Well, I've decided to be the guinea pig on this...

I called their application number and asked if it would post as a purchase. CSR asked which cards I would use. I said citibank AAdvantage, or PPE. He then put me on hold, asked a supervisor in the funding department, and it was confirmed that if I was using any Citibank MC or Visa that they would post as a purchase. He did add (not that I asked) that Discover cards are bad and would be a cash advance. I never asked about AMEX cards or other banks. Likely we can assume that B of A cards are also safe.

Got the names of all involved, will post the results as soon as I know...