Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
Not sure as to the first part but I can tell you this.
Most credit card bonuses with spend requirements, if you read the T&C's start the time frame the day you are approved, even before you receive the card. So I would carefully read the T&C because your time to accrue that spend may have already begun activated card or not, so it will only give you less time to meet the spend by holding off on activation.