Points vs. Cash Calculator: How to Use It

It answers one question: for this trip, is it better to pay cash or to use points? It works from your own numbers. Nothing is looked up for you, and no points currency has a built-in value.

You get four results. Redemption value is what each point buys on this booking, in cents. Break-even cash fare is the fare at which cash and points cost the same. Maximum points at your target is the most points the trip is worth paying at the value you set. Estimated trip costs puts the two options side by side for all passengers.

Enter prices per traveler in US dollars.

1. Cash Price

   Enter the total fare you would actually buy for the same dates, cabin and trip, including taxes. For a round trip, use the round-trip price on both sides.

2. Points required

   Enter the points or miles the program charges for one traveler. AwardTool search results and route pages show this number.

3. Award taxes and fees

   Enter the cash you still pay on the award. AwardTool shows it next to the points on every result.

4. Target value per point

   Enter what a point is worth to you, in cents. The field starts at 1.5; replace it with your own figure. A lower target makes points look better, a higher one makes cash look better.

5. Trip adjustments

   Set the number of passengers, and enter any rewards you would earn by paying cash, such as card points on the fare. Those count against the award.

6. Compare a second award

   Add another award in the same points currency, for example a nonstop against a connection, and the calculator ranks all three options. Copy the comparison link to share or save it.

Redemption value: take the cash price, subtract the award taxes and fees and any rewards you would earn by paying cash, divide by the points required, and multiply by 100. The answer is in cents per point.

Break-even cash fare: multiply the points by your target value, then add the award fees and the rewards you give up. If the real fare is above that figure, using points costs less. If it is below, paying cash costs less.

Maximum points at your target: take the cash price less fees and rewards, and divide by your target value. It answers the question people often ask as how many points a flight should cost.

The award prices below are single observations from AwardTool's data of November 8, 2026, one way for one passenger. The cash fares and the target of 1 cent per point are example inputs chosen for the arithmetic. They are not fares AwardTool observed and not a valuation of any currency. Put in your own.

New York to London in business class: 94,000 Virgin Points + $702.70 with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for January 5, 2027. Against an example fare of $3,200.00, the calculator shows 2.66 cents per point and a break-even fare of $1,642.70. At that target the trip would be worth up to 249,730 points.

London to New York in business class: 35,000 Virgin Points + $969.62. Fewer points, but more cash. Against an example fare of $1,250.00, the result is 0.80 cents per point and the break-even fare is $1,319.62. The fees take up most of the fare, so each point buys far less than in the first example.

Sydney to Melbourne in economy for two: 5,900 Velocity Points + $28.28 each with Velocity. Against an example fare of $120.00 each, the result is 1.55 cents per point and the break-even fare is $87.28 per traveler. Convert a fare in another currency to US dollars first.

The calculator does not know what a flight costs in points. That number comes from the loyalty program, and it differs by program, date and cabin. AwardTool's search and route pages show it, always with the cash.

One route shows the spread. For New York to London in business class, AwardTool's data of November 8, 2026 held these one-way prices in six programs. Take the row for the points you hold, enter it in the calculator with the fare you can buy, and compare.

The calculator compares price only. Award and cash tickets have different baggage, change and cancellation rules, so read both before you choose.

A cash ticket usually earns miles and status credit; an award usually does not. If that matters to you, enter its value under rewards earned by paying cash.

Confirm the award with the loyalty program before you move bank points. Most transfers cannot be reversed.