Net advantage
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On this transaction
Evaluating...
Enter cash and card prices on the left to compare.
Break-even reward rate
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Card rate needed to tie
Card rewards earned
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Cash back or points earned
Financing interest
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Finance charges if carried
30-day float value
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Grace period interest earned
Payment side-by-side breakdown
Compare total outlays, rewards, float, and finance charges.
Option A: Pay with cash
Option A- Cash checkout price: $96.50
- Card rewards: $0.00
- Grace float earnings: $0.00
- Financing interest: $0.00
- Net cash outlay: $96.50
Option B: Pay with credit card
Option B- Card checkout price: $100.00
- Credit card rewards (2.0%): -$2.00
- 30-day grace float value: -$0.33
- Financing interest (0 mos): +$0.00
- Net card outlay: $97.67
Monthly card repayment schedule
Revolving balances incur monthly compounding interest and forfeit the interest-free grace period.
| Month | Payment | Principal | Interest | Remaining balance |
|---|
Included and excluded assumptions
What this model includes
- Direct checkout cash discounts and credit card surcharge fees.
- Category credit card cash back, points, or miles reward earnings.
- Interest-free grace period float (earned at high-yield savings APY over ~30 days).
- Standard Regulation Z monthly amortizing interest for carried balances.
What is excluded or variable
- Consumer protections: credit cards offer chargeback rights, extended warranties, and purchase protection that cash does not provide.
- Card annual fees (evaluated separately on a full-portfolio basis).
- Introductory 0% APR promotional terms (deferred interest cards impose retroactive charges if not paid in full).
- ATM withdrawal fees or physical cash handling risks.
A planning estimate based on your inputs and the assumptions shown. Actual rewards, billing cycles, and merchant surcharge rules may differ.