I Want to Earn enough Miles For 3x RT EWR - Houston, for Sukkos

[WAM]

I've never bought a ticket on points, so I have no clue what the best way to go about it is. What I'm trying to do is get enough miles to take me from EWR - HOU/IAH, roundtrip for sukkos (Sep 17/18- Sep 28/29). I see that I can get the United Explorer and get 35,000 bonus miles by spending $1000 in 3 months + adding a AU. I can also get the Sapphire Preferred and earn 40,000 bonus miles by spending $3,000 in 3 months. I can also get the  Ink Bold and earn 50,000 bonus miles by spending $5,000 in 3 months. The United Explorer and the Sapphire Preferred I could probably do, but I'm not sure that I'll be spending enough to earn the $50,000 on the Ink Bold. Assuming that's the case, how far will 36,000 UE points + 43,000 SP points take me in my quest to get to Houston? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

EDIT: I just got an email that I have 10,692 United MileagePlus set to expire on Sept 30th. I'm guessing that will help me some more?
EDIT 2:  After reading the 2nd part of this post, if I understand correctly, I would only need 60,000 United miles if I get the IB (whether or not I actually use it for buying stuff) or 45,000 BA miles?

[WhyAich]

How much is a paid tick for those dates?

[steeeveknowsbest]

why not get a southwest card, get 50k, your dates would run about 12-14k a ticket so max is 42k for three tickets plus you will get two free suitcases a person?!?

[george]

why not get a southwest card, get 50k, your dates would run about 12-14k a ticket so max is 42k for three tickets plus you will get two free suitcases a person?!?

+1 sounds like the best idea to me

[WAM]

why not get a southwest card, get 50k, your dates would run about 12-14k a ticket so max is 42k for three tickets plus you will get two free suitcases a person?!?

I think it has a $99 Annual fee, and I think the 50k offer is over

How much is a paid tick for those dates?

Right nw, I can get it for $180, but by the time I get any points, it will prob be $300+

[steeeveknowsbest]

I think it has a $99 Annual fee, and I think the 50k offer is over
Right nw, I can get it for $180, but by the time I get any points, it will prob be $300+

you'll spend that much just on baggage elsewhere.
here is a link i copied from southwest.com for 50k
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/southwest/2ffpromobox
i don't think Dan has a new one yet

[Dan]

i don't think Dan has a new one yet

Not quite yet, but definitely will soon.

[WAM]

Until now, I've been assuming that my (will be) 3 yr old is a full fare on points, and my (will be) 1 yr old is free. Is that correct? Thanks for the help guys!

[MnM1130]

if u get SW and get the points soon enough u can cancel and get ur annual fee back. i did it 3 times. but ya SW seems like the way to go.

[steeeveknowsbest]

Until now, I've been assuming that my (will be) 3 yr old is a full fare on points, and my (will be) 1 yr old is free. Is that correct? Thanks for the help guys!

yep!