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Our Methodology

How we find mathematically optimal card setups

OptimalCardSetup is a math-first credit card portfolio optimizer. Rather than relying on editorial opinion or generic "best of" lists, we use a constraint programming solver to evaluate every valid combination of cards against your actual spending and return the provably optimal result.

1. How the Optimizer Works

At the core of OptimalCardSetup is Google's OR-Tools CP-SAT constraint solver — the same family of solvers used in logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation at scale.

When you enter your monthly spending across categories (dining, groceries, travel, gas, etc.), the solver:

  • Models every valid card combination — including which card should be used for each spending category
  • Handles complex card rules — bonus category caps, tiered earning rates, spend thresholds, quarterly category selections, and transfer partner valuations
  • Accounts for credits and fees — annual fees are subtracted, card credits (airline, dining, streaming, etc.) are added based on how usable they are for you
  • Returns a provably optimal result — this is not a heuristic or approximation. The solver explores the full solution space and guarantees the result maximizes your net annual reward value

2. What We Optimize For

The objective function maximizes net annual reward value:

Net Value = Total Rewards Earned + Usable Credits − Annual Fees

Rewards are valued using cents-per-point (CPP) rates based on realistic redemption values — not inflated "best case" transfer valuations. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at their transfer partner rate when the user has a card that enables transfers, and at the lower cash back rate otherwise.

3. Independence of Results

Affiliate compensation never influences optimization results. This is not a policy — it is an architectural fact:

  • The solver's objective function contains no commission data. It only sees earn rates, fees, credits, and spending amounts.
  • Affiliate link data is stored separately from card reward rules and is not loaded by the solver at any point.
  • Free-tier and Premium users run the exact same optimization algorithm with the same card data.
  • Cards without affiliate partnerships appear in results alongside cards that do have partnerships — the solver treats them identically.

For full details on how we handle affiliate relationships, see our Affiliate Disclosure.

4. Card Data Sources

Card terms (earn rates, annual fees, credits, category caps, and special rules) are sourced from issuer websites and official card agreements. We review and update card data regularly to reflect current terms. If a card's terms change, the updated data is reflected in the optimizer within our next update cycle.

We currently support 50+ consumer and business credit cards across major issuers including American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and others.

5. Limitations

While our optimizer is mathematically rigorous, there are factors it does not account for:

  • Sign-up bonuses (one-time value, not recurring annual value)
  • Credit score impact of opening new accounts
  • Issuer approval likelihood for specific applicants
  • Subjective preferences (brand loyalty, card design, lounge access quality)
  • Rotating quarterly bonus categories that cannot be predicted in advance

Results represent the mathematically optimal ongoing annual value based on the spending profile you provide. Your actual value may vary based on spending fluctuations and redemption choices.

6. Contact

Questions about our methodology? Reach us at support@optimalcardsetup.com.