Chase Sapphire Reserve; 100,000 points signup bonus

[johnny847]

I don't know why people are surprised that the fee is charged right away.
What yearly membership do you know what charges you at the end of the year ??
Every CC charges you the annual fee at the beginning. You can always cancel the card and they will give you the prorated fee back.

I don't understand why people are ganging up on you on this.

It's not that the CSR charges an annual fee that golfreak12 is talking about. Yes, many credit cards waive the annual fee in the first year. However it is very clearly stated that the AF is an unwaived $450. This should be a surprise to no one---especially people on this thread, as it has been discussed numerous times that this card does have a large AF (easily offset by the card benefits and signup bonus ofc).

It's the fact that for some reason, people are surprised by annual fee getting charged right away that golfreak12 is not understanding. I don't understand it either. In what situation would you pay a membership or annual fee at the end of your membership year?

[TomTX]

Apparently someone at Chase is working on labor day. CSR showed up on my Chase account online.

[SCUBAstache]

Just got my instant approval, hurray! Was more generous with my income estimate this time, so I avoided the credit line shuffle. On my last application I didn't include investment income, etc. Pretty sure this will take me to the 5/24 limit, though, so hopefully it's worth it. Probably will downgrade my CSP as others have suggested. Once the bonus hits this should take my ultimate rewards to 250k! Now if I can only get my SO on board we can have a pretty ridiculous, non-MMM vacation.

[TomTX]

Just got my instant approval, hurray! Was more generous with my income estimate this time, so I avoided the credit line shuffle. On my last application I didn't include investment income, etc. Pretty sure this will take me to the 5/24 limit, though, so hopefully it's worth it. Probably will downgrade my CSP as others have suggested. Once the bonus hits this should take my ultimate rewards to 250k! Now if I can only get my SO on board we can have a pretty ridiculous, non-MMM vacation.

Yeah, that's our basic plan. Collect stupid amounts of points largely* though stuff we would buy anyway - and go spend a month on a tropical island on points.


*Probably going to route the mortgage through Plastique and pay the 2.5% fee to get min spend. 2.5% fee, effectively 1.5% in points for travel.

[ender]

I think that churning is basically against the Ultimate Rewards program agreement now:

Your points don't expire, however you'll immediately lose all your points if your account status changes, or your account is closed, for any of the following reasons:

...

• We believe you've misused the program in any way, for example... by repeatedly opening or otherwise maintaining credit card accounts for the purpose of generating rewards

It seems they have a clause to revoke all points gained from the rewards. So just beware.

Also, I believe using Plastiq is explicitly considered a transaction type which is not part of their $4k spend bonus, so if you do go down this route, beware, they basically have language in their ToS to explicitly revoke points for such transactions.

[Jaguar Paw]

I think that churning is basically against the Ultimate Rewards program agreement now:

Your points don't expire, however you'll immediately lose all your points if your account status changes, or your account is closed, for any of the following reasons:

...

• We believe you've misused the program in any way, for example... by repeatedly opening or otherwise maintaining credit card accounts for the purpose of generating rewards

It seems they have a clause to revoke all points gained from the rewards. So just beware.

Also, I believe using Plastiq is explicitly considered a transaction type which is not part of their $4k spend bonus, so if you do go down this route, beware, they basically have language in their ToS to explicitly revoke points for such transactions.

Now that's interesting....

[TomTX]

I think that churning is basically against the Ultimate Rewards program agreement now:

Your points don't expire, however you'll immediately lose all your points if your account status changes, or your account is closed, for any of the following reasons:

...

• We believe you've misused the program in any way, for example... by repeatedly opening or otherwise maintaining credit card accounts for the purpose of generating rewards

It seems they have a clause to revoke all points gained from the rewards. So just beware.

Also, I believe using Plastiq is explicitly considered a transaction type which is not part of their $4k spend bonus, so if you do go down this route, beware, they basically have language in their ToS to explicitly revoke points for such transactions.

Do you have a reference on Plastiq? I would use it for legit spend, I'm not playing manufactured spend games.

[ender]

From the 100k bonus points offer details, emphasis mine:

Earning Points
How you can earn points: You’ll earn points when you, or an authorized user, use a Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ credit card to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds. Buying products and services with your card, in most cases, will count as a purchase; however, the following types of transactions won’t count and won’t earn points: balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, overdraft advances, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable. 3

Within the cardmember agreement included in my packet I received with the card, linked here, the definition of the above bolded term (cash-like transactions) is, with emphasis mine:

The following transactions will be treated as cash advances: purchasing travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions; purchasing lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions; and making a payment using a third party service.

I see nearly no situation where Plastiq would not be considered "making a payment using third party service."

It's possible they intend that to mean that "any 3rd party service using the card will be processed as a cash advance [unless you lower the limit to $20]" but the language is sloppy enough I would have some reservations about them not using the quoted text to retroactively invalidate bonus points awarded through spending should enough people run up $4k of Plastiq spending to hit their spend. Particularly since Plastiq is likely to be pretty obvious to them as I assume it all shows up as a fairly common source.

[Flying Penguin]

Thanks for this thread! I just got instant approved. I've been too lazy to play the credit card churning game, but for $1500+2*300-450=$1650, it's definitely worth it. Hope I get the card quickly. I want to put my Thanksgiving travel on it.

[FIreDrill]

I got the Sapphire preferred a couple months ago with a 50k sign up bonus.   Already purchased a round trip ticket to Vegas with it for about 25k miles.

Decided to apply for the Reserve as well.  Got approved with a 28k limit.  This will take my sign up bonus points to 350k over the last 2 years.   If this over is still around in 3 months we will probably have my wife sign up as well.   We could potentially hit 500k bonus miles for the last 2 years come December...

Got to love cheap airfare!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[ender]

Has anyone been able to lower their cash advance limit with the CSR?

I sent a message requesting it to be set to $50 and got this:

Hello ender,

Thank you for contacting Chase about setting up a limit on
cash advance transactions.

Ender, let me share that the option to set up an upper
limit on the amount of each cash advance transaction is
not available. Please accept our apologies for any
inconvenience this may cause.

If you need any other assistance, you can send us a secure
message. We appreciate your business and thank you for
choosing Chase.

Thank you,

[Rubic]

Has anyone been able to lower their cash advance limit with the CSR?

I sent a message requesting it to be set to $50 and got this:

Hello ender,

Thank you for contacting Chase about setting up a limit on
cash advance transactions.

Ender, let me share that the option to set up an upper
limit on the amount of each cash advance transaction is
not available. Please accept our apologies for any
inconvenience this may cause.

If you need any other assistance, you can send us a secure
message. We appreciate your business and thank you for
choosing Chase.

Thank you,

Interesting development.  I've never had a problem in the past with
lowering my cash advance limit to $100 -- with any bank.

http://www.doctorofcredit.com/how-to-avoid-cash-advance-fees/

You should still be okay with your planned purchases to meet your
minimum spend, however.

[Threshkin]

From the 100k bonus points offer details, emphasis mine:

Earning Points
How you can earn points: You’ll earn points when you, or an authorized user, use a Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ credit card to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds. Buying products and services with your card, in most cases, will count as a purchase; however, the following types of transactions won’t count and won’t earn points: balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, overdraft advances, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable. 3

Within the cardmember agreement included in my packet I received with the card, linked here, the definition of the above bolded term (cash-like transactions) is, with emphasis mine:

The following transactions will be treated as cash advances: purchasing travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions; purchasing lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions; and making a payment using a third party service.

I see nearly no situation where Plastiq would not be considered "making a payment using third party service."

It's possible they intend that to mean that "any 3rd party service using the card will be processed as a cash advance [unless you lower the limit to $20]" but the language is sloppy enough I would have some reservations about them not using the quoted text to retroactively invalidate bonus points awarded through spending should enough people run up $4k of Plastiq spending to hit their spend. Particularly since Plastiq is likely to be pretty obvious to them as I assume it all shows up as a fairly common source.

This thread has me concerned because I am (was) planning on covering the $4k spending requirement by making my estimated federal tax payments using Plastiq.

I did a quick google and found the following IRS site: https://www.irs.gov/uac/pay-taxes-by-credit-or-debit-card

This lead me to: https://www.pay1040.com/ which appears to be the lowest cost option in the IRS site (1.87% fee).  I will talk to them and try to verify if the payment will be coded as a purchase (good) or as a cash advance (bad).

I may also flat out ask Chase if this is a valid spend. 

[kitkat]

Anyone have experience with this "Priority Pass" business?? I have a flight coming up that originates in SFO and has a layover in ATL. Looks like the SFO PP lounge is only accessible to people flying out of Concourse A, which is only half of the international terminal!! The ATL lounge seems to be accessible, but is also in the international terminal in the far end of the airport.

Curious if others feel that PP is actually useful, and also just a heads up for anyone considering keeping CSR after the first year for the PP membership....

[Threshkin]

...snip for space saving...

This thread [risk of using Plastiq for minimum spend] has me concerned because I am (was) planning on covering the $4k spending requirement by making my estimated federal tax payments using Plastiq.

I did a quick google and found the following IRS site: https://www.irs.gov/uac/pay-taxes-by-credit-or-debit-card

This lead me to: https://www.pay1040.com/ which appears to be the lowest cost option in the IRS site (1.87% fee).  I will talk to them and try to verify if the payment will be coded as a purchase (good) or as a cash advance (bad).

I may also flat out ask Chase if this is a valid spend.

Update: First bit of good news (from the FAQ page)
"5. Will I be charged a cash advance fee?

No, your tax payment will be treated like a retail purchase and not a cash advance."
https://www.pay1040.com/Default/TaxPayerTools/FrequentlyAskedQuestions#question05

If Chase denies this charge i may have a good argument with them since this is an IRS authorized and recommended site for paying taxes.

[ender]

Has anyone been able to lower their cash advance limit with the CSR?

I sent a message requesting it to be set to $50 and got this:

Hello ender,

Thank you for contacting Chase about setting up a limit on
cash advance transactions.

Ender, let me share that the option to set up an upper
limit on the amount of each cash advance transaction is
not available. Please accept our apologies for any
inconvenience this may cause.

If you need any other assistance, you can send us a secure
message. We appreciate your business and thank you for
choosing Chase.

Thank you,

Interesting development.  I've never had a problem in the past with
lowering my cash advance limit to $100 -- with any bank.

http://www.doctorofcredit.com/how-to-avoid-cash-advance-fees/

You should still be okay with your planned purchases to meet your
minimum spend, however.

I called and the rep was able to do it.

I'm... not sure what the person answering my email was going on about. I've had so much better luck connecting to Chase's support through their phone lines than their email support.

[Rubic]

I called and the rep was able to do it.

I'm... not sure what the person answering my email was going on about. I've
had so much better luck connecting to Chase's support through their phone
lines than their email support.

Makes sense.  It's easier to decline your request via secure message than when you're on
the phone and can escalate the issue by asking to speak with their supervisor.

[ender]

I called and the rep was able to do it.

I'm... not sure what the person answering my email was going on about. I've
had so much better luck connecting to Chase's support through their phone
lines than their email support.

Makes sense.  It's easier to decline your request via secure message than when you're on
the phone and can escalate the issue by asking to speak with their supervisor.

I think it had more to do with a secure message rep in India not knowing what they were doing vs a USA based call center representative having a lot more information...

[EnjoyIt]

...snip for space saving...

This thread [risk of using Plastiq for minimum spend] has me concerned because I am (was) planning on covering the $4k spending requirement by making my estimated federal tax payments using Plastiq.

I did a quick google and found the following IRS site: https://www.irs.gov/uac/pay-taxes-by-credit-or-debit-card

This lead me to: https://www.pay1040.com/ which appears to be the lowest cost option in the IRS site (1.87% fee).  I will talk to them and try to verify if the payment will be coded as a purchase (good) or as a cash advance (bad).

I may also flat out ask Chase if this is a valid spend.

Update: First bit of good news (from the FAQ page)
"5. Will I be charged a cash advance fee?

No, your tax payment will be treated like a retail purchase and not a cash advance."
https://www.pay1040.com/Default/TaxPayerTools/FrequentlyAskedQuestions#question05

If Chase denies this charge i may have a good argument with them since this is an IRS authorized and recommended site for paying taxes.

I have done this with other cards without any issues.  I used pay1040.com as well since it has the lowest fee.

[katsiki]

I got the Sapphire preferred a couple months ago with a 50k sign up bonus.   Already purchased a round trip ticket to Vegas with it for about 25k miles.

Decided to apply for the Reserve as well.  Got approved with a 28k limit.  This will take my sign up bonus points to 350k over the last 2 years.   If this over is still around in 3 months we will probably have my wife sign up as well.   We could potentially hit 500k bonus miles for the last 2 years come December...

Got to love cheap airfare!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

What other cards did you get?  I'm trying to get a little over 300K points in the next 18 months for 2 tickets to Europe.  Thanks for any advice!

[FIreDrill]

I got the Sapphire preferred a couple months ago with a 50k sign up bonus.   Already purchased a round trip ticket to Vegas with it for about 25k miles.

Decided to apply for the Reserve as well.  Got approved with a 28k limit.  This will take my sign up bonus points to 350k over the last 2 years.   If this over is still around in 3 months we will probably have my wife sign up as well.   We could potentially hit 500k bonus miles for the last 2 years come December...

Got to love cheap airfare!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

What other cards did you get?  I'm trying to get a little over 300K points in the next 18 months for 2 tickets to Europe.  Thanks for any advice!

We got 200k miles in sign up bonuses for American Airlines by signing up for 4 different cards about a year ago.  It was right before US airways merged with American Airlines.  We got 2 US airways cards with 50k bonus miles each and 2 American Airlines advantage cards with 50k bonus miles each.

We used 80k miles for two round trip tickets to Athens back in April and it looks like our next trip will be to Peru.

So far this year we have gotten 2 cards for 150k bonus miles.  We may double that by the end of the year though.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Letj]

Posting to follow.

[TomTX]

How does getting $600 before the second annual fee work? The first annual fee is charged upfront, and then the $300 credit won't post until December/January. The next annual fee would be charged before the next credit.

It's still a decent deal...at the end of the day you're paying $450 to get $1,800 worth of travel...but really only $1,350 of that is "free".

This was already explained in the thread. The $300 travel credit is per calendar year - with the changeover being your December closing date rather than the actual end of December.

Spend $300 on travel in October. Get reimbursed $300

Spend $300 on travel in January. Get reimbursed $300 again.

[geekette]

The reimbursement doesn't wait until December - our $300 credit posted the same day our cruise payment did, just 2 days after we got the card.

[cheddarpie]

Just got mine in the mail! Posting to follow ...

[golfreak12]

DENIED....although I kinda knew I would be.
800+ score and still denied. I got the letter today...too many CC in the last 2 years.

[kudy]

DENIED....although I kinda knew I would be.
800+ score and still denied. I got the letter today...too many CC in the last 2 years.

I have 12 cards in the last 2 years, and I was approved by asking in-branch if I was pre-approved - have you considered this path?

[golfreak12]

DENIED....although I kinda knew I would be.
800+ score and still denied. I got the letter today...too many CC in the last 2 years.

I have 12 cards in the last 2 years, and I was approved by asking in-branch if I was pre-approved - have you considered this path?

Thats my next step :))) All my banking is with Chase so hopefully I have pre=approved status.

[Jet9]

Hmmm...I don't think I'll have any problem spending $300 on actual travel, but I'm wondering if dining at a hotel restaurant would code as travel?

[TomTX]

Hmmm...I don't think I'll have any problem spending $300 on actual travel, but I'm wondering if dining at a hotel restaurant would code as travel?

Let us know!

[TomTX]

Apparently someone at Chase is working on labor day. CSR showed up on my Chase account online.

...and the card arrived today by Express UPS.

Plastic card with a promise of a fancy card later.

[flashpacker]

Folks don't waste the credit pull if you're over 5/24.  You can sometimes get around 5/24 if you're "pre-approved" and apply in branch. Pre-approved is different from pre-qualified. 

Someone asked if the priority pass is useful.  It depends on your travel patterns but we love it.  It helps if you have a nice PP lounge that works for you at your home airport (eg located in the same terminal as whatever airline you usually fly.)  We use lounges on arrival back home as much as on departure.

Doctor of Credit, Miles to Memories and Frequent Miler are all good blogs to read up about the CSR if you're new to this.

People should be aware that American Express have recently been denying the sign up bonus for their Platinum card to people who purchased gift cards to meet minimum spend, and there is a fear Chase might try to do the same with the 100K offer for the CSR.  Best to meet with normal spend if you can e.g., property taxes, pre-paying a few bills, health insurance if you're self-employed, making purchases for family member etc.

[Roots&Wings]

Folks don't waste the credit pull if you're over 5/24.  You can sometimes get around 5/24 if you're "pre-approved" and apply in branch. Pre-approved is different from pre-qualified. 

Someone asked if the priority pass is useful.  It depends on your travel patterns but we love it.  It helps if you have a nice PP lounge that works for you at your home airport (eg located in the same terminal as whatever airline you usually fly.)  We use lounges on arrival back home as much as on departure.

Doctor of Credit, Miles to Memories and Frequent Miler are all good blogs to read up about the CSR if you're new to this.

People should be aware that American Express have recently been denying the sign up bonus for their Platinum card to people who purchased gift cards to meet minimum spend, and there is a fear Chase might try to do the same with the 100K offer for the CSR.  Best to meet with normal spend if you can e.g., property taxes, pre-paying a few bills, health insurance if you're self-employed, making purchases for family member etc.

Do you know if Amex Platinum has same 5/24 issue? Seems like a somewhat similar offer (100,000 pts/$1k cash bonus upon spending $3k in 3 mos, $200 airline credit, $450 annual fee).

[tooqk4u22]

I did it, now I hope I can meet the $4k spend in less than three months (less because it takes time to get the card). 

Actually for an MMM crowd there are a lot of spendypants going on if you can spend $4k on a credit card in three months.....I mean there are a lot of things you can't pay for with a credit card.  Guess worst case is I pay my property taxes and pay the $60 convenience fee if I am up against not meeting the spend.

Apparently someone at Chase is working on labor day. CSR showed up on my Chase account online.

...and the card arrived today by Express UPS.

Plastic card with a promise of a fancy card later.

That's because the offer was so popular that they ran out of the "cool" cards....

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-credit-card-is-so-popular-that-chase-ran-out-of-them-2016-09-07

[johnny847]

Actually for an MMM crowd there are a lot of spendypants going on if you can spend $4k on a credit card in three months.....I mean there are a lot of things you can't pay for with a credit card.  Guess worst case is I pay my property taxes and pay the $60 convenience fee if I am up against not meeting the spend.

It's called manufactured spending.

[honeybbq]

fyi, I spoke with Chase rep and confirmed that the $300 travel reimbursement is taken off your bill automatically when you purchase travel related items and will start right away (ie, doesn't only kick in after the minimum spend is met).  I know I read that somewhere in this long thread, but just confirming it for others that might not have read the entire thread.

Just wanted to vouch. I've already used my travel reimbursement and I've had it a week! (I prepaid a hotel I'm staying at in October) It showed as a credit to my account.

YAY!

[chesebert]

I have already met my 4K spending (including $300 travel, which had already been credited) and I had it for no more than 2 weeks... Patiently waiting for my 100k points.

[tooqk4u22]

Actually for an MMM crowd there are a lot of spendypants going on if you can spend $4k on a credit card in three months.....I mean there are a lot of things you can't pay for with a credit card.  Guess worst case is I pay my property taxes and pay the $60 convenience fee if I am up against not meeting the spend.

It's called manufactured spending.

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

I have already met my 4K spending (including $300 travel, which had already been credited) and I had it for no more than 2 weeks... Patiently waiting for my 100k points.

$4k in two weeks....you must have timed it perfectly or have a lot of monthly spending.  If you don't mind, how did you hit it in that time/what you purchase?

[ender]

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Would you pay $70 to get about $1200 in benefit?

That's what I'll be doing with my property taxes for this. Mainly because I'm lazy and don't want to worry about hitting the spend.

And realistically, a processing fee of $70 on $3.5k to pay property taxes is only $35 since I'll also get $35 worth of points. We'll spend the other $500 pretty easily.

[Dollar Slice]

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Everyone is different. Some people have bigger families and higher budgets. Some people have work expenses they can put on a card and get reimbursed for. Some have charitable donations they put on a card. Some people live in HCOL areas and have naturally higher spend. Some people can pre-pay certain expenses for months in advance.

Plus I don't think there's any way they can actually exclude all gift cards. If I go to the grocery store and get a $200 gift card with my groceries, how would they know? If I walk into CVS and buy a $50 gift card along with my medication, how would they know?

[Travis]

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Everyone is different. Some people have bigger families and higher budgets. Some people have work expenses they can put on a card and get reimbursed for. Some have charitable donations they put on a card. Some people live in HCOL areas and have naturally higher spend. Some people can pre-pay certain expenses for months in advance.

Plus I don't think there's any way they can actually exclude all gift cards. If I go to the grocery store and get a $200 gift card with my groceries, how would they know? If I walk into CVS and buy a $50 gift card along with my medication, how would they know?

All the credit cards say they won't allow gift cards to count, but they show up on your bill as being a purchase from that store.  As long as you don't go overboard and spend thousands at once at a since location, they shouldn't notice.

[chesebert]

Actually for an MMM crowd there are a lot of spendypants going on if you can spend $4k on a credit card in three months.....I mean there are a lot of things you can't pay for with a credit card.  Guess worst case is I pay my property taxes and pay the $60 convenience fee if I am up against not meeting the spend.

It's called manufactured spending.

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

I have already met my 4K spending (including $300 travel, which had already been credited) and I had it for no more than 2 weeks... Patiently waiting for my 100k points.

$4k in two weeks....you must have timed it perfectly or have a lot of monthly spending.  If you don't mind, how did you hit it in that time/what you purchase?

Rental needed a bunch of things done...
Prepaid a year of internet
Bought plane tickets for parents - reimbursed
Booked hotel for upcoming trip

[tooqk4u22]

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Would you pay $70 to get about $1200 in benefit?

If have to, but if I can avoid it all the better.

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Everyone is different. Some people have bigger families and higher budgets. Some people have work expenses they can put on a card and get reimbursed for. Some have charitable donations they put on a card. Some people live in HCOL areas and have naturally higher spend. Some people can pre-pay certain expenses for months in advance.

Plus I don't think there's any way they can actually exclude all gift cards. If I go to the grocery store and get a $200 gift card with my groceries, how would they know? If I walk into CVS and buy a $50 gift card along with my medication, how would they know?

I don't know how they would know, I would think that the coding would show up - its not that hard really.  But if things like give cards for normal expenses then yeah I would have no problem. 

And I get people have different spend levels.....I have had months that are very high and very low, the high ones are usually related to payment of home improvements, insurance, or kids activities....the problem is that those are behind me right now and I am in my seasonally low part of my spending cycle.  Guess I just have to get ahead of xmas shopping.  I am sure I am over thinking it. 

[ender]

Also, not sure if you realize this, but the $4k spend can be ANY spend for the massive $1,000 point bonus.

To get the $300/calendar reimbursement, you need to have $300 worth of spending in a calendar year code as "travel."

[johnny847]

But if purchases of gift cards are excluded then how is this accomplished other than paying processing fees for things like property taxes.

Everyone is different. Some people have bigger families and higher budgets. Some people have work expenses they can put on a card and get reimbursed for. Some have charitable donations they put on a card. Some people live in HCOL areas and have naturally higher spend. Some people can pre-pay certain expenses for months in advance.

Plus I don't think there's any way they can actually exclude all gift cards. If I go to the grocery store and get a $200 gift card with my groceries, how would they know? If I walk into CVS and buy a $50 gift card along with my medication, how would they know?

All the credit cards say they won't allow gift cards to count, but they show up on your bill as being a purchase from that store.  As long as you don't go overboard and spend thousands at once at a since location, they shouldn't notice.

Precisely. Manufacture spend away!

[DTaggart]

Well that was easy, I hit my $4k on Tuesday... dog has been at the emergency vet hospital for 5 days :'( I should have ordered one for hubby too.

[honeybbq]

Actually for an MMM crowd there are a lot of spendypants going on if you can spend $4k on a credit card in three months.....I mean there are a lot of things you can't pay for with a credit card.  Guess worst case is I pay my property taxes and pay the $60 convenience fee if I am up against not meeting the spend.

It's called manufactured spending.

I prepaid my house and car insurance on mine. *shrug* It's not that hard to do for me.

[Jet9]

I'll be stocking up on household items (grains and legumes, flour and pasta, nuts and dates, wine, and a few emergency canned items/frozen meals for days I don't want to cook, oil and vinegar, cat food and litter, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, household items like candles and batteries and lightbulbs, cleaning supplies, etc - anything that won't go bad over a few months and I know I can use in rotation fairly quickly. Ideally I'll catch these items on sale. Gas, medical expenses, a few birthday, Thanksgiving and xmas presents, a short trip to visit family, a few new items of clothing I've been needing, Global Entry application....That should just about cover it. If it gets down to the wire and I haven't met the spend with planned/natural expenses, I'll add gift cards for grocery stores where I'll shop anyway or buy airline gift cards. Of course after this spend I won't need much else, so I won't be able to start another right away. Worst case scenario I may pay the first installment of property taxes with the card at a fee.

[TomTX]

~$1,500 in expected travel for work
~$300 in utilities
~$1,700 for annual car + house insurance
~$600 in groceries
~$300 for annual life insurance
~$4,800 for annual property tax

Hmm... Need my wife to get one. That's without even using Plastiq for the mortgage.

[Flying Penguin]

So I applied for and was approved for the card on 9/5. They expressed the card over (yay!). I sent a secure message asking them to confirm the sign up offer and when my 3 month mark would be. Their response was that I have until December 29!(?) That's more than 3 months away.

Copy and pasted:

I can confirm that you will earn 100,000 bonus points
after you spend $4,000.00 on purchases in the first 3
months from opening the account. The last date to meet the
spend is on December 29, 2016.