Recent influx of cash bonus credit card offers

[Gone Fishing]

Seems like several more have come in the mail over the past few weeks compared to the earlier part of the year.  I guess they are trying to get people hooked over the holidays.  Has anyone else observed a seasonal nature to these promotions?

[Mother Fussbudget]

Yes, there's a VERY seasonal nature to these offers.  Of course they're intended for the spendy knuckleheads, so non-MMM'ers should steer clear. 

BUT... sometimes you can get really good offers for points if you're doing MS (managed spend) that you won't see any other time of the year.   But the best way to deal with them is to decide BEFORE the holidays which offers you'd like to see - which cards / points-systems you want to add to - and watch for only those offers.  Then when they come in, do a good internet search (at sites like frequentmiler.boardingarea.org and travelmiles101.com) to see opinions from long-time MS'ers regarding that offer as compared to previous years offers, other cards etc.

Happy Holidays!

[johnny847]

Yes, there's a VERY seasonal nature to these offers.  Of course they're intended for the spendy knuckleheads, so non-MMM'ers should steer clear. 

BUT... sometimes you can get really good offers for points if you're doing MS (managed spend) that you won't see any other time of the year.   But the best way to deal with them is to decide BEFORE the holidays which offers you'd like to see - which cards / points-systems you want to add to - and watch for only those offers.  Then when they come in, do a good internet search (at sites like frequentmiler.boardingarea.org and travelmiles101.com) to see the the long-time MS'ers think of the offer as compared to previous years offers, other cards etc.

Happy Holidays!

MS = Manufactured spend(ing), not managed spend. Managed spend sounds like oh well I have this large upcoming unavoidable expense (let's say, your car broke down) and you might as well as get a new cc to put that spending on since it'll get you some/most/all of the way to the minimum spend for a signup bonus.

MS includes activities such as buying visa gift cards with a cc, and then going to Walmart to load them onto your Amex Serve and then bill paying the cc.

[ETwagon]

I guess they are trying to get people hooked over the holidays. 

Yeah, like a meth dealer handing out free samples.