spg credited me with 10,000 pts really quickly and then the other 20000 about two weeks later (yesterday). i didn't call in our anything, just checked my account this morning and BOOM it was all there. i'd check your spg account again.
understand what you are saying about the airline miles stuff but 75000 AA miles just for getting a card and using it a couple of times is insane. it'd be enough points that if you planned in advance, you could fly two people to that cancun bball tournament in 2011. the key is just planning far enough in advance. you obviously wouldn't be able to use them just any old time.