earning

Manufactured Spend

Manufactured Spending

Definition

Buying gift cards or money-order equivalents with a credit card to artificially hit minimum spend requirements without natural spending. Generally discouraged in mainstream points-and-miles.

Why it matters

Was popular in the 2010s through Vanilla Reload Cards, Bluebird, and Office Depot gift card sales. Most channels are now closed and the modern advice is: don't bother. Stick to organic spend on cards.

Related terms in earning

Transfer Bonus

Limited-time promotion where a bank-points program offers extra points when transferring to a specific airline or hotel partner. Typically 20-40%.

SUB

Welcome offer when you open a new credit card and meet a minimum spend requirement (typically $3-15k in 3-6 months).

MSR

The amount you need to spend on a new card to trigger the sign-up bonus. Typically $3,000-15,000 within 3-6 months of opening.

Buy Points Sale

Periodic sales where a loyalty program lets you buy points directly at a discount. Typically 50-100% bonus on top of base purchase rate.