The formula
Net value formula
Estimated first-year net value = Signup bonus (CAD) + Earned rewards (CAD) − Annual fee (CAD, waived if First Year Free).
Spend assumptions
Earned rewards are computed against a typical Canadian household spend profile of ~$30,000/year split across groceries, dining, transit, gas, recurring bills and 'other'. We weight each card's category multipliers against that mix.
How we value points
- Aeroplan points: 1.4–1.7 cents per point on realistic Canadian short-haul redemptions.
- Amex Membership Rewards: 1.5–2.0 cents per point when transferred to Aeroplan points or used through the travel portal.
- Cashback: face value (1 cent per cent).
- Hotel points (Marriott Marriott Bonvoy points, etc.): 0.7–0.9 cents per point on standard award nights.
We do not use issuer-marketed valuations
Issuers often quote point values 30–50% higher than what most Canadians can realistically achieve. We calibrate to redemptions a typical user will actually make.
Rent and recurring-bill adjustments
When a card's best play involves routing rent through Chexy, Neobanc or Casa, we add a separate 'estimated rent rewards' line that accounts for the platform fee. The headline net value figure assumes a baseline spend profile only — rent rewards are additive.