The process starts before even applying for a card, making sure you can afford the required spend to earn the bonus. Once you’ve found the right fit, there are a few ways to set yourself up for success.
The most surefire way to hit the threshold is to budget purchases ahead of time. Regular monthly expenses can often get you to your desired spend, which makes it easily attainable as long as you remember to swipe your card rather than reach for cash.
Spending on any large purchases or gifts can be another way to take a chunk out of your issuer’s requirements – just don’t go overboard and put yourself in a scraping-it-together situation. If you carry alternative card options, you may have to strategically spend extra with the new card to ensure you’ll eclipse the required amount.