A 100,000 point sign-up bonus isn’t rare for the American Express Platinum Card. In fact, there have been bonuses out there for up to 250,000 Membership Rewards points after a total of $55,000 worth of spending over six months. A few months ago, a bunch of people got in on the 100,000 – 150,000 point Amex card offer, completing $3,000 – $10,000 worth of spending requirements over three months to bag the prize. Then Amex started freezing accounts and rescinding points that had already been issued. People targeted for these clawbacks seem to be those who did one or more of the following:
- Used targeted links
- Had some variation of the Platinum cards before (i.e. the Amex Platinum Mercedes-Benz),
- Met the spending requirements through manufactured spending – specifically, buying gift cards.
- Closed the account within 30 days to get the annual fee refunded.
Needless to say, people tried to fight the clawbacks, though so far they’ve been unsuccessful.
If you’re more upset about not getting in on a 100,000+ point sign-up bonus than the fact that American Express pulled a pretty shady move here, you’re my kind of people. It sucks, but we are at the mercy of the banks and if another great sign-up bonus comes along for the Platinum Card, we’ll just have to try and meet the spending requirement without manufactured spending. That’s tough to do since most of us don’t have ‘Rockefeller’ stamped on our foreheads. So how do you meet $3,000 – $55,000 worth of spending requirements without wasting your savings or going into debt? Here are a few suggestions:
Charge Everything to the Card
I know it seems so backwards to just charge all of your expenses to a credit card to complete spending requirements, but in this case old-fashioned works. Everything from your $5 daily coffee habit to your utility bills can help you get closer in completing the spending requirement on your American Express Platinum credit card. Buying a new iPhone? Charging it to the American Express Platinum card will not only get you closer to meeting the spending requirement, but the card’s extended warranty will cover repairs in case you drop your phone or it isn’t quite as water resistant as claimed.
If you’ve got an upcoming vacation to book, the American Express Platinum is a great card for that. Amex Platinum cardholders get a slew of travel benefits, including Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance that is extended only if you charge your booking to the card.
You might even want to overpay some bills (i.e. the 6-month car insurance bill, your mobile bill, etc.), but only if you can pay off the balance at the end of the month.
Get Others to Help You Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
If you’re going for 150,000 point bonus and the accompanying $10,000 sign-up bonus (assuming it’s still around), it might be easier to meet the spending requirement by getting friends and family involved. Ask those you trust to let you pay their bills with your credit card and have them reimburse you with cash. This is a super easy way to use legitimate spending (albeit someone else’s) to earn the card sign-up bonus.
Get Into Reselling to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
My first foray into reselling was less than smooth, thanks to Ebay’s ridiculous policy where they allow people to bid on an item and then back out without consequences. Amazon is a bit better, but the fees can take a fair chunk of your profit (or increase your loss, if you’re just trying to break even). At some point I’ll return to this idea when I have an actual business that sells branded products. Until then, I still recommend reselling as a way to generate extra miles through spending that is far more legitimate/less objectionable to banks than gift card churning.
Pay Taxes to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
If a great Amex Platinum card offer comes around during tax seasons or you’re one of those early birds who gets their taxes done well in advance of the April 17 deadline, you might want to consider paying your taxes with a credit card in order to meet spending requirements. Processing fees range from 1.87 – 2.25%, but may be worth paying if they help you meet a spending requirement that results in a generous sign-up bonus that would otherwise be unattainable.
Pay Medical Expenses to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
If your insurance company allows you to pay your medical expenses and get reimbursed, this is ideal. It’s especially ideal for those who use a flexible spending account to cover medical expenses, since that works in much the same way: You pay for your medical expense with a credit card (i.e. dental exam, physical, checkup, prescriptions), submit a claim, and you receive a check for the total amount as long as you have the funds to cover this cost.
Fund a Checking Account to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
Back when Citi allowed funding checking accounts with credit cards, a lot of people made out like bandits. Not only did they earn a bonus for opening and funding the checking account, but they earned miles from their rewards credit cards as well. You can imagine how easy earning spending requirements must have been. Doctor of Credit has an extensive list of bank accounts that can be funded with a credit card, which you should browse for the best offer. American Express does impose cash advance fees on some of these bank purchases, so just make sure to pick one that’s safe.
Use Kickfurther to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
Kickfurther is great for meeting spending requirements, though I wouldn’t recommend investing large amounts of cash that you can’t risk to lose or go without for several months. That being said, if all goes well, you will not only earn miles and meet credit card spending requirements, but you’ll earn a cash profit on your investment. New members who sign up for Kickstarter with a referral link will receive a $5 credit.
Use Kiva to Meet Credit Card Spending Requirements
Microlending site Kiva has long been used as a backup option for meeting credit card spending requirements. Kiva has a 98% repayment rate, but repayment may take a while and isn’t guaranteed. In other words, don’t lend more than you can afford to pay off and part with for good.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re going to meet large spending requirements using methods other than gift card churning, it’s probably not a good idea to get it all done in one month. Depending on your stated income, spending $10,000 in one month might give the impression that you may not have met the spending requirement purely though normal credit card spending. That may sound paranoid, but none of those Amex Platinum card applicants anticipated Amex investigating purchases to the point where they were able to pull up the items being purchased, and using that as a basis for clawing back sign-up bonuses.
Have you had a credit card sign-up bonus rescinded recently? How do you plan on meeting large spending requirements going forward?
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