Free calculator · as of 2026-11-01
Credit card bonus vs spend calculator
A card bonus is worth chasing if your normal spending reaches the minimum within the window without buying things you don't need. You keep the bonus minus the first-year fee. Presets come from the 13 card offers CashWars verified as of Nov 1, 2026.
Kept in year one
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- Monthly spend needed
- Your spend over the window
- Shortfall
Estimates only, for illustration. Not financial advice. The math runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent to CashWars.
Presets: credit card bonuses, checked Nov 1, 2026. Bonus values are each issuer's stated value.
FAQ
Should I spend more to hit the bonus?
Generally no. Only chase a bonus with spending you would do anyway, and pay the balance in full so interest never eats the bonus.
Does applying affect my credit?
Card applications are usually a hard credit pull.