OK, OK, OK, OK, Mark, we understand your question! Just kidding.

I applaud your tentative decision to go ahead and get the 712. Yes, you can extend the award, if you aren't ready to use it before it would expire. Better yet, you can redeposit the award and get your points back for $30, purchase the extra points and get a 713, if you get that extra 7K before the point structure changes.