The 80% Rule – Why Maximizing Credit Card Rewards Shouldn’t Drive You Crazy

When it comes to credit card rewards, more is always better… right?

Not exactly. While chasing the absolute maximum rewards might sound tempting, it often comes with diminishing returns, added complexity, and unnecessary stress.

At MaxMyCard, we focus on achieving an 80% optimization rate—this ensures a great balance between effort and reward. Instead of getting lost in spreadsheets and tracking every single point, we help you maximize your returns without making credit card rewards feel like a full-time job.

🛑 Why Stop at 80% While Maximizing Credit Card Rewards?

Sure, you could go all-in trying to , holding 10+ credit cards, monitoring dozens of bonus categories, and transferring points at the exact right moment—but is that really worth it? Here’s why we stop at 80% optimization:

1️⃣ More Time & Effort for Minimal Gains

Tracking reward categories, exempted categories, transfer bonuses, forex fees, and special promotions for every card you hold takes a lot of time.

🔹 Is it really worth the effort to remember that your XYZ Bank Card gives 1.5x on grocery shopping only on Wednesdays?

🔹 Or that your ABC Card has 5x rewards on fuel, but only if you cross ₹10,000 in spends first?

At some point, the extra time spent trying to squeeze every possible point isn’t worth the return.

2️⃣ Complicated Redemption Strategies

The more cards you have, the more redemption rules you need to follow:

🔸 Some points expire faster than others.

🔸 Some transfer partners take days (or even weeks) to process.

🔸 Some redemptions have hidden fees or blackout dates that make them tough to use.

When you’re juggling 10+ cards, planning redemptions starts feeling like solving a puzzle rather than enjoying your rewards.

3️⃣ Diminishing Returns – More Effort, Less Value

Beyond a certain point, each extra percentage of rewards requires exponentially more effort.

✅ The first 80% is easy—a couple of good cards with clear spending categories.

🚧 The last 20%? That’s where things get tricky—cards with weird bonus structures, complex transfer programs, and niche redemption rules.

For example, if you already have HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus, trying to squeeze out an extra 1% by adding niche cards isn’t really going to move the needle. It’s better to focus on using your points efficiently rather than collecting them endlessly.

The Sweet Spot – A Smart, Stress-Free Strategy

So, how do you balance effort and reward? Follow these simple rules:

🔹 Stick to 3-5 high-value cards that cover most of your spending.

🔹 Use cards with easy-to-understand reward structures.

🔹 Leverage transfer bonuses when they appear—but don’t obsess over them.

🔹 Don’t let points expire—redeem them smartly instead of hoarding.

🔹 Prioritize convenience—if a redemption requires too much effort, it’s not worth it.

💡 The Bottom Line – Keep It Simple & Enjoy the Rewards!

At MaxMyCard, we believe that the best rewards strategy is one that works for you—not one that forces you to spend hours tracking every single point.

Maximizing rewards is great, but don’t let it become a second job. Stick to 80% optimization, and you’ll enjoy a stress-free, high-reward experience without losing your mind over every last point.

What do you think? Are you someone who pushes beyond 80%, or do you prefer a simpler, high-value approach? Let us know in the comments! 🚀