 TITLE: Are 100,000-Point Intro Bonus Offers Worth It? CONTENT: What to Consider Before Opening a New Card for an Intro Bonus\n-------------------------------------------------------------\nIt might be tempting to fill out an online form and hit that \"Apply\" button when there are 100,000 points potentially waiting in the wings. It's key, however, to first look at the bigger picture and think beyond the welcome offer. Be sure to consider a card's fees, spending requirements and financing terms before opening a new card with the intention of earning an intro bonus.\n*   **Can you afford the annual fee?** Credit cards with the best intro bonuses tend to be premium products that charge annual fees. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, has a $95 annual fee, while The Platinum Card® from American Express has a $695 annual fee. Before you think about opening a credit card, make sure you can afford its annual fee and that you will get enough value out of the card to justify paying the fee year after year.\n*   **How much do you need to spend to earn the bonus?** Although some rewards credit cards offer introductory bonuses just for signing up and making a single purchase (and paying the annual fee), most require you to spend a certain amount of money within a specific time frame. It's unwise to spend just for the sake of earning a bonus, so make sure you can meet its requirements without changing your spending habits and are able to pay your balances off on time and in full each month before opening any new card.\n*   **What interest rates will apply to your purchases?** Introductory 0% APR offers are available on some cards, but the types of cards that field 100,000-point welcome offers typically have a variable APR right off the bat. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card's APR is a variable 15.99% to 22.99%, for instance. If you wind up carrying a balance from month to month, you'll incur interest charges on your purchases, which can easily negate the value of any reward points you earn.\n*   **At what rate will you earn rewards?** Beyond a card's intro bonus, it's important to maximize its ongoing earnings. Many credit cards earn bonus rewards in specific categories, such as dining or gas. Look at your month-to-month expenses and pick a credit card that earns the most points on the things you typically spend money on.\n*   **How much are the points worth?** Think about how you will use your bonus points and make sure that you are getting a good value from them. If your card's intro bonus is 100,000 points, aim for around $1,000 in value. END