Our Core Editorial Principles
These are not aspirational statements — they are rules our editorial process is structurally designed to enforce.
- Rankings are determined by data, not dollars. Card issuers cannot pay to improve their position in our rankings, earn higher star ratings, or receive more favorable coverage. Our rankings are calculated from reward rates, point valuations, annual fees, and signup bonuses — not from advertising relationships.
- Affiliate relationships are disclosed, always. When a card on our site has an affiliate link — meaning we may earn a commission if you're approved — that is disclosed on the page. We do not use hidden or undisclosed affiliate links.
- Cards without affiliate relationships are covered fairly. Some cards we review have no affiliate program, meaning we earn nothing if you apply. We cover these cards anyway if they offer genuine value to our readers. Our ratings for these cards follow the identical methodology as cards we do earn commissions on.
- Editorial content and commercial content are separated. Our card ratings, review copy, and recommendation tools are produced independently of our partnerships team. A card issuer purchasing advertising or affiliate placement has no ability to edit, approve, or influence editorial content about their card.
- We correct errors promptly. When we publish incorrect information — whether a wrong APR, an outdated bonus, or a factual error in a review — we correct it and note the correction. If you spot an error, email us at hello@elitecardperks.com.
Our Review Process
Every card reviewed on EliteCardPerks goes through the same steps before it's published.
We pull all terms, APRs, reward rates, and benefit details directly from the issuer's website and official card agreement — not from press releases or third-party summaries.
We calculate annual reward value using our standardized spending profiles and real-world point valuations sourced from travel loyalty program data. All math is shown in our Methodology page.
Each card is scored against comparable cards in its category. A $95 travel card is measured against other $95 travel cards — not against a no-fee card or a $695 premium card.
We identify genuine weaknesses in every card we review, including cards we earn high commissions on. A card with a great rewards rate but a punishing foreign transaction fee gets that weakness noted prominently.
Card terms change. Signup bonuses rotate. Annual fees get raised or reduced. We monitor issuer pages and update our content when material changes occur — typically within 48 hours of a change.
How Affiliate Commissions Work
When you click an "Apply Now" link on EliteCardPerks and are approved for a card, we may receive a commission from the card issuer. This is the primary way this site generates revenue. The commission is paid by the issuer — not by you — and does not affect your card terms, interest rate, or approval odds in any way.
Commission rates vary significantly by card and issuer. Some cards pay substantially more than others. Our editorial process is specifically designed so that higher-commission cards do not receive preferential treatment. If a lower-commission card — or a card with no affiliate program at all — is the genuinely better choice for a given spending profile, our tools and recommendations will say so.
What We Don't Do
- We do not accept payment for "sponsored" card reviews or "featured" placements disguised as editorial content.
- We do not write fake reviews or fabricate user testimonials.
- We do not use misleading "pre-approval" tools that are actually just lead generation forms.
- We do not bury advertiser disclosures in fine print — they appear at the top of relevant pages.
- We do not share your quiz responses, spending data, or personal information with card issuers.
Questions about our editorial standards? We welcome scrutiny. If you believe a card is rated incorrectly, a disclosure is missing, or our content conflicts with this policy, contact us at hello@elitecardperks.com. We take these reports seriously and will respond within 2 business days.
Last updated: February 2026