How To Maximize Your Points Earned With A Large Expense (Like Taxes)

by joeheg

No matter if it’s planned or unplanned, no one likes being faced with a large bill. It could be something you know is coming, like your tax payment. You could also be planning some renovations that’ll cost a pretty penny. There are also unplanned expenses like car repairs or emergency medical bills. Needless to say, there are any number of these things that you’ll need to pay for. One thing you hope for is that they accept credit cards.

Hopefully, you’ll have enough money stashed away to pay these bills. You don’t want to carry a balance on your card and pay the interest charges. However, if you can put the charge on a card, you can earn a bunch of points and miles for these expenses, if you’re prepared.

Here are some of the ways you use large expenses to your advantage to maximize travel rewards.

Signup Bonuses

The best way to take advantage of a considerable expense is by using it to meet a credit card sign up bonus. This is particularly true for cards with higher spending thresholds in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 in the first three months.

Obviously, the easiest way to make this work to your advantage is with those instances where you know the expense is coming. For example, if you’re going to renovate your kitchen and need to buy all new appliances. If you sign up for a new card in advance, you could possibly meet the spending and get the signup bonus just on those purchases.

kitchen and dining area

This is a great way to pick up some extra miles you didn’t think you’d be able to earn or you could even sign up for a card you usually wouldn’t have since the requirement would be higher than you’re comfortable with.

Extra Spending Bonuses

Several cards offer an additional bonus if you spend over a certain amount on a card in a year. Here are some of the offers:

  • World of Hyatt card – One free night certificate at a Category 1-4  hotel after $15,000 spend in your cardmember year
  • British Airways Visa – Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together companion ticket good for two years
  • Aadvantage Aviator Red card – Earn $99 + tax domestic companion certificate with $20K membership year spend
  • Hilton Honors Surpass card – Free weekend night after $15,000 spend in a calendar year and Diamond elite status with $40,000 calendar year spend
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card – Earn Gold status when you spend $35,000 each year
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card –  After spending $60,000, earn your choice of Five Suite Night Awards, Mattress and Box Spring $1000 Discount from Marriott Retail Brands, or Free Night Award with a redemption value of up to 85K points
  • Delta American Express Gold card – Spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit

You Could Always Call For A Retention Offer

Say you have a card with an annual fee that’s coming due. You can call the bank and say that you’re thinking of getting rid of the card (even if you really aren’t) so you can see if there are any retention offers available. You might just get an offer for some bonus miles or an annual fee waiver if you spend a certain amount on the card.

Couldn’t hurt to try.

Maximize points for everyday spending

Maybe you didn’t know this expense was happening and you don’t have any cards where you’re meeting a minimum spending requirement or ones that give a bonus for reaching a spending threshold.

At least put the charge on a card that earns a decent return on everyday spending.

Citi Double Cash

  • The Citi Double Cash earns 2% cashback on all transactions.
  • The Fidelity Rewards Visa also earns 2% cashback.
  • The American Express Everyday Preferred earns 1.5 Membership Rewards per dollar if you make over 30 transactions per month.
  • The American Express Blue Business Plus earns 2 Membership Rewards per dollar on the first $60,000 spent on the card per year.
  • The Barclay Arrival+ earns 2x points on each dollar spent which can be redeemed to pay for travel expenses made to the card
  • The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5 Ultimate Rewards for every dollar spent on the card
  • The American Express Business Platinum card earns 1.5 Membership Rewards per dollar for purchases over $5,000

Final Thoughts

When dealing with small businesses, you’ll occasionally get told they’ll give you a discount if you pay with cash or check. This usually runs from 2-4%, which presumably is the fee they have to pay to the bank to process the transaction. Should you still pay with a card? If you’re getting a signup bonus, you bet you should. If you’re earning 50,000 points for spending $5,000 then you’re making 10 points per dollar. Even if those points are only worth 1 cent each, you’re earning 3-5x more than the extra amount you’re paying. 

If you’re using the spending to reach an extra bonus or to pass a threshold for status, the value of that status might be worth the extra money. That depends on what you’re getting and how much it’s worth to you. If you’re only earning 1.5 to 3 points per dollar, Your Mileage May Vary as to if this is a good deal. If you’re trying to build your AMEX or Chase point balances for a reward, the value of additional points will be worth more. If you’re just adding to your balance, it might not be a good deal and saving money now might be the better choice.

Whatever the reason for the large expense, there’s no reason you can’t earn the most amount of points for the transaction. Whether it’s by meeting a signup bonus, hitting a spending threshold, fulfilling a retention offer or just getting a good return for everyday spending, you should always maximize your return.

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