Verified Data is the Source of Truth
Unlike generic blogs or AI chatbots that search the web in real-time and hallucinate details, SimplifyCards processes decisions through a manually-curated dataset of over 200 Indian credit cards (stored locally under data/cards/).
Every card fee, reward multiplier, monthly cap, category exclusion, lounge spend requirement, and milestone tier in our database is verified by hand. Our AI is only used to format and phrase answers—never to invent card facts, terms, or rates.
How Fit is Calculated
When you compare cards or use the spend recommender, our engine calculates a Fit Score based on two core factors:
- Net Annual Value (NAV): We calculate the actual monetary value you would receive in a year in rupees:Net Value = (Annual Reward Points Value + Milestone Benefits) - (Annual Fees)This calculation includes joining benefits, factors in renewal fee waivers (if your spend exceeds the waiver threshold), and applies correct redemption rates for cash, statement credit, or travel points.
- Relevance Weight: We parse your search query or spend profile to detect specific preferences (e.g., a specific bank, lounge access, or network). We then apply a boost to cards matching those criteria.
Tailored Scoring Strategies
Our recommendation engine (scoreCards) does not use a one-size-fits-all formula. It analyzes the intent behind your query and routes it to specialized ranking modes:
Category Focus
When you search for cards for specific categories (e.g., dining, grocery, utilities, or online shopping), we evaluate cards at realistic monthly spends for that specific category. The specialists win based on their category reward rates, capping rules, and merchant coverage.
Segment & Fee Bands
Cards are grouped into clear tiers based on annual fees: beginner/lifetime-free, mid-premium, premium, and super-premium. We score them using representative monthly spends matching those fee levels, ensuring we don't compare beginner cards directly to super-premium cards.
UPI & RuPay
For UPI transaction queries, we filter for RuPay credit cards and analyze base vs. accelerated reward economics (including paid membership options) to surface the best card for scan-and-pay spending.
Forex & International Travel
For travel queries involving international spend, we weigh rewards against the card's real foreign currency markup fee. A high-reward card with a high markup may rank lower than a low-fee, low-markup card.
Lounge Access
We parse domestic and international lounge benefits, including complex spend-conditioned rules (e.g., spend ₹35,000 in the previous quarter to unlock access) and guest visit allowances, so you know exactly what is required to access a lounge.
Fuel Cards
We filter specifically for fuel co-branded cards, matching fuel surcharge waivers and accelerated rewards against typical monthly fuel spends.