Use Miles Or Buy Ticket Calculator -
Deciding whether to use airline miles or pay cash for a ticket boils down to a simple calculation of the "cents per mile" (CPM) value. This metric tells you exactly how much each mile is worth for a specific trip so you can compare it against average valuations. The Miles vs. Cash Formula
To determine if your redemption is a good deal, use this standard equation: use miles or buy ticket calculator
Experts from sites like NerdWallet and The Points Guy provide monthly benchmarks. Here are typical values to use as a baseline: Airline Program Average Value (per mile) "Good" Redemption Target 1.5 – 1.7¢ Southwest Airlines (Rapid Rewards) 1.2 – 1.5¢ United Airlines (MileagePlus) 1.1 – 1.2¢ Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) 1.1 – 1.2¢ JetBlue (TrueBlue) 1.3 – 1.5¢ When to Use Miles vs. Cash What are cents-per-mile valuation? - Hyperbots Deciding whether to use airline miles or pay
: If the resulting number is higher than your airline's average mile value, it is generally better to use miles. Average Mile Valuations (2024–2026) Cash Formula To determine if your redemption is