[Expired] Discounted Alaska and Southwest Travel Gift Cards for the Holidays

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available.

We’re in the midst of the holiday season, which means there are sales galore as various companies vie for your business. Happily, among the heaps of discounted electronics and clothing, we’re seeing some pretty awesome travel discounts. This isn’t unexpected; these types of sales come around every year, but if you’re looking to travel in 2024, it might be a good time to stock up.

Save 10% to 14% on Gift Cards for Flights

Alaska Airlines — Save 10%

Purchase a $500 Alaska Airlines gift card at Costco for $449.99.

• Must be a member to purchase
• Available via Costco.com
• E-gift card; delivery usually by the next business day
• Can be redeemed online
• Limit of 4

Southwest Airlines — Save 14%

Purchase a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card at Costco for $429.99 through November 27 (or while supplies last).

• Must be a member to purchase
• Available via Costco.com
• E-gift card; delivery usually within an hour
• Can be redeemed online, via the phone, or in-person
• Limit of 5
• Valid only for Southwest Airlines flights; does not include bag fees, EarlyBird Check-In, etc.

Is It Worth It?

Here at Upgraded Points, we tend to focus on — as would seem obvious — using your points. However, there are inevitably situations in which you’ll use cash to pay for flights. Rigid travel dates and chasing elite status are some obvious examples, which means it may make sense for you to buy these gift cards. Before purchasing any of these cards, however, you’ll want to check the limitations of each card.

If you already have travel plans and airfare in mind for these cards, this is a decent way to get a discount on your flights.

Which Credit Card To Purchase Your Gift Card With

Consider the credit cards with which you decide to purchase your gift cards. Gift cards purchased through Costco should code as a warehouse purchase. Here are some excellent options for cards to use with your Costco purchases:

• Chase Freedom Flex℠ — Earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (including warehouse clubs this quarter)
• Capital One Venture Rewards Card — Earn 2x miles on all purchases
• Citi^® Double Cash Card — Earn 2% cash-back on all purchases; 1% when you purchase and another 1% when you pay your statement

Final Thoughts

If you’re already planning on buying airfare with Alaska or Southwest, purchasing one of these gift cards can be a good option for you. After all, it’s not often that you see travel companies handing out 10%+ discounts. Before you do so, however, be aware that these cards come with restrictions and cannot be used for all types of purchases. You’ll also want to make sure that when purchasing these cards you’re doing so with a credit card that’ll maximize your bonus points.