Guide
Sign-up bonus vs ongoing rewards: what matters more? (2026)
Sign-up bonuses are a one-time spike; category routing pays every year for the life of the card. A $200 bonus is worth chasing once — but routing $500/year in missed category bonuses compounds annually.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| New card with SUB | Year 1 spike | One-time | Varies |
| Existing category card | Year 2+ earn | 3–6% ongoing | Varies |
| Pikt | Ongoing optimization | Every purchase | Free tier |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Churners optimize sign-up bonuses but swipe the newest card everywhere — ignoring better earn on older cards.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Pikt Checkout names your best card before you click pay. You still pay with your own card. Coming next: Pikt Nearby will name your best card on your lock screen when you're ready to pay in stores. Pikt routes to the best earner regardless of which card is newest in your wallet.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I chase sign-up bonuses?
- If you can meet spend requirements without carrying a balance, yes — but optimize routing on all cards, not just the latest.
$426 at Delta Airlines → Bilt Mastercard earns $18.74 (+$14.48 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Tell us what you spend on, how you redeem, and which cards you carry — we'll name the best one you already hold for each area.
Where does your money go?
Pick your top spending areas and we'll show which of your cards earns most for each.
How do you want to use rewards?
No account needed · Free · Takes about 30 seconds
No account required · Free · Nothing is saved