How to Meet Your Credit Card’s Minimum Spend (2024)

At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.

When you get a new credit card, you'll often have the chance to earn a generous introductory bonus. With some cards, you'll receive statement credits worth a few hundred dollars; with others, you'll get thousands of points that could be redeemed for a flight or hotel stay.

The catch? To get your bonus, you'll need to put a certain amount of purchases on the card—a "minimum spend"—within a certain timeframe (usually the first three months). And if the minimum spend exceeds your normal budget, you'll need to find creative ways to meet it—without racking up debt or spending more than you should.

1. Plan for Big Purchases

Think about the future: What do you know you'll need to buy within the next few months? Maybe you can do your holiday shopping in August, or perhaps you can pay for some home or car repairs that you've been putting off.

If you've got a major purchase looming, such as a water heater or a vacation, then it might be a good time to apply for a new credit card. When I bought a used car, I was able to charge $3,000 of it to my Visa. Looking back, I wish I'd been trying to meet the minimum spend for a new card—I would've crushed the majority of it with that single purchase!

2. Buy Gift Cards for Your Favorite Stores

Another way to frontload purchases to meet an intro bonus requirement: Buy gift cards. Purchasing a few hundred dollars in gift cards at stores you frequent, like Target, Amazon or your local salon, can be a smart way to meet your minimum without spending more than you normally would.

Before using this technique, be sure to check your card's terms and conditions: American Express, for instance, says gift card purchases won't count toward your minimum spend on certain cards.

3. Charge All Your Bills

After receiving your new credit card, add it as the preferred payment method for all of your bills. While it might be a hassle, those automated payments could help you get to your minimum spend much more quickly. You should also see if you can pay your biggest bills, including college tuition, taxes, rent and mortgage, with your new card. This is only a good strategy if you know you'll pay off these charges every month.

One tool that might help is Plastiq, which facilitates credit card bill payments. Since it charges a 2.85% transaction fee, it's probably not a good idea to use Plastiq frequently, but it can come in handy in a pinch. Say you're shooting for a bonus worth $750 but are $1,000 shy of meeting the minimum spend. In that case, paying your $1,000 rent via Plastiq—along with $28.50 in fees—may be worthwhile. Just don't make it a habit.

4. Prepay Some Bills

You can also consider prepaying some of your major bills, such as your gym and yoga memberships, daycare expenses or car and renters insurance. Some insurers will let you pay six or 12 months of your premium at a time—a great way to meet your minimum spend (and often save money) without falling victim to unnecessary spending.

Just make sure you'll be able to pay off the extra charges when your statement comes. If you don't, the potential rewards will be more than negated by sky-high interest charges.

5. Pick Up the Tab

Don't think you'll be able to meet the minimum spend on your own? Then don't be afraid to ask for help. Chances are your friends and family aren't as obsessed with points as you are—and won't mind letting you put some of their expenses on your card.

After I broadcast my goal of meeting a minimum spend, my friends have let me pay for group dinners, airfare and other big-ticket items, then paid me back via Venmo or cash. You can try a similar approach with your employer: Instead of using the company card for work-related expenses, ask if you can use your own card and get reimbursed.

6. Help Others

Since many nonprofit organizations accept credit cards, making charitable donations is a fantastic way to help others while reaching your minimum spend. As an added bonus, your contributions may also be tax-deductible.

Another popular credit card strategy is to pay for microloans through Kiva. This nonprofit allows you to lend money, via credit card, to entrepreneurs all over the world. Though there's no guarantee your loan will be paid back, Kiva claims it has a 95.9% repayment rate. (Note the microfinancing industry can be controversial—so do your research before going this route.)

Earn rewards for your spending

See your top credit card matches based on your credit profile and spending habits.

Get the right card to earn cash back or points on your purchases and maximize your perks.

Apply for rewards cards matched for you and that you’re more likely to qualify for.

See your offers

See Also

How To Hit Your Minimum Spending Requirements And Earn Your Welcome Bonus | Bankrate

The Cardinal Rule of Credit Card Bonuses

Introductory bonuses are one of the best ways to earn rewards with credit cards. But before going after any sparkly bonuses, make sure you won't be going over your budget to earn them.

If the bonus requires you to spend $5,000 in three months—but you normally only spend $1,000 per month on your credit card—know where that extra $2,000 is coming from before you apply.

Otherwise, you could end up spending more than you can afford, getting yourself on the hook for late fees and interest—and negating any benefits you might receive.