When Buying Airline Miles Is Worth It (And When It’s Not)

Buying airline miles can be tempting, especially when a promotion pops up or you’re eyeing a dream getaway. But before you whip out your credit card, it’s important to know when purchasing miles is worth it—and when it’s not.

Buying points and miles is also another strategy to use when you are first starting out in the points and miles game or when you stash is low.

This guide will help you navigate the decision-making process, showing you when buying miles makes sense, the potential pitfalls, and tips for getting the most value from your purchase.

What Are Airline Miles, and How Do You Buy Them?

Airline miles are a form of currency in loyalty programs, earned through flights, credit card spending, and promotions. You can also purchase them directly from airlines.

Typically, airlines will sell miles at 2.5 and 3.5 cents per mile. However many programs have promotions that drop this rate to about $0.015 to $0.025 per mile. These promotions are enticing, but knowing their value is key to making a smart purchase (Stay tuned for Feature posts where I will provide the latest promotions).

When Buying Airline Miles Makes Sense

1. Booking High-Value Premium Flights
One of the best times to buy miles is when redeeming them for expensive premium-class tickets. If the cost of purchasing miles is less than the cash price of a flight, it can save you a significant amount of money.

• Example: A $4,585 business-class flight could cost just 57,500 miles + $23 in taxes. If you buy miles during a promotion at 3.76 cents each, the total comes to $2,164—a savings of over $2,400!

2. Topping Off Miles for an Award Redemption
If you’re just shy of the miles needed for a reward flight, buying a small number can make sense. Airlines like Delta and American let you purchase as few as 2,000 miles to complete your account.

3. Taking Advantage of Promotions
Many airlines offer bonus miles or discounts on purchases, reducing the per-mile cost. For instance, Avianca often offers bonuses of up to 185%, significantly lowering the effective cost per mile and making high-value redemptions even more appealing.

4. Resetting Expiring Miles
If your airline miles are close to expiring, purchasing a small amount can extend their validity. However, this should be a last resort, as free options like using a shopping portal or dining program can also reset the clock.

When to Skip Buying Airline Miles

1. No Immediate Use for Miles
Buying miles without a clear plan often leads to wasted spending. Miles can lose value due to program devaluations, so only buy if you’re ready to use them.

2. Cost-Effectiveness
If the cost of purchasing miles exceeds their value in terms of redemption (typically between 1.5 to 2 cents per mile), it’s not advisable to buy them. Always compare the cost per mile with the expected value when redeemed. Do the math to check if purchasing miles is less than the cash value. If purchasing points and miles is more, then pay the cash price for the flight - hopefully with a credit card that gives you 4x or 5x on travel.

Tips for Smart Airline Mile Purchases

Calculate the Value: Compare the cash price of a flight to the total cost of purchasing miles. A few things you will need to find, the Cash Price, How many Miles needed, and the taxes and fees when booking the award flights.

• Purchase Miles: Cash Price – Taxes (from award flights) > Total price of purchasing miles

• Pay with Cash: Cash Price – Taxes (from award flights) < Total price of purchasing miles

Wait for Promotions: Only buy miles during sales or bonus events to lower the per-mile cost. This occur throughout the year and can offer amazing value when booking award flights.

Focus on High-Value Redemptions: Prioritize premium-class international flights, which often deliver the best value.

Conclusion

Buying airline miles can be a smart move, but only when done strategically. Always have a specific redemption in mind and run the numbers to ensure you’re saving money. By following these tips, you can make informed decisions and get the most out of your travel rewards.

Ready to maximize your next trip? Start planning now and use your miles wisely!

We love hearing from you! Share your travel stories, tips, or ask us burning travel questions. Ask me a question or advice on points and miles or other travel questions. Who knows, your story might be featured in our next newsletter!

[email protected]

✨ Safe Travels & Happy Landings! Thank you for flying with us on this newsletter journey. Until next time, keep your passports ready and your adventures grand!