Booking flights Dilemma- how late is too late?

[crazymomof4]

Little dilemma:

Flying for 1st time-- Sept to wdw
I got the Southwest card with the 50k bonus points after spending $2k during first 3 months (requirement before 50k points will be awarded). Wanted to do this asap so I can book flights as soon as the Sept flights post.
But.... also need to put $1500 on my Discover in Feb to get a $200 cashback (their 5 month promo)

So, I was going to put the balance of my mom's roof on the Southwest card to easily meet the $2k and have my 50k bonus points go to the card quickly.

JUST FOUND OUT though, that the roofer charges 3% to pay by cc. So that would be $60 to use my SW card to pay $2000 of the roof balance.
Is it worth it to get my bonus points asap!

OR

Would it be OK to wait to use the SW card for household purchases during March and get the bonus points by say, April?????? Would I risk the day/time flight we need being booked up if I wait?

Being a 1st time flyer, I don't know the ins and outs of booking flights and this is all causing me stress!
For those of you who fly often, what is your advice? TIA!

 

[hsmamato2]

short answer (IMHO) YES pay the $60- use your cards as you outlined. (P.I.F.ALL OF IT BOTH CARDS before end of month goes without saying)
net result is spend fee to get SWA cc 69.00
spend fee for roof 60.00
______
129.00 OOP extra
What you GET for that extra spend is $200 + all those flights- if each R/T costs 250.00 cash(guessing) and you have 4 people in your family...then you save 1000.00(plus whatever points you save for next time)
so..... extra spend = so you get approx.1200.00-129.00(extra)=1071.00 free/extra profit.
so yes, it's worth it. I recommend keeping excellent records.and adjust your numbers as they fit your needs.

 

[hsmamato2]

just remembered... as of March 31st, SWA points don't go quite as far....you'll have to use more to get a flight...so booking before then saves you more than waiting. FWIW try to hit your 2k asap and then wait to see your points and book.

 

[crazymomof4]

just remembered... as of March 31st, SWA points don't go quite as far....you'll have to use more to get a flight...so booking before then saves you more than waiting. FWIW try to hit your 2k asap and then wait to see your points and book.

Oh yes! thanks for reminding me about that! Very important factor! I'd forgotten!
So booking before 3/31 will save probably more than the 3% cc fee.
Thanks!

 

[crazymomof4]

How would I EVER manage to plan a wdw trip w/o Disboards

 

[wiigirl]

just remembered... as of March 31st, SWA points don't go quite as far....you'll have to use more to get a flight...so booking before then saves you more than waiting. FWIW try to hit your 2k asap and then wait to see your points and book.

 

[Lewisc]

OP needs to meet minimum spend requirements.

GENERAL ANSWER--Assuming you don't need the purchase to meet minimum spend requirements, make a bonus and aren't just short of the number of miles (points) needed.....The value of the miles (points) you'll be getting is rarely worth a 3% surcharge.

 

[crazymomof4]

OP needs to meet minimum spend requirements.

Correct. I edited to make that more clear in my OP.

 

[hsmamato2]

OP needs to meet minimum spend requirements.

GENERAL ANSWER--Assuming you don't need the purchase to meet minimum spend requirements, make a bonus and aren't just short of the number of miles (points) needed.....The value of the miles (points) you'll be getting is rarely worth a 3% surcharge.

I would say in this instance it is worth it- due to time,and she wants both bonuses....I think it's worth a surcharge to meet a goal- my point was it's worth 129.00 for airline tickets. And less hassle. and it's 129.00 for airline tickets. (obviously worth it for multiple travelers,as I do) Yes, cheaper(free) is better... but what do 4 tickets cost? and timing is everything- I wouldn't do it all the time, but I have done similiar when time was important

 

[Lewisc]

Correct. I edited to make that more clear in my OP.

It was clear when I posted. I posted for the benefit of others reading the thread.

Some carriers let you use a credit card to pay auto insurance and homeowners insurance without a surcharge.

 

[disfanforlife]

What is the Discover promotion? I haven't heard about that one. Is it different than their usualy 5% quarterly ones?

 

[crazymomof4]

What is the Discover promotion? I haven't heard about that one. Is it different than their usualy 5% quarterly ones?

I believe it's one you have to get "offered" by Discover. They send paper mail and email asking you to sign up for it. I noticed that I get the offer when I DON'T use the card for a few months.
Yes, different from the quarterly promos. These extend over 5-6 months and give a large, flat rewards bonus rather than a %. For the one I am doing now it was "Spend $1500 or more for the statement months of Oct-Feb and get $200 cashback" The $1500 is easy if I transfer our cell phone bill, cable/internet bill, etc and use it for groceries, gas and other daily spending. Once they offered me $500 cashback but I would have had to spend $3000/mo for that one. I didn't sign up.

 

[crazymomof4]

Well I managed to "scrounge up" $516 worth of bills to pay that I don't think I'll need for the Discover's $1500 (some of these don't accept Discover anyway).

So, I only have to pay $1450 (+3%= $1498.50) of mom's roof to reach my needed Southwest card spending of $2000!

Roofer will be by tomorrow or next day to pick up payment. So these charges will all post before mid-Feb and hopefully when this month's statement closes my SW Bonus Points will be awarded and I can book the flights before March 31 when the "wanna get away" devaluation will take place. So I will get the most "bang for my buck" (or in this case, "punch for my points")

Whew! Hope all the stars and planets line up for this one. I will feel MUCH better when our flights are all booked!

Thanks all!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes you could wait to rack up the $2k on the SWA to get the points. In June SWA has a yearly birthday fare sale and you can get some good fare that are good for travel from mid-Aug to mid-Dec.

I would not pay $60, that is money you can use for your trip.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Another option to accelerate spending is to purchase gift cards at you local grocery store. My store, for example, sell $500 Disney gift cards. -- Suzanne

 

[crazymomof4]

Another option to accelerate spending is to purchase gift cards at you local grocery store. My store, for example, sell $500 Disney gift cards. -- Suzanne

That is an EXCELLENT idea and one that I will tuck away to use if I ever find myself in this sitution again. Thanks!

 

[crazymomof4]

OMG So glad I went and paid the roof bill along with the others in the time frame that I did! (the roof transaction is still in "Pending" but should go thru tomorrow) Found out today that my SW card statement closes on Feb 9th! I *JUST* got those charges in under the wire!
Also found out that the flight schedule for our travel time will be posted on March 3rd. So I am keeping fingers crossed that the 50k bonus points from the promo show up sooner than the 6-8 weeks that the cust service person told me it takes. I'd like to book our flights ASAP, not only to avoid the March 31st "points devaluation" but also to avoid our preferred days/times selling out!
Sheesh-- so much to coordinate! I'm sure getting FREE flights and the time savings over driving will be all worth it, but for right now, its a lot of thinking, planning and coordinating!