best upgrade path to snow leopard compatibility & eligibility question

[Andi]

Hi there,

I'm currently running a profire 2626 and PT MP 7.4 on OSX 10.5
Unfortunately it doesn't see a lot of use due to time constraints, but I'd like to keep my system up to date.
At least update my OS to Snow Leopard, which would mean I need a PT Upgrade, too.

Since I'm not recording professionally right now, I'd be fine with the MP-limits, so...
What's the best / cheapest way to keep my system running on OSX 10.6?

Upgrade directly to MP9 (177 €)
or
Upgrade to MP8 (133 €) - would work with 10.6 and - according to the Avid Store - this would make me eligible for a free Upgrade to MP9..?

Customers are eligible to receive a free upgrade to Pro Tools MP 9 if they purchased and registered a full or upgrade version of Pro Tools M-Powered 8 on or after March 5, 2011. You’ll automatically receive an email to get your free upgrade if you qualify.

So is it actually a cheaper way to get MP9?
I guess I don't want to risk having to upgrade twice, if I don't qualify after all.