@gdonndeliwrote: Can I book now with a credit card and then switch later to points? No. If you book a refundable fare (Business Select, Anytime, Senior, Military, Child, etc.) and make no changes to the itinerary at any point, you could cancel and then rebook using points. But the point cost multiplier for a refundable fare is very high (in addition to the high cost of the fare itself), and some fares can't be booked with points (Senior, Military, Child... etc.) so that's not really a good option. If a Wanna Get Away fare was still available you could rebook using your points for that. If you book a Wanna Get Away fare now and then cancel later to rebook using points, you'll receive travel funds good for future travel, valid for the original passenger only, that expire one year from the date of purchase (all travel must be completed by then, not just booked). Be aware that the particular fare you book at today may not still be available when you go to rebook -- you'd have to pay the then-current fare, which would likely be higher.
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