5 Overlooked Tips to Meet Your Minimum Spend for your Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus

By the Team at ResortChasers.com

Landing a massive sign-up bonus—whether it’s 50,000 points, 100,000 miles, or a big chunk of cash back—is the ultimate win for any travel enthusiast. But the clock starts ticking the moment your new card is approved, and that required minimum spending threshold can feel like a daunting hurdle.

Don't resort to buying things you don't need! The real key is redirecting expenses you'd pay anyway. Here are five powerful, often-overlooked tips to help you organically meet your minimum spend requirement and unlock that bonus for your next resort escape.

1. 🏥 Pay Medical Expenses and Get Reimbursed (HSA/FSA)

Many people pay small medical expenses—like co-pays, dental cleanings, or prescription drugs—with a debit card or cash. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can turn these costs into eligible credit card spend and then reimburse yourself!

* The Strategy: Use your new credit card to pay for qualified medical expenses upfront. This immediate spend hits your minimum requirement.

* The Reimbursement: Once the charge posts, submit a claim to your HSA or FSA administrator with the receipt. You will then be reimbursed, and the money from your tax-advantaged account goes directly back into your checking account. You can then use that cash to pay your credit card bill in full.

* Key Detail: This only works for qualified medical expenses. You cannot use HSA/FSA funds to reimburse yourself for any finance charges or interest accrued on your credit card, so it is absolutely critical to pay your balance before the statement due date. Keep meticulous records to avoid issues with your benefits administrator or the IRS.

2. 🏛️ Pay Federal Taxes (A Necessary Evil with a Fee)

Tax season is often a time of financial dread, but if you have a large tax bill due, it can be a quick and efficient way to meet a substantial minimum spend.

* The Strategy: Use one of the IRS-approved third-party payment processors (like PayUSAtax, Pay1040, or ACI Payments, Inc.) to pay your estimated or owed federal income tax with your new credit card.

* The Fees: You must be aware that these processors charge a convenience fee (typically between 1.85% and 2.89% of the transaction amount). This fee will reduce the net value of your sign-up bonus, but for a high-value bonus (worth hundreds or thousands in travel), the trade-off may be worth it if you’re short on time.

* Key Detail: Run the numbers. Compare the cost of the fee against the value of the miles/points you will earn. For example, if the fee is 2% and your reward rate is 1.5x points per dollar, you are effectively paying 0.5% for the points. If you have a \$10,000 tax bill, a 2% fee is \$200. If your sign-up bonus is worth over \$1,000 in travel, that \$200 fee might be a bargain to secure the bonus.

3. 🏡 Charge Property Taxes and Annual Homeowners Insurance

Many major expenses only come around once or twice a year, and if you can redirect them onto your new card, you can knock out a significant portion of your spend in one go.

* The Strategy: Check with your local or county tax collector to see if they accept credit card payments for property taxes. Many jurisdictions partner with third-party vendors for this, similar to federal taxes, which will incur a processing fee.

* Home Insurance Prepayment: Call your homeowners or auto insurance provider. While you may pay monthly, many offer a discount for paying the entire 6- or 12-month premium upfront. By prepaying this large annual expense with your new card, you secure your spend and may even get a small discount on your premium.

* Key Detail: Again, assess the fee. Property tax payment fees usually range from 2% to 3%. If you pay \$3,000 in property tax with a 2.5% fee (\$75), is that cost worth securing a bonus you might otherwise miss? For insurance, the fee is often negligible or non-existent, making this a great, low-cost option.

4. 🗓️ Time Your Application Around a Major Purchase

The best way to meet a minimum spend is to align your card application with a purchase you already planned to make.

* The Strategy: Before a big life event—like booking a destination wedding, paying for a kitchen renovation, purchasing a new furniture set, or making a large deposit for a cruise or all-inclusive resort—apply for the credit card.

* The Timing: The minimum spend period usually starts on your approval date, not when you activate the card. Wait until you are literally days away from making the big expense before submitting your application.

* The Payoff: A \$5,000 home repair bill or a \$4,000 family resort booking can instantly meet a high spend requirement, making the bonus effortless and free of any extra fees.

5. 🤝 Pay for Group Expenses and Get Reimbursed

As travel experts, we know how often group payments come up—a shared Airbnb, a group dinner on a friends’ trip, or splitting a check at a nice restaurant. This is free, organic spend you can leverage!

* The Strategy: Volunteer to be the designated payer for any group expense, whether it’s dinner with friends, concert tickets for a crew, or a big group booking like a vacation rental. Put the entire amount on your new credit card.

* The Reimbursement: Have your friends or family pay you back immediately using a no-fee peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal (as a friends/family transfer). The original, large purchase counts toward your minimum spend, but the reimbursement you receive is cash that can be used to pay your card statement.

* Key Detail: Do not use the P2P apps to make the original purchase, as these typically don't count toward the minimum spend and can sometimes be coded as cash advances. Use the card directly for the vendor (Airbnb, restaurant, etc.), then receive the reimbursement from your friends' personal bank accounts or balances.

Meeting a minimum spend should never mean going into debt. By strategically applying these overlooked tips and planning your spending around existing or necessary large expenses, you can easily secure that huge sign-up bonus and be one step closer to your next dream vacation!