Welcome Bonus: Check the Payment Gap
Test a planned purchase before moving it.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Moving a planned purchase to meet a welcome bonus can create a payment gap.
Test one fictional offer
Fictional U.S. consumer credit-card offer: $200 bonus for $3,000 eligible purchases. $2,800 in eligible purchases has posted and is funded. No other balances or charges. If eligible and posted before the deadline, a planned $200 purchase reaches $3,000 without extra spending.
Only $100 remains for that purchase by payment due date after essentials and the $2,800. Full payment needs $100 more. The bonus is not assumed received. Leave it until after the offer deadline, and the threshold remains $200 short.
Check the conditions
Chase explains that offer eligibility, qualifying purchases and deadlines vary. Confirm terms, eligible posting and reward timing. If earlier payment disrupts essentials, reconsider timing. This example is not a recommendation to spend.
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