Smart Bonus Strategy — Earn 33,000 points
See spend breakdown below
Minimum spend bonus
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
optimal stop30,000 pts × 1.0¢+$300Min. spend earnings3,000 pts × 1.0¢+$30
Annual benefits$250 travel credit, 10 lounge passes, no forex fees+$550
Annual fee-$599
Net first-year value+$281
Not Included in Smart Bonus Strategy
45,000 points after $20,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
Spend $17,000 in 6 months
Only 2.6% return — optimal tier earns 9.4%
45,000 pts × 1.0¢+$45025,000 points in month 14
Renewing the card unlocks this bonus — factor in whether the benefit and/or points justify paying the annual fee.
25,000 pts × 1.0¢+$250