thanks everyone for the quick responses!
so I forgot to mention that my dad has the fx7.2, in 20". i haven't been on it for very long (it's the newest so someone else always calls dibs) but it seems to fit fine, trouble is, i wouldn't know the 'right' fit if it bit me on the tuchus. i didn't notice how badly the mangled toys-r-us bike fit until i hopped on my dad's bike and realized that didn't feel the need to standup constantly.

also, it's pretty sweet riding a bike where the gears don't 'pop' and send your feet flying off the petals every time you accelerate. so... yeah, that's what i've got to compare it to. though, i guess with the bar that low, any bike I get will be great.

in regards to trying out bikes at the shop... trouble is, our local bike shop doesn't really carry hybrids, just road bikes and cruisers. plus the owner is a total jerk. the nearest place that is willing to redeem an amex voucher is a bit of a drive, not a trip i want to make more than once. i suppose the best thing to do is to try and find another shop not too far which carries a brand which I can get from amex.

as far as trying to switch the points out for cash, i'll have to check in on that. i have a feeling they limit it to gift cards for box stores. i also have a suspicion that the exchange rate is not so great. plus, the voucher method keeps me from thinking about how much i'm spending on a bike. lol. (broke college student) but if that turns out to be an option, i might be able to save some dough by getting last year's bike.