“I Don’t Spend Enough to Hit the Minimum Spend” — Why That Might Not Be True

Lacee Dackiewicz
Nov 4, 2025
3 min read

One of the most common things I hear when I talk about earning travel rewards is:

“I’d love to get into points, but I don’t spend enough to meet the minimum spend.”

And honestly? That’s a valid concern. So before we go any further, let’s make one thing VERY clear:

🚫 You should never spend extra money just to earn points.

If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. No flight, no hotel, no bonus is worth debt or financial stress. Full stop.

But… here’s the part most people don’t realize:

You probably already spend more than you think — just not in one place.

Groceries, gas, phone bill, car insurance, daycare, Amazon orders, medical bills, streaming services, shopping, gifts…These are all things that can go on a rewards card you’re already paying for anyway.

Most people who say “I don’t spend enough” are picturing luxury travelers who book $20k vacations and blow through minimum spend in a weekend.That’s not real life for most of us — and it doesn’t have to be.

So What Is the Minimum Spend, Really?

Most welcome bonuses require something like:

$1,000 in 3 months
$3,000 in 90 days
$4,000 in 6 months
$6,000 in 3 months (higher but not impossible if timed right)

If you break those down, here’s what they actually look like:

Bonus Requirement	Monthly Spend Needed
$1,000 in 3 months	~$333/month
$3,000 in 3 months	~$1,000/month
$4,000 in 6 months	~$666/month
$6,000 in 3 months	~$2,000/month

When you spread it out like that, you may realize you already spend close to this — you’ve just never tracked it.

Everyday Expenses That Count Toward Minimum Spend

Here’s a list of REAL LIFE expenses that can go on a credit card:

✅ Groceries

✅ Gas or EV charging

✅ Utilities (many accept cards, some with small fees — still worth it sometimes)

✅ Cell phone bill

✅ Internet bill

✅ Car or renter’s insurance

✅ Streaming services

✅ Monthly subscriptions (gym, apps, etc.)

✅ Back-to-school shopping

✅ Vet bills

✅ Car repairs

✅ Medical bills or dental work (even if you get reimbursed through an FSA or HSA)

✅ Seasonal shopping

✅ Travel you were going to book anyway

✅ Taxes (yes, you can pay them with a card)

And here’s the fun part: You don’t have to be a “big spender” to qualify for bonuses if you’re intentional.

💡 Smart Ways People Hit Minimum Spend Without Overspending

Here are real strategies people (including myself) use:

Put all household bills on the new card for 3 months
Time a card application before big seasonal expenses
Offer to put group expenses on your card (friends pay you back on Venmo/Zelle)
Pay insurance premiums in full instead of monthly
Charge medical or dental bills — (You can request reimbursement from FSA/HSA after you've paid by credit card)
Prepay utilities or daycare if allowed
Buy gift cards for places you shop year-round (Costco, Target, Amazon, gas stations)

None of these require extra spending — just shifting spending you already do.

“But I Don’t Want Fancy First Class Flights…”

Perfect. You don’t need them. Your points will go further without them anyways. ;)

Not everyone wants a 100,000 point business class seat to London — and that’s okay.There are so many realistic redemptions that still feel like a win:

✈️ Free flight to visit family

🏨 2–3 free hotel nights for a weekend getaway

🏝️ A “free” part of a bigger trip (like flights covered, hotel paid in cash)

🎢 Destination you’d never pay full price for (hello Disney hotels)

🌆 Last-minute staycation in your city with zero guilt

Travel hacking is NOT just for luxury travelers. It’s for normal people who like not paying full price.