Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I'd do the gift card. Better yet if you have another credit card where the gift card counts toward reimbursed fees, such as FL gift cands with AmEx Plat, where they need to be under $50 and up to three can us used on one ticket.
Just be sure to apply the gift cards at the beginning of the search when you purchase the tickets.
However, Delta Gift Cards cannot be used for 72 hours after purchase, so OP risks the fare increasing.