Originally Posted by
MDtR-Chicago
It's a two tier offer... 30k points from $5k spend, then 20k points from a total of $20k spend ($15k more spend)...
$5k yields 10k points plus 30k bonus = ~$440 ($440/5k = 8.8%)
Then $15k spend yields 30k points plus 20k bonus = ~$550 ($550/15k = 3.7%)
Right? Even at 3.7% on the second tier, it's still enough to make MS worthwhile if you have the capacity for it.
that's also a good way of looking at it.
In either case, I'm will make the effort to do MS on this card as my travel is now be constrained by cash outlays that are necessary to finish award bookings. For a recent award booking Mexico - USA - Japan, I spent $160 each on taxes.. All those taxes are now going on this card.
Depending on personal circumstances, others may find more value in getting more sign up bonuses.