I recently put $10,000 on the DL Skymiles Amex as part of my purchase of a new Blazer. I signed up for the Skymiles card mainly just to make this one purchase. The mileage award was 10K bonus for the signup, 10K for the money spent (dollar for dollar), and a one-time 50K bonus for spending $10,000 in the first six months. In other words, a $10,000 purchase = 70,000 Skymiles! Due to Delta Double Miles on certain other purchases, I've continued using it, but will probably get rid of it when I'm due to re-up the fee in a year.

Only downside to the deal: the annual fee to get this card was $85, and I don't take delivery on the 50,000 mile bonus until Aug. or Sept. 2001.

Still, it was nice to sort of feel like I will get a couple of free plane tickets along with my new car.

BTW: You cannot use the GM Mastercard to purchase a new GM car and redeem the earnings on that purchase.