FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Tempted by Bonus Miles? Do the Math...WSJ Article 8/19
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 5:24 pm
  #46  
balderdash
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P, AA Gold, SPG Gold, FPC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 113
Originally Posted by ExitRowAisle
2. When considering whether or not to take advantage of the BankDirect AA deal, one should not compare the foregone return of a similar investment, but instead, the correct comparison is to what one could "reasonably expect" to achieve in the stock market.
I think it's more accurate to consider where your money would be if it wasn't in BankDirect. If it would be in the stockmarket, then yes you should compare against that. But if you have decided your money wouldn't be in that (either because you are planning to buy a house soon, or already have say 90% of your assets in the market and want to hold some risk-free money), then compare against a CD or money market or whatever else you would be putting that money towards.
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