How awardtrail Works
🧭 My Journey from Spreadsheet Chaos to Clarity
As a credit card enthusiast, I got tired of wrestling with complex Excel sheets and missing deadlines. I started building my own tool about 10 months ago just for myself, but I soon realized others faced the same pains. I decided to release awardtrail to the world—a mission control built the way enthusiasts actually think.
1. Easier than Excel: Bonus Tracker
Track your signup bonus spending progress and deadlines in real time. Unlike brittle spreadsheets, awardtrail automates the math so you never miss a reward. And because your data belongs to you, you can export everything back to Excel with one click for your personal records.
2. Don’t Leave Money on the Table
To make up for high annual fees, you have to use the credits that come with your cards. Our Benefit Tracker helps you see which monthly or yearly credits you’ve used and which are still remaining. Capture every dollar of value from your "coupon book" cards effortlessly.
3. Power-User Essential: 5/24 Calculator
The Chase “5/24 rule” is the gatekeeper of high-value rewards. Stop counting on your fingers. Awardtrail analyzes your card-opening history across all banks and tells you exactly where you and your P2 stand. Know exactly when you'll drop below the limit to plan your next big move.
4. Smarter Marriott Eligibility Check
Marriott card eligibility and bonus rules are famously complicated. We’ve distilled those complex 30/90/24 rules into a smart matrix. Awardtrail intelligently checks whether you can apply for a given Marriott card right now and whether you are eligible for the bonus based on the cards you currently hold.
5. Everything in One Place: My Dashboard
From bonus progress and benefits to overall card status, see your entire ecosystem on one page. We calculate your Lifetime Value Earned—showing you exactly how much travel savings you've reclaimed through your points and miles portfolio.
6. Manage the Whole Family
Awardtrail is built for "2-player mode." Easily manage cards and track bonuses for your spouse or family members within a single account. Stay on top of your "P2"'s spending and deadlines so no points are left behind.
Built for enthusiasts. By enthusiasts.
I wanted a tool that actually worked the way I think. My goal is to keep making it easier for you to manage your cards, optimize your benefits, and never miss a signup bonus again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is awardtrail?
Awardtrail is a free credit card rewards management tool built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. It helps you track sign-up bonus spending progress, manage card benefits and annual credits, calculate your Chase 5/24 status, check Marriott card eligibility, and coordinate cards for your whole family — all in one dashboard.
How does the bonus tracker work?
Enter your card and its sign-up bonus details including the minimum spending requirement (MSR) and deadline. Awardtrail tracks your spending progress in real time with a visual progress bar and alerts you before the deadline so you never miss a reward. You can export your full tracking history to Excel at any time.
Does awardtrail track card benefits and annual credits?
Yes. The benefit tracker lets you log which monthly and annual credits you have used across all your cards — for example, your Amex Platinum's $200 airline fee credit, your Chase Sapphire Reserve's $300 travel credit, or your Amex Gold's $120 dining credit. Never leave a credit unused again.
Can awardtrail calculate my Chase 5/24 status?
Yes. The 5/24 calculator analyzes your card-opening history and tells you exactly how many of your 24-month slots are used. It also shows the precise date when each card drops off your count, helping you plan your next Chase application. It supports multiple people such as you and your spouse.
Can I manage credit cards for my spouse or family?
Yes. Awardtrail supports two-player (P2) mode. You can add a second person to your account and manage their cards, bonuses, and benefits alongside your own — essential for couples who coordinate credit card strategies together.
Is awardtrail free to use?
Yes. Awardtrail is completely free. The core tools — bonus tracker, benefit tracker, 5/24 calculator, Marriott matrix, and family card management — are all available at no cost. The app is supported through advertising.
Does awardtrail access my bank accounts?
No. Awardtrail never connects to or accesses your bank accounts or credit card accounts. You manually enter your card data and spending progress, so your financial credentials are never at risk.