💳 Rating system

Scoring: credit card comparison

This is how we rate credit cards. Each criterion has a transparent points breakdown.

Maximum score: 100
Magnifying glass over a credit card Magnifying glass over a credit card
Category Criterion Points breakdown Max. possible points
Costs Annual fee
  • • Permanently €0 = full points
  • • €0 in year 1, then < €50 = 13 points
  • • €0 with spending condition = 11 points
  • • < €50/year = 8 points
  • • < €100/year = 4 points
  • • ≥ €100/year = 0 points
16
Partner card / additional card
  • • Included free of charge = full points
  • • < €25/year = 2 points
  • • ≥ €25/year = 0 points
3
Cash withdrawals Cash in the eurozone
  • • Free everywhere = full points
  • • Free with limit = 6 points
  • • < 2% fee = 3 points
  • • ≥ 2% fee = 0 points
8
Cash worldwide (foreign currency)
  • • 0% fee = full points
  • • < 1.5% fee = 5 points
  • • < 2% fee = 3 points
  • • ≥ 2% fee = 0 points
7
Payments Foreign currency fee
  • • 0% = full points
  • • ≤ 1% = 7 points
  • • ≤ 1.75% = 4 points
  • • > 1.75% = 0 points
10
Contactless payment (NFC)
  • • Yes = 2 points
  • • No = 0 points
2
Apple Pay & Google Pay
  • • Both = full points
  • • Only one = 1 point
  • • None = 0 points
3
Rewards programme Cashback / points / miles
  • • ≥ 1% cashback equivalent = full points
  • • ≥ 0.5% = 6 points
  • • > 0% = 3 points
  • • No programme = 0 points
10
Welcome bonus
  • • ≥ €100 value = full points
  • • ≥ €50 value = 2 points
  • • < €50 or none = 0 points
4
Insurance Trip cancellation insurance
  • • Included without excess = full points
  • • Included with excess = 3 points
  • • Not included = 0 points
5
Travel health insurance
  • • Included = full points
  • • Not included = 0 points
5
Rental car insurance
  • • CDW/comprehensive cover included = 3 points
  • • Partial cover = 1 point
  • • Not included = 0 points
3
Purchase protection / extended warranty
  • • Both included = 2 points
  • • One of them = 1 point
  • • Not included = 0 points
2
Extras & benefits Lounge access (Priority Pass or similar)
  • • Unlimited, included = full points
  • • Limited visits = 3 points
  • • Not included = 0 points
5
Concierge service
  • • Available 24/7 = 2 points
  • • Restricted = 1 point
  • • Not available = 0 points
2
Shopping benefits
  • • Discounts with partners = 1 point
  • • None = 0 points
1
Card type & acceptance Card network
  • • Visa/Mastercard = full points
  • • American Express = 3 points
5
Card type
  • • Genuine credit card (revolving) = full points
  • • Charge card = 2 points
  • • Debit card = 1 point
3
Customer service 24/7 card blocking hotline
  • • Yes, free = 2 points
  • • Yes, for a fee = 1 point
  • • No = 0 points
2
App for card management
  • • Well rated (≥ 4 stars) = 2 points
  • • Available (< 4 stars) = 1 point
  • • No app = 0 points
2
Payment in instalments possible
  • • Yes, flexible = 2 points
  • • Yes, restricted = 1 point
  • • No = 0 points
2
Total points: 100

As of January 2026 | Last update of the rating criteria