A note about this first post: I'm happy to update it when the story changes. But, as I'm in the six month quiet period after my recent deposit, I'm not paying close attention here. So if there is a material change,
please PM me with the details so that I can keep this first post current.
UPDATE - 4/15/2013
Here's a new offer that was posted in the bottom of this thread thanks to
onthego15:
https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offer...on_casha.shtml
This is a money bonus for net deposits. This includes IRAs and funding must remain for nine months this time. Same rolling 12 month period. Read the terms - they seem to be getting longer and more specific.
At the lowest total, this represents a .4% bonus (I think that's the best available percentage-wise) and tops out at .25%. Neither is as compelling as the mileage, to me. But since the totals can go higher, this may make sense for HNWIs.
UPDATE - 7/3/2012
Based on the last several pages of posts in this thread, I think it's pretty safe to conclude that double-dipping is dead. The wording is that you are only eligible for one promotion (miles/points/gift cards) in each 12 month rolling period, and Fidelity is generally sticking to those terms.
On the question of cycling money, I do think there is advance scrutiny on this point, and I don't recommend trying to cycle. Of course, this is a big issue, and there is a big payoff for those without $100,000 to park. So you can take your chances. But I do think Fidelity has put an end to the cycling situation.
My advice is: Choose a promo and register for it. Park as much cash and securities there as you can, trying to reach the $100,000 value level. Get your miles and leave the deposits for a while. Note the date you receive the reward, and set a reminder in your calendar for a year from that date. Assuming the rules are the same in a year, do another round.
UPDATE - 5/3/2012
Unfortunately, it looks like the ability to cycle money through the account and have the cumulative deposit total count toward a threshold, is over. That's what the posts are suggesting. So you should plan to make the deposits with no withdrawals, and then expect to leave the money/securities there for a still-undetermined period of time.
UPDATE - 4/25/2012
Still evolving. See pgary's update here:
Fidelity Bonus offers for airline miles & hotel points ONLY
Essentially, there's a 12 month window where you are eligible for any one offer (includes miles or gift cards). But this is according to a strict reading of the terms, and there's some evidence that you may be able to double-dip sooner. It's all still new, and we're all still gathering data points. So if you have a double-dip, successful or not, please post with dates.
UPDATE - 4/10/2012
Pretty different scenario currently - see this post for the summary:
[Consolidated] Fidelity bonus offers for all airlines
UPDATE - 7/21/2011
I've basically re-written this post to reflect the current status of offers from Fidelity.
There are two types of offers at the moment: Offers for new customers only (the definition of "new customer" is a bit tricky and there is lots of info about that in this thread) and offers for existing customers adding new funds. Much has been written in this thread about ways to get multiple bonuses. I'll stay out of that in this post and just give the links to the current offers:
New Customers:
AA:
https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offer...shtml?MSC=AA01
United:
https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offer...shtml?MSC=UA01
New or Existing Customers:
Delta:
https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offer...on_delta.shtml
American Express Membership Rewards:
https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offer...nexpress.shtml
All are for 50,000 points/miles. Clearly, it pays to be careful where you use your "new" status if you have no Fidelity account.
In the year since I originally posted, it seems that the Delta and now the Amex MR offers have become available to
existing account holders. That means you can actually get a few of these deals, if you do it carefully.
The best info that summarizes the steps is
HikerT's post here:
[Consolidated] Fidelity bonus offers for all airlines
Currently, the Amex MR info is still in flux.
NOTES 12/31/11:
I believe the Amex MR is fully over.
I have started a TD Ameritrade thread to keep that related, but different, discussion out of this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...us-thread.html
NOTE 3/5/12:
As I don't pay a ton of attention to this thread at this point, please send me a PM if there's a significant reason to update this initial post.
