Get 100,000 bonus miles for nothing? No way.

It appeared that the mother of all credit card bonus airline miles had hit the landing strip, but once again, the fine print froze the propellers.

According to Middle East business Web site Zawya.com, if you are approved for the Emirates Islamic Bank's Skywards Platinum Plus Card, you get 100,000 bonus sign-up miles.

With 100,000 bonus miles, I could actually afford to fly to Dubai and charge up a storm.

I recently blogged about my unsuccessful effort to snag the 60,000 sign-up bonus miles deal offered by Citi AAdvantage Gold MasterCard, as well as my desire to apply for a credit card in Dubai that would allow me to experience the shopping scene there free of charge. So, this deal by Dubai-based Emirates Islamic Bank could combine my desires for exotic travel, free miles and free shopping sprees.

"We are providing an unmatched earning of up to 100,000 bonus Skywards Miles, and we are positive that this promotion will be welcomed not only by frequent fliers, but also by holiday travelers who are looking forward to an amazing economical holiday," says the bank's General Manager of Retail Banking Faisal Aqil in a press release.

Other credit card company's 100,000 "bonus miles" campaigns seemed to pale compared to the Emirates Islamic Bank deal. You have to do something -- or many things -- to get your hands on those miles. The Northwest Airlines WorldPerks card says you can earn up to 100,000 miles by flying around and referring a friend. UK's Virgin Atlantic Airlines says you can earn 100,000 miles by flying four or more round-trips in "upper class" (the British remain loyal to the class system). Notice the word "earn." Those miles aren't being given away freely.

In my excitement over the Skywards deal, I decided to go ahead and try to apply, only to discover that I'd been duped. There is a fee -- Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 3,950 (or $1,075.49) for the 100,000-mile card. The only place the fee is mentioned is on the application.

Oh, well. Dubai and shopping will have to wait. Again.