Meeting the minimum spend requirement on time is key to earnign credit card’s welcome offer. Credit card welcome offers are the fastest ways to earn plenty of points in Canada.
You’ll be able to redeem them for nearly free flights and hotels and save money on travel.
Here’s how to meet the minimum spend on credit cards without overspending.
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Travel more using points
Get my free beginner guide and weekly tips on credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs.
What Are Minimum Spending Requirements
Most credit cards with a welcome offer come with a minimum spend you’ll need to complete within a set time to earn the bonus.
If you understand the requirements, you can plan ahead before applying for a new welcome offer.
Minimum Spending Requirements
There are two main parts to meeting minimum spend requiremnts:
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Your minimum spend period starts from the approval date. If you activate and use your card as soon as it arrives, you’ll make the most of your time.
Best Welcome Offers
Welcome Points: Elevated 20,000
Welcome Value: $350
Annual Fee:$89
Welcome Points: Elevated 130,000
Welcome Value: $5,544
Annual Fee: $799
Welcome Points: Elevated 70,000
Welcome Value: $700
Annual Fee: $120
Welcome Points: Elevated 80,000
Welcome Value: $800
Annual Fee: $150
Welcome Points: Elevated 45,000
Welcome Value: $1,819
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
Pay for Large Projects: Meeting Minimum Spend
You can plan your new card application around big upcoming expenses to meet a minimum spend without overspending.
Simply use the card for costs like home renovations or new appliances to meet the minimum spend.
We opened an American Express Platinum Card before starting our bathroom renovation.
We earned 110,000 welcome bonus points by putting all the renovation costs on the card. That big expense turned into future travel.
Prepay Large Bills: Meeting Minimum Spend
You can prepay bills like property tax, car insurance, tuition, or home insurance. Paying ahead helps you meet your minimum spend faster without adding extra costs.
For example, paying car insurance for the year instead of monthly can cover a big part of the requirement and may even save you money on fees.
Use Bill Payment Services: Meeting Minimum Spend
You can use bill payment services, like Chexy, to pay almost any bill with a credit card. Even those that don’t usually take credit cards, or specific cards like American Express for a small fee.
You can pay things like Canadian taxes (CRA), utilities, rent, tuition, or summer camp this way. It’s an easy way to turn those bills into points that count toward your minimum spend.
Since there’s a fee involved, these services usually make most sense when you’re working towards meeting an minimum spend to earn a large welcome offer.
We used Chexy to pay tuition. That single payment was enough to meet the minimum spend on a new credit card, with only a small fee. Plus, we earned Aeroplan points with Chexy.
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
Prepay Recurring Bills: Meeting Minimum Spend
You can put recurring monthly bills like utilities, internet, phone, and streaming on your credit card.
You’ll earn points consistently while reaching your minimum spend without extra effort.
Consider Gift Cards: Meeting Minimum Spend
Gift cards and prepaid credit cards can help when you’re close to meeting your minimum spend. You’ll find them at most grocery stores.
Check your issuer’s rules to confirm the purchase will count toward your minimum spend.
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Prepaid Visa and Mastercard can help when American Express isn’t accepted.
For purchases like electronics, use your credit card directly so you keep extended warranty and purchase protection.
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Get more tips & ideas for travelling with points.
Join the AWP community to get guidance, updates, and practical tips on using points for travel.
The AWP Community
Get more tips & ideas for travelling with points.
Join the AWP community to get guidance, updates, and practical tips on using points for travel.
Add Authorized Users: Meeting Minimum Spend
You can add authorized users to help reach the minimum spend faster. Their everyday purchases, like groceries or gas, will count toward your total.
It’s a simple way to earn more points if your spouse or teen already have regular expenses on your card.
Bottom Line
Credit card welcome offers are one of the fastest ways you’ll earn plenty of points in Canada. These bonuses usually come with a minimum spend requirement.
You can meet that requirement without overspending by following the strategies in this guide. The points you earn will help you redeem for flights and hotels, saving you money on travel.
