How we make money

Right now, CardSmart earns nothing. There are no affiliate links, ads or paid placements in the app or on this site.

We want CardSmart to be a lasting business, so here is how that may change — and the rules we’ll hold ourselves to when it does.

What may come later

• Partner links. When you use a credit — say, a shopping or dining credit — we may link to the merchant and earn a commission if you buy. It doesn’t change your price or the credit you get.
• A paid tier. Extra features such as household sharing. Reminders before your credits reset stay free.
• Card recommendations. If we ever suggest a card, it will be because of how you actually use your cards — and we may be paid if you apply.

Our rules

• Every paid link is labeled next to the link itself, not only in a footer.
• We never rank advice by how much it pays us without telling you.
• If a card isn’t earning its fee for you, we’ll say so — including suggesting a downgrade or cancellation that earns us nothing.
• Opinions are our own and haven’t been reviewed or approved by any card issuer.

We’ll update this page before any of the above goes live.