In our previous posts, we gained an overview of manufactured spending and how it works. Now, we're ready to implement what we've learned and start earning points! On this page, you'll find a month-by-month schedule of specific cards to open and how to generate spend on each of them.
The guide is separated into multiple difficulty levels based on the amount of spending involved. The more cards you open, the more profitable you will be! The beginner difficulty will earn you $2,400 in value, while the advanced difficulty will net you $10,400 in value. If you run into questions, revisit the earlier guides before moving on.
I suggest newcomers start with the "Beginner" level tasks and work your way up as you feel more confident. Feel free to customize the schedule as needed; nothing is set in stone!
Earning potential and difficulty levels
Beginner difficulty
Earn $2,400 by:
Opening 2 Chase cards
Intermediate difficulty
Earn $8,000 by:
Opening 2 Chase cards
Opening 2 Amex cards
Advanced difficulty
Earn $10,400 by:
Opening 2 Chase cards
Opening 2 Amex cards
Opening 8 Amex business cards
Opening 3 Chase business cards
Manufactured spending methods
As this is a beginner's manufactured spending guide, we'll only use the simplest and most beginner-friendly manufactured spending techniques on this page. As you become better acquainted with the hobby, I suggest you expand to other techniques, which will allow you to massively increase your spend volume and earn way more points. At any point, you can always refer to our manufactured spending methods list.
Beginner-friendly manufactured spending methods
We'll use the following three techniques for our guide:
Funding bank accounts using credit cards
Gift card buyer groups
Purchasing Visa gift cards at grocery stores and then liquidating them using money orders
Month-by-month schedule
Click each reward play to see our suggested methods for manufacturing spend. Remember to take your time and work your way up to higher spend volume as you become confident.
Month 1
Chase Sapphire Preferred + Reserve: 120K after $8K spend
Open the two cards above online on the same day. While Chase usually allows users to hold either the Preferred or Reserve at any one time, applying on the same day may allow you to be approved for both. This is known as the MDD.
Earning amount: $2,400 (120K Chase points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Bank account funding
Fees: None
Manufactured spending time: One hour
Earning rate: $2,400 per hour
Create accounts with two eligible credit unions. For example, Unify Federal Credit Union has a $5,000 funding limit; use one card there and another eligible institution with a similar limit for the second card.
When funding, be sure to fund the maximum allowed volume, since you earn 1 point per dollar on the transaction itself! Once your account is funded, allow the funds to sit for a few days. Then, use the funds to pay off your credit card statement.
If you've had either of these cards in the last two years, you are not eligible to sign up for it again! You must wait until two years have passed and downgrade any existing Sapphire cards to Freedom cards.
Month 2
Amex Platinum: 125K after $6K spend
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Amex Gold: 125K after $6K spend
Use the same Amex application and manufactured spending approach outlined above, adjusting the spending target for this offer.
Amex Business Platinum: 150K after $15K spend
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Amex Business Gold: 130K after $10K spend
Use the same Amex manufactured spending approach outlined above, adjusting the spending target for this business card offer.
Month 3
Amex Gold: Maximize 4X rewards on grocery spending
Use eligible grocery purchases to maximize the card's 4X category while working toward your spending target.
Amex Gold: Maximize 4X rewards on dining
Use eligible dining purchases to maximize the card's 4X category while working toward your spending target.
Month 4
Chase Ink
Choose the Chase Ink offer that best fits your spending plan, then complete its welcome-offer requirement with an appropriate manufactured spending method.
Month 5
Amex Business Platinum #2: 150K after $15K spend
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Amex Business Gold #2: 130K after $10K spend
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.
Month 6
Break month!
You've earned yourself a break. If you want to continue, I suggest maxing out any remaining categories on your cards, or to explore other reward paths that interest you.
Month 7
Chase Ink #2
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Month 8
Amex Business Platinum #3: 150K after $15K spend
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Amex Business Gold #3: 130K after $10K spend
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.
Month 9
Month 10
Chase Ink #3
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Month 11
Amex Business Platinum #4: 150K after $15K spend
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning amount: $2,500 (125K Amex points at a two-cent-per-point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spending method: Gift card buyer group or physical gift card liquidation
Fees: 0% for a gift card buyer group; 1–3% for physical gift card liquidation ($60–$180)
Manufactured spending time: Five hours for a gift card buyer group or two hours for physical gift card liquidation
Earning rate: $500 per hour with a gift card buyer group or $1,160 per hour with physical gift card liquidation
Gift card buyer group approach
We have a whole post on gift card buyer groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyer group by providing the card number. The buyer group will refund the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice.
These groups make money by selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyer groups because the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home and don't carry the risks associated with regular buyer groups, such as shipping problems and lost packages. For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown of the method.
Physical gift card liquidation approach
This is a two-step approach where you will need to (1) acquire an open-loop gift card (i.e., Visa or Mastercard) and then (2) liquidate it. I promise this is not as daunting as it may seem at first!
We have a post on the acquisition aspect, as well as several posts on liquidation. My suggestion would be to acquire gift cards at a Kroger-brand grocery store as the Visa gift cards they sell are easy to liquidate. You can use the self-checkout machines to complete your purchase. Their machines allow $1,500 in gift card purchases without requiring an attendant.
To increase our purchase volume, we typically complete multiple separate transactions, one after another, on the same machine. And remember, manufactured spending is NOT illegal, so you can honestly explain that you are just "acquiring points."
To liquidate, I suggest buying a money order with your purchased gift cards. You can even do this at the same Kroger. Just ask for a "Western Union money order." If you make a single $1,500 order, you can swipe each of the three $500 cards. This feature is known as "auto-drain."
Amex Business Gold #4: 130K after $10K spend
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.