I have to do it this month too. Do you have to go to the FSDO in person before the end of the expiration month, or are you good as long as you finish the course before the expiration month?

You have to get to "the" (actually any) FSDO before your ticket expires. Remember you need to make an appointment now.

American Flyers is the way to go. Their content isn't as nice as some of the other places but it is by far the best bang for the buck! I have renewed mine 4 times so far and each time I am in and out of the local FSDO in less than 30 minutes!

I've challenged myself to see how many different FSDO's I can get to renew my CFI cents over the years while I'm traveling...

So far IAD, ORD, CLT, MDT, RIC, and GSO.

I've used Gleim every time and I've never had a problem. Great Program