In short
- Sign-up bonuses usually need a set amount of spending within the first few months.
- Bills you already pay, like rent, can count towards it once you pay them by card.
- Only put through what you'd pay anyway, and clear the balance in full.
How sign-up bonuses work
Many UK reward cards offer a large welcome bonus, often tens of thousands of points or Avios, if you spend a set amount within a set time, usually the first three months. Targets in the low thousands of pounds are common.
For a lot of people, everyday spending alone doesn't get there in time. That's where your bills come in.
Why rent is the easiest way to get there
Rent is large, regular and something you have to pay anyway. Say your card asks for £3,000 of spending in three months and your rent is £1,200. Three months of rent comes to £3,600, enough on its own, before you count your weekly shop.
School fees and council tax work the same way. A single term of school fees can cover a whole target.
A simple plan
- Choose your card and note the spend target and the deadline.
- Read the bonus terms for what counts as qualifying spend.
- Pay your rent or other bills by card each month until you reach the target.
- Pay your card off in full by each due date.
- Keep an eye on your progress in your card provider's app.
Mistakes to avoid
- Missing the deadline. The clock usually starts when the card is opened, not when it arrives.
- Not checking eligibility. Many cards exclude you from the bonus if you've had that card, or one like it, recently.
- Applying for lots of cards at once. Each application can show on your credit file.
- Carrying a balance. Interest will cost more than the bonus is worth.
- Spending more than usual. The point is to move bills you already pay, not to spend extra.
Common questions
- Can rent count towards a credit card sign-up bonus?
- Card purchases normally count, so paying rent by card can help reach the target. Check the bonus terms.
- Is it worth getting a new card for the bonus?
- Only if you can clear the balance in full and the bonus is worth more than any annual fee.
Launching soon in the UK
Pay your next big bill by card.
Rent, school fees and council tax, paid on your card, while the person you pay gets a normal UK bank transfer. Join the waitlist and you'll be first in.
Join the waitlist