A friend of mine has given me a RA referral cert valid until Sept.2012. My Amb status expires Aug. 31, 2012.

When would be the best time to send in the RA referral cert?

I was thinking I should extend the Amb status by paying the $100 fee (letīs say in early August), wait until the kit arrives and then send in the RA referral cert thinking I would get two BOGOs. Is this correct? Are there any disadvantages to this?

Or would there be any advantage in sending in the referral cert asap? IIRC RA status would be valid for 14 months, however I have no immediate stays planned. Would there be any other advantages to this approach?

Thanks a lot!