Buying miles can turn an expensive business class fare into a much cheaper award ticket, but only when the numbers work. This calculator compares the full cost of topping up your miles, including award taxes and fees, against simply paying the cash fare for the same flight.
Want to know what miles you already have are worth in dollars? Try our United miles to dollars calculator or see how much Amex points are worth.
Miles Calculator
Buy Miles or Pay Cash?
Compare the true cost of topping up your miles against paying the cash fare for the same flight.
1Choose the program
2Enter the flight
Promo bonus and advanced options
3Your result
Enter the cash fare and the miles needed to see which option costs less.
See the full breakdown
- Miles purchased (before bonus)
- Bonus miles received
- Cost of purchased miles
- Award taxes and fees
- Value of your own miles used
- Total cost using miles
- Cash fare
- Redemption value of this award
Need miles for this trip, or have miles you won’t use? Get a written quote from The Points King, usually the same day.
Get a free quoteEach airline’s published base rate in US dollars; the 3.76 cent rate at the four US airlines includes the federal excise tax. Airlines run bonus sales often, so confirm the current price on the airline’s site before you buy.
How to use the calculator
- Pick the loyalty program. The calculator fills in that airline’s base price to buy miles; change it if you see a different price on the airline’s website.
- Enter the cash fare, the miles the award ticket costs, and the award taxes and fees.
- Add the miles you already have, so the calculator only prices the shortfall.
- If the airline is running a sale, open “Promo bonus and advanced options” and enter the bonus percentage.
When buying miles makes sense
Buying miles usually pays off on premium cabin and long haul awards, where cash fares are high and the award price stays fixed. It rarely pays off on cheap domestic economy fares, where the cash price is often lower than the cost of the miles plus fees. A useful rule: if the redemption value of the award is higher than the price you pay per mile, buying miles is worth a closer look.
Arithmetic only: the 3.76 cent price divided by one plus the bonus. The FAQ on this page notes that airlines regularly run sales with bonuses of 30% to 100%. Enter a bonus under “Promo bonus and advanced options” in the calculator; award taxes and fees are extra.
More tools: see all our miles and points calculators, including cents per mile and miles to dollars.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to buy airline miles?
Most US airlines, including American, Delta, United and Alaska, charge about 3.76 cents per mile at their standard rate once the federal excise tax is included. Many international programs are cheaper per mile, and airlines regularly run sales with bonuses of 30% to 100%, which lower the effective price considerably.
What is the break-even fare?
The break-even fare is the cash price at which buying miles and paying cash cost the same. If the real cash fare is higher than the break-even fare, buying miles is the cheaper option.
Why does the calculator ask what my own miles are worth?
Miles you already hold are not free to spend: you could use them for a different trip or sell them. Entering a value per mile shows the true cost of using them on this ticket. Leave it at zero if you would rather treat them as free.
Can I get a refund on purchased miles?
Usually not. Airlines generally treat purchased miles as non-refundable, so confirm that award seats are available on your dates before you buy.
Need miles for a specific trip, or have miles you will not use? Contact The Points King for a written quote.