Calculate credit card cash back rewards based on your spending. Compare category cards vs flat rate and maximize your rewards.
Monthly Cash Back
$55
2.50% effective rate
Annual Cash Back
$660
No annual fee
| Category | Monthly Spend | Rate | Monthly Cash Back | Annual Cash Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $600 | 3% | $18 | $216 |
| Gas | $200 | 3% | $6 | $72 |
| Dining | $300 | 4% | $12 | $144 |
| Travel | $200 | 5% | $10 | $120 |
| Online Shopping | $400 | 1% | $4 | $48 |
| Other | $500 | 1% | $5 | $60 |
| Total | $2,200 | 2.50% | $55 | $660 |
Category Card
$55/mo
2.50% effective
1.5% Flat Rate
$33/mo
1.5% on everything
Category card earns $22/month more ($264/year)
To calculate cash back rewards, multiply your spending in each category by the card cash back rate. For example, 500 groceries at 3% = 15 cash back. Use our calculator at practicalwebtools.com to compare multiple cards and maximize your rewards.
See how changing dining spending affects your total cash back rewards
3 insights based on your inputs
Your category card earns $264 more per year than a 1.5% flat rate card
Excellent! Your 2.50% effective rate beats most premium cards
You'll earn the $200 sign-up bonus with your current spending
Explore other tools that might help
Cash back is a rewards program where you earn a percentage of your purchases back as cash. For example, 2% cash back on $100 gives you $2 back. Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or checks. It's essentially a discount on everything you buy.
Flat rate cards (1.5-2%) are simpler and good for general spending. Category cards (3-6% on specific purchases) reward more if your spending aligns with bonus categories. Calculate your spending patterns - category cards can outperform if you maximize bonus categories.
Divide the annual fee by your rewards rate to find break-even spending. For a $95 fee with 2% cash back, you need $4,750/year in spending to break even. Factor in perks (travel credits, insurance) when evaluating. Many premium cards offer value beyond cash back.
Most major card issuers don't expire cash back rewards as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, some store cards or promotional offers may have expiration dates. Always check your card's terms.
Yes! Maximize savings by stacking: use cash back card + coupons + store sales + cash back portals (like Rakuten). Some cards offer rotating 5% categories. You can also use the right card for each purchase type to optimize category bonuses.
Monthly Cash Back
$55
2.50% effective rate
Annual Cash Back
$660
No annual fee