Points vs. Cash Calculator
Compare cash and award offers for the same trip, using your own point values.
Booking details
Enter prices per traveler in US dollars.
USD
Use the total cash price for the same booking, including taxes.
pts
The points or miles the program charges for one traveler.
USD
Include any cash you still pay when booking with points.
¢/pt
At this rate, 10,000 points are worth $150 to you.
USD
Enter the extra rewards you would earn on a paid booking, in US dollars per traveler.
Use points
Save $125 compared with paying cash.
- Cash
- $500
- $500 fare minus $0 in rewards.
- Award booking
- $375
- Lowest estimated cost
- 25,000 points at 1.50¢/pt are worth $375. Add $0 in taxes and fees.
Redemption value
After fees and forgone rewards, redeeming 25,000 points avoids $500 in cash costs. This redemption gives you 2.00¢/pt against your target of 1.50¢/pt.
Estimated trip costs
For all passengers combined. Your target is 1.5¢ per point.
| Cash | Award booking | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash paid | $500 | $0 |
| Points required | 0 | 25,000 |
| Value of points spent | $0 | $375 |
| Rewards earned | $0 | $0 |
| Net cost | $500 | $375 |
| Redemption value | — | 2.00¢/pt |
| Break-even cash fare | — | $375 |
| Maximum points at your target | — | 33,333 |
How the comparison works
Subtract award fees and the rewards from paying cash from the cash price, then divide by the points required. Multiply by 100 to get cents per point.
The break-even fare is the value of the points you spend, plus award fees and the rewards you give up. Above that fare, using points costs less.
Which cash price should I enter?
Use the fare you would actually buy for the same dates, cabin and trip length. For a round trip, compare the full round-trip price on both sides.
For a hotel, enter the price and points for the entire stay and set passengers to one.
How do I choose a target value?
Start with the value you usually get from this point currency. If a redemption gives you more than your target after fees and rewards, it beats saving those points for later.
What if the booking rules differ?
Compare baggage, change fees and cancellation terms before booking. Weigh flexibility and elite status alongside the estimated trip costs.