How PointAlchemy compares
Most tools tell you which card to pull out of your wallet. PointAlchemy tells you that, plus whether each annual fee is worth it, which credits you're forgetting, and where to transfer your points for maximum value.
Different tools fit different needs. Here's an honest breakdown of where each one shines.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | PointAlchemy | MaxRewards | CardPointers | Kudos | AwardWallet | Travel Freely |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Optimization | ||||||
| Best card recommendations | ||||||
| Earning cap analysis | ||||||
| CPP valuations (min/typical/max) | ||||||
| Transfer partner optimization | ||||||
| Optimization reports | ||||||
| Application rules (5/24, lifetime, etc.) | ||||||
| Portfolio Management | ||||||
| Portfolio overview with valuations | ||||||
| Benefit & credit tracking | ||||||
| Annual fee timeline & ROI | ||||||
| Welcome offer analysis & history | ||||||
| Product change / downgrade paths | ||||||
| Business card entity management | ||||||
| Tracking & Data | ||||||
| Card database (unique products) | ||||||
| Bank connection (Plaid) | ||||||
| Transaction tracking | ||||||
| Auto offer activation | ||||||
| Award Search & Platform | ||||||
| Live award flight search | ||||||
| Household / Player 2 support | ||||||
| Mobile app | Soon | |||||
| Browser extension | Soon | |||||
| Pricing | Free / $5.99/mo or $49.99/yr / $11.99/mo or $99.99/yr | $108/yr (Gold) / $240+/yr (Platinum) | $72/yr (Pro) / $240 lifetime | $49.99/yr (Premium) | $49.99/yr | Free |
Based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Something wrong? Let us know.
About award flight search
None of the tools above search for award flight availability in real time. That's a different category entirely. If you need to find available award seats, check out tools like point.me or Seats.aero. PointAlchemy helps you figure out which points to use and how to get them there. Then those tools help you find the seats.
Who each tool is best for
PointAlchemy
Accuracy-first portfolio optimization
Portfolio-level optimization, earning cap math, transfer strategy, households, business cards
Free / $5.99/mo or $49.99/yr / $11.99/mo or $99.99/yr
MaxRewards
Which-card notifications + auto offer activation
"Which card?" at checkout with auto offer activation, if you trust credential storage
$108/yr (Gold) / $240+/yr (Platinum)
CardPointers
Location-based card suggestions
Location-based "which card?" with Apple Watch, casual users who want push notifications
$72/yr (Pro) / $240 lifetime
Kudos
AI-powered card recommendations
AI-driven recommendations with a hands-off approach
$49.99/yr (Premium)
AwardWallet
Loyalty balance tracking across 700+ programs
Tracking balances across 700+ loyalty programs (airlines, hotels, store credits)
$49.99/yr
Travel Freely
Free welcome bonus tracking & application planning
Free welcome bonus tracking and basic application planning on a budget
Free
Where PointAlchemy isn't the right fit
No tool is perfect for everyone. Here's where other options may serve you better.
You need a mobile app right now
PointAlchemy is a web app that works on any device. A native mobile app and browser extension are coming soon, but if you need them today, MaxRewards or CardPointers have you covered.
You want auto offer activation
Some tools automatically activate Amex Offers and other card promotions for you. We don't do this because it requires storing merchant credentials, which we avoid for security reasons.
You only have one card
If you use a single card for everything and don't plan to add more, there's not much to optimize. Our free tier works, but you'll get more value from PointAlchemy once you have 3+ cards.