Tool
The effective APY calculator
Every bonus you hold cash for is really a short-term bond. Enter the offer's parameters below to see what its real annualized return is. A $200 bonus on $30,000 held 120 days is worth about the same as a $50 no-lock bonus - because you tied up $30K.
Effective APY
12.17%
= (300 / 10,000) × (365 / 90) × 100
APY vs. hold period
Same bonus and capital, different hold windows. The longer you're locked, the lower the annualized return.
Rule of thumb
Anything above 10% effective APY beats nearly every HYSA. Above 20%, you're in credit-union promo territory. Above 30%, drop everything.