It's better than 'usual' because now it's FYF across the board, whereas it was targeted FYF in the past. I liked this card, except for a few issues:
- need to spend another $2000 to get the full $300 value (as you mentioned, but no biggie)
- when I wanted to product-switch it to a no-fee card after my FYF was expiring, NBC wouldn't let me do it without another credit pull.

But, their way of getting the travel credit knocks the socks off the annoying BMO World Elite MC! So much easier to do, online and on your own, without some lame required booking website to go through. Plus if you do travel a lot, the "up to $250" savvy traveller Airport credits make up for the lower earning rates on spending, and even on the the $150 AF. The out-of-Canada medical coverage for up to 60 days is a nice perk too! One more thing, which I never got to use, is the NBC international travel lounge in YUL.

So, for the 'right' person, this is a really good card to get, not just to churn.

Someone should update this thread's wiki. An older lamer offer is listed there.