trying to figure out my options with flights

[Dznypal]

yesterday when I saw the fares for our Jan trip had gone down to 99$ times arent the greatest though but there was only 2 non stops first was 7am too early for us--the next wasnt till 220pm a little to late but went with the later--
I used points for both of us--we each had enough for free one way--thinking if anything happens where we have to cancel the points go back into points

but now the return right now its 229$PP

time is pretty good 1220pm so waiting a bit on that one to see if it goes lower like the departing one did
so now I see SW is having a sale on buying points if the price would go down I would only need less them 100 points my DH on the other hand would need approx 5000 points which would cost $137

so I guess my main question is I know that if you book on points and need to cancel the points go back into the points account
is this the same if the points are from actual travel or if there bought
this whole deal too hinges on the fact if the return fkight actually comes down in price

thanks for any advice

 

[spiders]

I don’t fly Southwest often and I have never used points with them so my advice is limited here. Really, the main thing I will say is that buying points, even on sale, is rarely a good deal. Most miles are worth 1-2 cents each. I think a Southwest mile is usually valued at around 1.5 or so. If you just need 100 then that’s not a big deal but the more you need then you’ll typically spend about double buying points than what they are worth. Most airlines do have a minimum purchase amount so it would be all or nothing with you and your husband as I doubt they will allow you to purchase 100 only.

Another thing to consider is that award travel does not accrue mileage so if you’re close to earning a reward trip on your own then paying for your tickets will help you get there.

 

[Dznypal]

thanks for the reply--those are things I never thought of--in these times I just dont want to have more airline credit-

I still am waiting on filing a claim with the travel insurance with a trip we had to cancel before covid since my moms health went downhill very quickly--even though I cancelled before covid with insurance with one of the airlines changed there use of credit for another year I have to wait till next march to file the claim so in total it will take me 2 years to get a refund on our travel even with insurance--the one airline and DCL were super to work with got me the papers I needed for insurance very fast its just the one airline

which is why I was thinking of booking with points so if anything happens Ill get the points back

 

[ScubaCat]

January is too far out for the discounted prices. Hang in there a couple more months and it'll be way less.

 

[Gitelfor]

yesterday when I saw the fares for our Jan trip had gone down to 99$ times arent the greatest though but there was only 2 non stops first was 7am too early for us--the next wasnt till 220pm a little to late but went with the later--
I used points for both of us--we each had enough for free one way--thinking if anything happens where we have to cancel the points go back into points

but now the return right now its 229$PP

time is pretty good 1220pm so waiting a bit on that one to see if it goes lower like the departing one did
so now I see SW is having a sale on buying points if the price would go down I would only need less them 100 points my DH on the other hand would need approx 5000 points which would cost $137

so I guess my main question is I know that if you book on points and need to cancel the points go back into the points account
is this the same if the points are from actual travel or if there bought
this whole deal too hinges on the fact if the return fkight actually comes down in price

thanks for any advice

Instead of buying points, especially smaller quantities, try shopping online through the
Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal.

It does not cost extra, and there are lots of familiar partners. When Black Friday approaches, there usually are quite a number of bonus offers for shopping throughout the portal.

You also can sign up for Rapid Rewards Dining to earn points. Car rentals booked through the Southwest site can earn a few thousand points, per rental, as can hotel stays.

 

[DebbieB]

Points go back into your account without restrictions. I have 2 SW Visa’s, I get most of my flights on points. I watch the schedules, if the points go down, I go in and do a change and get refunded the difference.