Card vs card calculator
Which of these two cards pays you more?
Pick two cards and enter what you spend each month. See what each one pays in a year after its annual fee, and in the first year with its welcome bonus.
What you spend each month
Total: $2,250 a month, $27,000 a year.
Used for points and miles cards only. Cash back is worth face value. See our observed points values.
Result
American Express Blue Cash Preferred pays about $85 more each year after fees.
In the first year, counting welcome bonuses, American Express Blue Cash Preferred is ahead by $85.
Cash back
American Express Blue Cash Everyday
- Rewards per year
- $426
- Annual fee
- $0
- Each year after the fee
- $426
- Welcome bonus (one time)
- None listed
- First year
- $426
How the rewards were counted
- Groceries: $7,200 a year at 3% (cap reached, base rate above it)$192
- Restaurants and takeout: $3,600 a year at 1%$36
- Gas: $1,800 a year at 3%$54
- Flights and hotels: $2,400 a year at 1%$24
- Everything else: $12,000 a year at 1%$120
Terms last checked 2026-11-01.
Cash back
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Pays more each year at your spending
- Rewards per year
- $606
- Annual fee
- -$95
- Each year after the fee
- $511
- Welcome bonus (one time)
- None listed
- First year
- $511
How the rewards were counted
- Groceries: $7,200 a year at 6% (cap reached, base rate above it)$372
- Restaurants and takeout: $3,600 a year at 1%$36
- Gas: $1,800 a year at 3%$54
- Flights and hotels: $2,400 a year at 1%$24
- Everything else: $12,000 a year at 1%$120
Terms last checked 2026-10-31.
Earn rates, fees and bonuses come from SwitchWize's published card data and can change. Spending a card gives no bonus for is counted at its base rate. Rates that only apply through the issuer's travel site are listed, not counted. Credits and perks count only if you enter them. Not counted: foreign transaction fees, interest if you carry a balance, and approval odds. Check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Why compare on your own spending
Two cards can look close on paper and pay very different amounts to you. A card with 4x on restaurants only helps if you eat out. A flat 2% card pays the same on everything. The fee and the credits you really use decide the rest.
Not sure which type of card fits you? Try the cash back vs points vs miles calculator or read the guide by situation.
Common questions
How does the card vs card calculator work?
It takes your monthly spending in five categories, applies each card’s published earn rates and spending caps, subtracts the annual fee and adds any credits you say you will use. It shows the yearly value of each card and the first-year value with the welcome bonus.
How are points and miles valued?
At the cents per point you enter. Cash back is worth its face value. Our observed points values are on the valuations page if you want a starting point.
Why are some bonus rates listed but not counted?
Each card earns its base rate on any spending it has no bonus for. Rates that apply only when you book through the issuer’s travel site, and rotating quarterly categories, are listed under the card but not counted, because they depend on how you book.
Does this include travel credits and perks?
Only what you enter. A credit is worth what you would have spent anyway, and nothing if you do not use it.
Can I hold both cards?
Often yes. Many people use one card for its bonus categories and another for everything else. The cash back vs points vs miles calculator and our pairing guide show how to split spending.