Air Miles Value Calculator
Work out what your miles or points are worth on a specific redemption.
Updated · How we check our maths
- Value per mile
- 1.74¢
- Cash saved
- $609
- Value incl. miles you'd forgo earning
- 1.68¢
- Your benchmark
- 1.30¢
- Verdict
- Good use of miles
Quick answer
To value miles, use (cash price − taxes and fees on the award) ÷ miles × 100 to get cents per mile. A $620 flight that costs 35,000 miles plus $11.20 gives about 1.74¢ per mile. Many travellers aim for at least 1.2–1.5¢ for airline miles.
What the Air Miles Value Calculator does
Enter the cash fare, the miles needed and the fees charged on the award ticket. The calculator gives the cents-per-mile value and compares it with your benchmark. Optionally include the miles you would have earned by paying cash — they are an opportunity cost of redeeming.
Benchmarks vary by program; transferable credit-card points are usually worth more than airline miles because they can be moved to many partners.
The formula
¢ per mile = (cash price − award fees) ÷ miles × 100
Worked example
Business-class fare $3,400, award 70,000 miles + $56 fees → (3,400 − 56) ÷ 70,000 × 100 = 4.78¢ per mile.
How to use the Air Miles Value Calculator
- Find the cash price for the same flight.
- Enter the miles and the fees on the award booking.
- Compare the result with your benchmark value.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good value for airline miles?
Roughly 1.2–1.5¢ per mile is a common benchmark for most US airline programs; premium cabin redemptions often reach 3–6¢.
Should I count the miles I'd earn on a paid ticket?
Yes, if you want a precise comparison — those are miles you give up by redeeming.
Are credit card points worth more?
Often, because transferable points can be sent to several airline and hotel partners.
Results are estimates for planning and learning. Check important figures with a qualified professional. How we build and check our calculators.