn 3x to 5x in areas like dining, travel, or groceries. The best strategy often combines a high-category card with a strong flat-rate card.

Are credit card points worth the same as cash?

Not always. Credit card points typically have a baseline value of 1 cent each, but can be worth 1.5 to 2+ cents when transferred to airline or hotel partners. Cash back is always worth face value. The redemption method you choose significantly affects your points' value.

Do bonus categories change throughout the year?

Some cards like the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it have rotating 5% categories that change quarterly and require activation. Other cards like the Amex Gold have fixed bonus categories year-round. Our calculator accounts for both types.

How many points do I need for a free flight?

Domestic economy flights typically cost 10,000 to 25,000 miles one-way, while international business class can range from 50,000 to 120,000 miles. Use our calculator to see how quickly your spending gets you to these thresholds.