How we rate credit cards

Two ratings, never merged

Every card page can show two different things: an editorial rating (our independent 0–5 assessment) and, once real reviews exist, a consumer rating (the average of verified consumer reviews). We keep them visibly separate and label which is which. We never blend them into one unexplained number, and we never present an editorial score as a consumer score.

How the editorial score is built

Each card category has its own rubric, because what makes a great secured card is not what makes a great travel card. We score each dimension 0–5, apply the category weights below, and normalize. A rating is only displayed when the methodology version, the category sub-scores, a named author, and a data-completeness figure are all present — an incomplete record shows “pending review,” not a number.

Independence and conflicts

Credit Defense Hub earns no commission or affiliate revenue from card issuers. Editorial scores, rankings, and review visibility are independent of any advertising relationship. We do not accept payment to raise a score, remove a review, or reorder results.

The category rubrics and weights