Did you know that many travel rewards credit cards come with annual spending bonuses? These bonuses can often boost you to higher levels of elite status. But there is an element of art as well as science in determining whether to ramp up spend on a specific card. We’ll break it down for you here.

You can easily earn a free flight to Japan in less than a year, but you’ll have to get the right credit card. Find out which card you need and which frequent flyer program can get you there the fastest.

For most airlines, award flights cost the same from either the East or West Coast to Tokyo, Japan’s main international hub. There are a few frequent flyer programs, though, that charge notably less if you fly from the West Coast.

You don’t have to get a personal credit card that’s part of a major rewards program to get a big sign-up bonus. There are a number of co-branded airline cards and business rewards cards out there that offer 50,000 miles or more to first-time cardholders.

Whether you’re getting your first travel rewards credit card or adding a new card to your wallet, there are many things you need to consider before applying.