THE COLOPHON
Editorial policy.
Transparency about how CardSorted operates, makes money, and maintains editorial independence.
FOOTNOTE 01
01
How we make money
CardSorted earns money through affiliate partnerships with credit card issuers. When you click an “Apply Now” link and are approved for a credit card, we may receive compensation from the card issuer or their affiliate network.
This compensation helps us keep CardSorted free to use. We do not charge consumers for access to our card comparisons, reviews, or educational content.
FOOTNOTE 02
02
Editorial independence
Our editorial content is independent from our business relationships. Compensation from affiliates does not influence:
- Which cards we include in our database
- How we rank cards within categories
- Our ratings or editorial opinions
- The content of our guides and educational articles
However, compensation may affect which cards are shown in “featured” or “sponsored” placements, which are always clearly labeled.
FOOTNOTE 03
03
How we rank cards
Cards within each category are ranked based on a combination of:
- Rewards value — Total value of cash back, points, or miles earned on typical spending
- Annual fee breakeven — Whether benefits exceed costs
- Signup bonus value — Current welcome offer strength
- Approval accessibility — Credit score requirements and approval odds
- Consumer-friendly terms — No foreign transaction fees, no penalty APR, flexible redemption
FOOTNOTE 04
04
Data accuracy
Credit card terms, APRs, rewards rates, and fees are sourced from publicly available issuer information. We review and update card details monthly. However, card terms can change at any time — always verify current terms directly with the card issuer before applying.
FOOTNOTE 05
05
FTC compliance
In accordance with FTC guidelines, CardSorted discloses material connections between our site and credit card issuers. Every page containing affiliate links includes a disclosure statement. This page serves as our comprehensive advertiser disclosure.
THE DESK
06
Our editorial team
All content on CardSorted is written or reviewed by credentialed financial professionals.
BYLINE
Rachel Torres
CFP
Certified Financial Planner
Rachel Torres is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with 12 years of experience in consumer credit and personal finance. She previously worked as a credit analyst at a major US bank and now focuses on helping consumers navigate credit card rewards, annual fees, and approval odds. Rachel reviews all card recommendations on CardSorted for accuracy and consumer benefit.
BYLINE
David Chen
CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst
David Chen is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with a decade of experience in financial product analysis and consumer advocacy. He specializes in dissecting credit card terms, APR structures, and signup bonus valuations. David ensures CardSorted's comparison methodology is data-driven and transparent.
BYLINE
Nina Patel
AFC
Accredited Financial Counselor
Nina Patel is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) dedicated to credit education and financial literacy. With 8 years counseling individuals on credit building, secured cards, and debt management, she brings a consumer-first perspective to CardSorted's editorial content.
CORRESPONDENCE