Originally Posted by
miles_navigator
So come 4/17, if the redemption goes above 100 RR points per $1 of airfare for that peak/holiday period then we are better off reddening WN gift cards with our RR points to pay for the ticket. Okay, I guess that does put a floor on how bad it gets.
With some considerations.
- Gift cards are shipped, not delivered electronically, and that takes time (generally about a week, sometimes less). In that time the price of your flight may have increased. (One way to avoid this might be to keep a stockpile of gift cards ready for use as needed.)
- Only $50 and $100 denominations are available, so you may need several to book an itinerary, and will be subject to Southwest's odd limits on forms of payment.
- Purchases made with gift cards aren't refundable like points transactions, if you refare/cancel/rebook you'll receive travel funds linked to passenger name and with expiration in one year from date of purchase.
- You'll pay the additional taxes and fees that don't apply to points purchases.
- There's no guarantee that WN gift cards will always be available through the More Rewards portal, and/or that the redemption rate will stay at 100 points/$1.
- But… on the upside, your purchase using a gift card will earn new points.