How valuations work
CreditCombo converts points into an estimated cash-equivalent value so cards from different rewards programs can be compared on the same scale. Each program gets two values: an estimated value and a minimum guaranteed value.
Where valuation inputs come from
- Published valuations and reward strategy benchmarks from Canadian points communities, including Prince of Travel, used as a starting point for many estimated values.
- Issuer and rewards-program documentation (terms, transfer ratios, and redemption charts) used to sanity-check or adjust those estimates.
- Publicly listed fallback redemption options (like statement credits, gift cards, or fixed-value travel portals) used to set conservative floors.
These are intended to be practical directional estimates, not promises for every redemption scenario.
Estimated value vs. minimum guaranteed value
- Estimated value: a realistic midpoint for users who redeem strategically (for example, transferring to partners or using high-value travel redemptions where available).
- Minimum guaranteed value: a conservative floor based on redemption paths that are broadly and reliably available (such as straightforward cash-back-like options).
Use estimated value if you actively optimize redemptions. Use minimum guaranteed value if you want a safer, lower-bound comparison.
Rules scope used by CreditCombo
- Two valuation modes are modeled: estimated points value and minimum guaranteed redemption value.
- Category spend is assigned to the best card, cap overflow is rerouted to the next-best card, and residual overflow can earn at the above-cap rate.
- Annual fees are subtracted from gross rewards to report net annual value.
Not yet modeled: merchant- or portal-specific special_earn_rules. Also not modeled: MCC quirks and acceptance constraints, and one-time promotions or welcome bonuses.