Marcelo OliveiraTo find out whether using miles is worth it, calculate the real cost of the redemption: miles ÷ 1,000 × cost per thousand miles + taxes. If the result is lower than the cash price of the same ticket, use the miles; if it’s higher, pay in cash and save your miles. The calculator below does the math for you.
✈️ Miles calculator: which one is cheaper?
Enter the numbers for the same ticket under both payment methods. The math happens right here on your phone.
Fill in all four fields with numbers greater than zero.
FlipMilhas partner (advertising): the search shows the same flight in cash and in miles.
The math runs in your browser; no number is sent or stored. The tool compares the values you enter and does not look up airline prices.
How to use the miles calculator
- Cash price: search the flight and note the total with taxes, for your exact dates.
- Miles required and taxes: in the loyalty program or on the airline site, check how many miles the same flight costs and how much you pay in taxes on the redemption.
- Cost per thousand miles: enter what each thousand miles is worth to you (see below how to get that number).
- Result: the calculator shows the real cost in miles, which option is cheaper, and the maximum per-thousand value at which miles still pay off.
How do you know what your miles are worth?
The cost per thousand miles is what each batch of a thousand miles costs you, or what it would earn you. There are three ways to get there:
- You bought miles or points: divide what you paid by the quantity and multiply by a thousand. Example: $700 for 35,000 miles = $20 per thousand.
- You earned them with a credit card: use what it would cost to buy the same amount today, or what you'd get selling them.
- You want to sell: use the buy offer you get today per thousand miles on miles-selling sites.
There's no single value: it changes with the program, the promotion, and the time of year. That's why the calculator asks for your number.
Example: miles or cash on a $1,200 ticket
Illustrative numbers, just to show the math:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticket in cash | $1,200 |
| Miles required + taxes | 40,000 miles + $90 |
| Cost per thousand miles | $20 |
| Real cost in miles | 40 × $20 + $90 = $890 |
| Result | Use the miles: save $310 |
| Maximum per-thousand value that pays off | ($1,200 − $90) ÷ 40 = $27.75 |
If your miles were worth $30 per thousand, the redemption would cost $1,290, and paying cash would be cheaper.
When to use miles even without big savings?
- Miles close to expiring: using them for a small advantage beats losing them.
- High season and international flights: that's where cash prices climb the most, and redemptions tend to give you more value per mile.
- Fare rules: compare baggage, changes, and cancellations; an award ticket may have different rules from a paid one.
To buy at the right time, also check out our guide to travel Black Friday and the calendar of long holiday weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate whether using miles is worth it?
Multiply the miles required by what each thousand miles is worth to you, divide by a thousand, and add the redemption taxes. If the result is lower than the cash price of the same ticket, it's worth using the miles.
How much is a thousand miles worth?
It depends on how you got the miles. Use what you paid per thousand miles (buying them or transferring credit card points) or what you'd get selling a thousand miles today. The value changes with the program and the season, which is why the calculator lets you enter your own.
Does the calculator factor in departure taxes?
Yes. Enter the taxes charged on the miles redemption in their own field; the cash price should be the total, taxes included.
Are miles worth it for a cheap ticket?
Almost never. On cheap tickets, the value you get per mile tends to be low, and taxes weigh more heavily. Save your miles for expensive routes, like high season and international flights.
Does the calculator save my data?
No. The math runs in your own browser, and no number is sent or stored.