Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you wanted to know before using CardPick.
Is CardPick free to use?
Yes. The quiz is completely free. We earn money when you apply for a card through our affiliate links — this is how we keep the lights on, not from charging you.
Will applying for a card through CardPick hurt my credit score?
Yes — every card application triggers a "hard inquiry" from the bank, which temporarily lowers your score by 2–5 points. We show you approval likelihood based on your credit score range, so you can avoid applying for cards you're unlikely to get. If you get rejected, wait 3–6 months before applying again.
How does CardPick make money?
Affiliate commissions. When a bank approves your card application, they pay us a referral fee. This is a standard practice — most credit card comparison sites operate this way. Our algorithm is never influenced by commission. We recommend the card that's best for your answers, regardless of what we earn.
How do you pick which card to recommend?
We built a scoring engine. It filters by (1) whether you qualify based on income and credit score, (2) your annual fee tolerance, then scores remaining cards on (3) how well your spending categories match the card's accelerated rewards, (4) your reward preference, and (5) your approval likelihood. The highest-scoring card wins.
What happens after I get a recommendation?
You can tap "View card details" to see full pros/cons, fees, and category breakdown. Then apply directly through the bank's website. We don't collect your data or store your quiz answers.
What if I want a different card?
The quiz only takes 90 seconds. Retake it with different answers and you'll get a different recommendation. That's the whole point — it's not a binding decision.
I have a poor credit score. Can I still get a card?
Yes — some cards are specifically designed for fair and poor credit scores. Our quiz will match you to those cards. We won't recommend a card you're very unlikely to get approved for.
Do you track my data or share it with anyone?
No. Your quiz answers stay in your browser. We don't use analytics, don't have a database, and don't sell any data. The only data that leaves our server is anonymous pageview tracking (like every website does).
Why only 5 questions? Why not more?
Because 5 is the minimum needed to make a good recommendation. More questions = more friction = more people abandoning the quiz. We tested several versions. Five got the best completion rate while maintaining recommendation quality.
Can I use CardPick if I already have credit cards?
Absolutely. The quiz helps you find cards that match your spending pattern, regardless of whether you already have cards. Many people use it to find a second card that complements their existing one (e.g., a dining card on top of a travel card).