re: Chase Sapphire Preferred sign up bonus

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With the Sapphire, don't you have to spend so much money in the first couple months to get the points? So if I'm going on a vacation in March of next year should I wait to put the costs on there so I can redeem the points or cash back?

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First, NEVER, EVER get cash back with a travel credit card. You will lose so much value you'll cry when you find out how much you lost.

Chase Sapphire is 40,000 points if you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months you have the card if you apply online. Apparently, you may be able to score the deal with a $2,000 requirement by walking into a Chase branch and applying there.

Your strategy depends on where you are going in March, since that changes the points needed to get to certain destinations. Also, you need to determine if you will fly economy, business, or first class, as those seats have different values, etc.