Beginner's guide to manufactured spending
Updated October 2026: We updated the Sapphire rules and Amex offers, and swapped out Unify FCU (it merged into CommunityAmerica) and Kroger money orders (Kroger now blocks gift cards). The Amex earning totals still use the older offers, so treat them as ballpark.
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 $3,500 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 $3,500 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 (money orders are now hit-or-miss, more on that below)
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
Apply for the Sapphire Preferred and/or Reserve online. Chase dropped its old one-Sapphire rule, so you can hold both, but each bonus is now once per lifetime. If you aren't eligible, Chase shows you a pop-up before the hard pull.
Earning Amount: $3,500 (175K Chase Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Bank account funding
Fees: None
Manufactured Spending Time: 1 hour
Earning Rate: $3,500 per hour
Open accounts with banks that allow credit card funding:
Pick the institutions with the highest current limits from the Doctor of Credit credit card funding list. Most of the limits we track are $1,000 or less now, so you'll likely need a few accounts to cover both cards.
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.
Month 2
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning Amount: $2,500 (125K Amex Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Gift Card Buyers Group / Physical Gift Card Liquidation
Fees: 0% (for Gift Card Buyers Group), 1-3% (for Physical Gift Card Liquidation, $60 - $180)
Manufactured Spending Time: 5 hours (Gift card buyers group) / 2 hours (Physical Gift Card Liquidation)
Earning Rate: $500 per hour (Gift card buyers group) / $1,160 per hour (Physical gift card liquidation)
Gift Card Buyers Group Approach
We have a whole post on Gift card Buyers Groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyers group by providing the card number. The buyers group will refund you the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice. These groups make money from selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyers groups since the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home, and don’t have risks associated with normal buyers groups, like shipping and lost packages.
For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown post on the method.
Physical Gift Card Liquidation Approach
This is a two step approach, where you will need to (1) acquire an open loop (i.e. Visa/Mastercard) gift card 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 used to suggest buying a Western Union money order at the same Kroger. That's mostly dead now: Kroger's system blocks gift cards for money orders, and only some stores or cashiers still let it through. For this play, I'd stick with the gift card buyers group approach above.
Use the same Amex application and manufactured spending approach outlined above, adjusting the spending target for this offer.
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning Amount: $2,500 (125K Amex Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Gift Card Buyers Group / Physical Gift Card Liquidation
Fees: 0% (for Gift Card Buyers Group), 1-3% (for Physical Gift Card Liquidation, $60 - $180)
Manufactured Spending Time: 5 hours (Gift card buyers group) / 2 hours (Physical Gift Card Liquidation)
Earning Rate: $500 per hour (Gift card buyers group) / $1,160 per hour (Physical gift card liquidation)
Gift Card Buyers Group Approach
We have a whole post on Gift card Buyers Groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyers group by providing the card number. The buyers group will refund you the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice. These groups make money from selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyers groups since the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home, and don’t have risks associated with normal buyers groups, like shipping and lost packages.
For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown post on the method.
Physical Gift Card Liquidation Approach
This is a two step approach, where you will need to (1) acquire an open loop (i.e. Visa/Mastercard) gift card 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 used to suggest buying a Western Union money order at the same Kroger. That's mostly dead now: Kroger's system blocks gift cards for money orders, and only some stores or cashiers still let it through. For this play, I'd stick with the gift card buyers group approach above.
Use the same Amex manufactured spending approach outlined above, adjusting the spending target for this business card offer.
Month 3
Use eligible grocery purchases to maximize the card's 4X category while working toward your spending target.
Use eligible dining purchases to maximize the card's 4X category while working toward your spending target.
Month 4
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
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning Amount: $2,500 (125K Amex Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Gift Card Buyers Group / Physical Gift Card Liquidation
Fees: 0% (for Gift Card Buyers Group), 1-3% (for Physical Gift Card Liquidation, $60 - $180)
Manufactured Spending Time: 5 hours (Gift card buyers group) / 2 hours (Physical Gift Card Liquidation)
Earning Rate: $500 per hour (Gift card buyers group) / $1,160 per hour (Physical gift card liquidation)
Gift Card Buyers Group Approach
We have a whole post on Gift card Buyers Groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyers group by providing the card number. The buyers group will refund you the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice. These groups make money from selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyers groups since the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home, and don’t have risks associated with normal buyers groups, like shipping and lost packages.
For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown post on the method.
Physical Gift Card Liquidation Approach
This is a two step approach, where you will need to (1) acquire an open loop (i.e. Visa/Mastercard) gift card 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 used to suggest buying a Western Union money order at the same Kroger. That's mostly dead now: Kroger's system blocks gift cards for money orders, and only some stores or cashiers still let it through. For this play, I'd stick with the gift card buyers group approach above.
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.
Month 6
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
Repeat the Chase Ink approach from Month 4: pick the current Ink offer that fits your spending plan, then complete its welcome-offer requirement with an appropriate manufactured spending method.
Month 8
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning Amount: $2,500 (125K Amex Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Gift Card Buyers Group / Physical Gift Card Liquidation
Fees: 0% (for Gift Card Buyers Group), 1-3% (for Physical Gift Card Liquidation, $60 - $180)
Manufactured Spending Time: 5 hours (Gift card buyers group) / 2 hours (Physical Gift Card Liquidation)
Earning Rate: $500 per hour (Gift card buyers group) / $1,160 per hour (Physical gift card liquidation)
Gift Card Buyers Group Approach
We have a whole post on Gift card Buyers Groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyers group by providing the card number. The buyers group will refund you the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice. These groups make money from selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyers groups since the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home, and don’t have risks associated with normal buyers groups, like shipping and lost packages.
For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown post on the method.
Physical Gift Card Liquidation Approach
This is a two step approach, where you will need to (1) acquire an open loop (i.e. Visa/Mastercard) gift card 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 used to suggest buying a Western Union money order at the same Kroger. That's mostly dead now: Kroger's system blocks gift cards for money orders, and only some stores or cashiers still let it through. For this play, I'd stick with the gift card buyers group approach above.
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.
Month 9
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 10
Repeat the Chase Ink approach from Month 4: pick the current Ink offer that fits your spending plan, then complete its welcome-offer requirement with an appropriate manufactured spending method.
Month 11
Search online for the current best referrals. You can also try my referral link.
Earning Amount: $2,500 (125K Amex Points @ 2 cents per point valuation)
Suggested manufactured spend method: Gift Card Buyers Group / Physical Gift Card Liquidation
Fees: 0% (for Gift Card Buyers Group), 1-3% (for Physical Gift Card Liquidation, $60 - $180)
Manufactured Spending Time: 5 hours (Gift card buyers group) / 2 hours (Physical Gift Card Liquidation)
Earning Rate: $500 per hour (Gift card buyers group) / $1,160 per hour (Physical gift card liquidation)
Gift Card Buyers Group Approach
We have a whole post on Gift card Buyers Groups here. With this method, you will buy discounted digital gift cards online with your credit card, then sell the gift card to a buyers group by providing the card number. The buyers group will refund you the full cost of your purchase to a bank account of your choice. These groups make money from selling your gift card at higher rates to other customers. We prefer gift card buyers groups since the transactions can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home, and don’t have risks associated with normal buyers groups, like shipping and lost packages.
For details on our favorite groups and how to use them, read our full breakdown post on the method.
Physical Gift Card Liquidation Approach
This is a two step approach, where you will need to (1) acquire an open loop (i.e. Visa/Mastercard) gift card 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 used to suggest buying a Western Union money order at the same Kroger. That's mostly dead now: Kroger's system blocks gift cards for money orders, and only some stores or cashiers still let it through. For this play, I'd stick with the gift card buyers group approach above.
Repeat the Amex business-card approach above, confirming your eligibility and the current offer terms before applying.
Month 12
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.