For those who would like to get MR points (not MR Options points) without paying the Green or Gold annual fees and then enrolling for an additional $40/yr. you can always apply for the Optima Platinum (no annual fee) and then enroll for $40/yr. I got this info. in a letter from Amex when I reinstated my Optima Platinum account. I think this account wasn't even eligible for Membership Rewards just one year ago.
I think you can pay for Blue admission to the full scale Membership Rewards, as well. They tried to get me to do that when I opened the account.
