The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that credit card welcome bonuses are straightforward: As an incentive to sign up, card providers offer bonus points or cash back. Guest columnist Barry Choi writes that the catch is you must spend a minimum amount within a specified time frame to receive the offer. The problem is that minimum spending requirement (MSR) on some cards has become increasingly high, leading some consumers to wonder if signing up for a new card is worth it. Previously, the MSRs for most credit cards were in the $1,000 to $3,000 range, with generous bonuses; some cards now have significantly higher requirements. Take the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card. You will get up to 10,000 Aeroplan points when spending $10,000 within the first 12 months. This no-fee card is aimed at students and those with a lower income, but it requires quite a bit of spending to receive the bonus. If you are on a budget, you might decide to pass on this card due to the high MSR. Credit card issuers may justify higher minimum spending requirements by citing increased customer acquisition costs. However, the true motivation lies in targeting consumers who naturally spend more. This strategy also serves to deter customer churn.