Originally Posted by Diplomatico

Pay at least $95 prior to the first statement closing if you want the points soonest. That's the cost of the annual fee and I believe that it needs to be paid before Barclay's will give you the sign-up bonus points.

If you don't pay it prior to the first statement closing, you'll wait another month for the sign-up bonus points since the points are sent to AA when your statements close.