Card Review Standards

Our mission is to help Indian consumers find financial products that actually work for them. We believe in math over marketing. Here is how we evaluate every credit card on this platform.

1. First-Principles Math

We don't trust "up to" reward rates. We calculate the Net Effective Reward Rate (NERR) based on real-world spending patterns. We factor in:

  • Category-specific caps (e.g., "5% cashback up to ₹500/month").
  • Merchant Category Code (MCC) exclusions (e.g., no rewards on rent, utilities, insurance).
  • Fuel surcharge waivers vs. GST impact.
  • Reward redemption fees and point devaluation risks.

2. Verified Data Sources

Our data comes directly from official issuer Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) documents and verified tariff sheets. We do not rely on third-party aggregator data without cross-verification. Every card page lists the Last Verified date to show you exactly how fresh our data is.

3. Brutal Honesty

If a card has a "lifetime free" offer that is actually conditional, we call it out. If a "premium" card has devalued its lounge access, we highlight it. We list "Watchouts" prominently on every review—fees, hidden caps, and poor service records are never buried.

4. User-Centric Scoring

Our "Top Picks" are not sold to the highest bidder. They are ranked algorithmically based on thevalue returned to the user minus fees. A card that pays us a high commission but offers you low value will never rank #1.

Read our Advertising Disclosure