# Points vs. Cash Calculator: How to Use It

By AwardTool | Updated 2026-11-12 | Reviewed by Tommy Durden

Canonical URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide

The points vs. cash calculator compares paying a fare with booking the same trip on points. You enter the cash price, the points, the award taxes and fees, and the value you place on a point. It returns the value this booking gives per point, the cash fare where both options cost the same, and which option costs less.

Best for: Anyone holding an award price in one hand and a cash fare in the other, and anyone asking how many points a trip is worth paying.

## At a glance

- Enter four numbers: the cash price, the points required, the award taxes and fees, and your own target value per point.
- The calculator subtracts the award fees from the cash price before dividing by the points, so high fees lower the result.
- The break-even cash fare is the value of the points you spend plus the fees. Above it, points cost less.
- AwardTool does not publish a value for any points currency. The target is yours, and the result changes with it.

[Open the calculator](https://www.awardtool.com/points-vs-cash-calculator)

## What does the calculator tell you?

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#what-it-does

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.

[Open the calculator](https://www.awardtool.com/points-vs-cash-calculator)

## How to use the calculator

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#how-to-use-it

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.

## How is the comparison worked out?

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#how-the-comparison-works

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.

## Worked examples with real award prices

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#worked-examples

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.

| Trip and observed award, one way | Example inputs | Calculator result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New York to London, business: 94,000 Virgin Points + $702.70 | $3,200.00 fare, target 1 cent per point | 2.66 cents per point; break-even fare $1,642.70; points cost less |
| London to New York, business: 35,000 Virgin Points + $969.62 | $1,250.00 fare, target 1 cent per point | 0.80 cents per point; break-even fare $1,319.62; cash costs less |
| Sydney to Melbourne, economy: 5,900 Velocity Points + $28.28 | $120.00 fare, target 1 cent per point | 1.55 cents per point; break-even fare $87.28; points cost less |

[Open the first example in the calculator](https://www.awardtool.com/points-vs-cash-calculator?points=94000&cashPrice=3200&cpp=1&fees=702.7&rewards=0&travelers=1)

[New York to London award prices](https://www.awardtool.com/award-flights/new-york-jfk-to-london-lhr)

## How many points do I need for a flight?

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#how-many-points-do-i-need

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.

| Program | Observed price, one way | Flight and date seen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alaska Atmos Rewards | 45,000 points + $25.60 | Nonstop, Dec 9, 2026; seen Nov 7, 2026 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | 57,500 miles + $13.50 | 1 stop, Dec 30, 2026; seen Nov 8, 2026 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 60,000 points + $102.51 | 1 stop, Nov 23, 2026; seen Nov 8, 2026 |
| United MileagePlus | 80,000 miles + $5.60 | Nonstop, Dec 31, 2026; seen Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 94,000 Virgin Points + $702.70 | Nonstop, Jan 5, 2027; seen Nov 7, 2026 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 125,000 miles + $5.60 | Nonstop, Dec 30, 2026; seen Nov 4, 2026 |

[Search award prices for your route](https://www.awardtool.com/flight)

[New York to London in business class](https://www.awardtool.com/award-flights/new-york-jfk-to-london-lhr/business-class)

[Which bank points transfer to each program](https://www.awardtool.com/transfer-partners)

## What the result leaves out

Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-vs-cash-calculator-guide#what-the-number-leaves-out

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.

[Points and travel tools](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-and-travel-tools)

[Award travel glossary](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/award-travel-glossary#cents-per-point)

## Common questions

### How do I calculate cents per point?

Subtract the award taxes and fees from the cash price, divide by the points required, and multiply by 100. The calculator does this for you and also subtracts any rewards you would earn by paying cash.

### What value should I enter for my points?

Your own. Use the value you usually get from that currency, or the lowest value at which you would rather keep the points. AwardTool does not publish valuations, and the calculator works with whatever you enter.

### Does the calculator work for hotels?

Yes. Enter the price and the points for the entire stay and set passengers to one.

### Does the calculator look up fares or award prices?

No. You enter both. Find the award price and its fees with AwardTool's search, and take the cash fare from the airline or a fare search.

## Compare award search tools

- [Free vs. paid award search tools](https://www.awardtool.com/compare/free-vs-paid-award-search-tools)
- [Award Search Tools vs Airline Websites](https://www.awardtool.com/compare/award-search-tools-vs-airline-websites)
- [Best Award Flight Search Tools](https://www.awardtool.com/compare/best-award-flight-search-tools)

## Before you book

Award availability and prices can change. Confirm the exact itinerary, cabin, traveler count, points, and cash total with the loyalty program before transferring points or booking. Search access and limits depend on your plan.

[See current plans](https://www.awardtool.com/pro)

## Related guides

- [How to use transfer partners, points tools, and Live Seat Map](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/points-and-travel-tools)
- [Award Travel Glossary: 46 Terms Explained](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/award-travel-glossary)
- [How to search award flights with Real-Time and Mega Search](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/real-time-and-mega-search)
- [Which AwardTool feature should you use for your trip?](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/travel-scenarios)