Originally Posted by AwardBee

The 5x MR (4 additional bonus pts/$) may need to wait till your statement closes, IIRC. As for the $200 airline credit, it doesn't apply to ticket purchases, only for incidentals such as gift cards, baggage fees, etc. Most people just buy gift cards totaling $200 to cash out the credit.

If you think now you want to buy gift cards first before purchasing your flight, then you should probably cancel the booking you just made, buy the gift cards then repurchase the flights. Assuming of course the flight prices haven't gone up.