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Reward Value vs Annual Fee Calculator

Estimate the rupee value of a year's cashback or reward points on your spending and compare it with the card's annual fee including 18% GST.

INR
%
INR
Reward value earned in a year
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Spend minus rewards minus fee (what this spending costs you)
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Illustrative estimate only — not an offer or quote.

This calculator answers one question: how many rupees does the card give back in a year on the spending you actually do? Compare the result with the annual fee including 18% GST. If the reward value is lower than the fee, a lifetime-free card or a card with a reachable fee waiver may suit you better.

How to use it. Enter only the spend that earns rewards: subtract rent, fuel, wallet loads, insurance, government payments or utilities if the card excludes or caps them. For the reward rate, use the effective rate: for points, multiply points per ₹100 by the rupee value of one point on the redemption you will really use (4 points per ₹150 at ₹0.25 a point is 0.67%). Add a milestone or welcome benefit only if you are sure to use it.

Worked example (illustrative). ₹20,000 a month of eligible spend is ₹2,40,000 a year. At 1.5% effective cashback, the reward value is ₹3,600. If the annual fee is ₹999 plus 18% GST, the fee is ₹1,178.82, so the card leaves about ₹2,421 a year in your favour. At 0.5% the reward value is ₹1,200 and the margin almost disappears.

Break-even spend. Divide the fee with GST by the reward rate: ₹1,178.82 ÷ 1.5% ≈ ₹78,588 of eligible spend a year. If the fee is waived above a spend threshold, compare that threshold with your real spend instead.

Limits. Monthly caps, category exclusions and point expiry reduce real value; interest on any unpaid balance wipes out rewards quickly. Rates and fees here are illustrative, not offers. See annual fee break-even and reward point value.

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