Select a program to see default valuation
Point Valuations Reference
A complete list of our current point valuations used in the calculations above. Values are presented in cents per point (cpp).
| Program | Value (¢) |
|---|---|
 | 3.73 |
 | 1.87 |
 | 2.18 |
 | 1.00 |
 | 2.56 |
 | 2.85 |
 | 2.55 |
 | 2.83 |
 | 1.34 |
 | 1.55 |
 | 2.94 |
 | 1.24 |
 | 2.16 |
 | 2.87 |
 | 3.20 |
 | 2.46 |
 | 1.52 |
 | 1.99 |
 | 3.60 |
| Program | Value (¢) |
|---|---|
 | 1.26 |
 | 0.59 |
 | 2.19 |
 | 0.68 |
 | 0.93 |
 | 0.41 |
 | 1.30 |
| Program | Value (¢) |
|---|---|
 | 1.99 |
 | 1.00 |
 | 2.05 |
 | 1.60 |
 | 2.04 |
 | 2.00 |
 | 2.29 |
 | 2.38 |
Should I Use Points or Cash?
One of the most common dilemmas in award travel is deciding whether to use your hard-earned points or simply pay cash. While hoarding points is rarely a good strategy (since point values typically deflate over time), you also don't want to waste them on a terrible redemption.
The AwardHack Points vs Cash calculator helps you mathematically determine the best choice, removing the guesswork from your booking process.
How to Value Your Points
Before you can compare points to cash, you need to know what your points are worth. Our calculator uses estimated valuations based on recent award booking data. For example, if a program's points are valued at 1.5 cents per point (cpp), then 10,000 points are worth roughly $150.
You can also set your own Custom Valuation. If you only ever use your points for first-class international flights, your personal valuation might be much higher than our average estimate.
The Math Behind the Decision
The core calculation is straightforward. You calculate the "cash equivalent" of the points required, and then add any mandatory taxes, fees, or carrier surcharges.
Cash Equivalent = (Points Required × Point Valuation) + Taxes and Fees
If the actual cash price of the ticket or hotel room is less than this Cash Equivalent, you should save your points and pay cash. If the cash price is more, you're getting a good deal and should redeem your points.
The Impact of Taxes and Carrier Surcharges
Taxes and fees can make or break a redemption. Some airline programs (like British Airways Executive Club or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club) are notorious for passing along massive carrier-imposed surcharges. You might find a business class flight to Europe for only 50,000 miles, but it comes with $800 in fees.
If the cash ticket for that same flight is $1,200, the true "cost" of using your miles is the 50,000 miles to cover just $400 in savings. That results in a terrible value of 0.8 cpp. In these cases, it often makes more sense to pay cash or look for a different routing.
When to Break the Rules
Math is important, but it isn't everything. Sometimes, subjective factors take precedence:
- Cash is King: If paying $1,500 for a flight would strain your budget, but you have 100,000 points sitting in your account, use the points! Even if it's technically a "sub-optimal" redemption mathematically, taking a free vacation is the whole point of this hobby.
- Points are Expiring: If your points are about to expire and you have no way to extend them, any redemption is better than losing them completely.
- Earning Elite Status: If you are incredibly close to earning the next tier of airline or hotel elite status, paying cash for a revenue ticket might push you over the edge, whereas award tickets often do not earn elite qualifying miles.
By using the AwardHack calculator, you'll always have the baseline math to guide you, allowing you to make an informed, confident choice.