I joined recently too and was also confused. I called their help desk and was told to clear the signup bonus first then buy the $10 bonus. That's what I did. Also, for the $10 bonus you pay 500 points (that you have earned at the time of purchase), then you need to earn another 50 points to actually get the $10. So the total cost is 550 points which values the bonus points at about 1.81 cents each (in the $500 plan the points are valued at 1.85 cents each). Also, once you buy a plan there is a deadline when it expires. I haven't figured out yet how that works. Anyway, I found calling the help desk helpful - even though I wasn't always sure the swedish (?) girl on the other end understood everything I was asking. Good luck. Let me know if you learn anything different.