Nowadays, most passengers often look for the best ways to pay for their flights and other services that they are redeeming. The airline provides various options, such as cash or Points and Miles. However, it’s better to understand which can be a better deal; you should book a flight in cash or miles or what to use while making reservations in a hotel.
In addition, you’ll be able to know almost everything about using the points or cash calculator, and when to use it. This guide will help you get a complete overview of Points and Miles vs. Cash Calculator so that you can quickly and effectively decide the best choice for you.
How To Use The Points or Cash Calculator?
There are many calculators available online that will help you calculate the points or cash for flights or other services. However, following the step-by-step guide will help you do it more efficiently:
- Firstly, open any of the calculators, such as slickdeals, etc.
- Then, click on the drop-down menu and select your rewards program.
- Now, enter the cash amount for your purchase.
- Then, fill in the amount you would like to spend through points for the same purchase.
- Additionally, enter the applicable fees or taxes, if any.
- Now, click on the “Calculate” button to check for the current values and which will be the best option for you.
However, you have to keep in mind that these calculations are truly based on estimation and may vary from the real values. If you will be getting similar cash and award values for your purchase, it’s better to choose whatever suits you the best.
Miles vs. Cash Formula: Manually Calculate The Value!
If you don’t find the right tool to calculate the value online, you can do it on your own just by using the miles vs cash formula manually. Here’s the formula and it’s variables:
- Cash = (M*R)/(D*C)
Variables:
- Cash = Cash Value
- M = Number of Miles
- R = Conversion Rate of Miles To Cash
- D = Distance or Duration Associated with the Miles
- C = Constant Factor
With the help of this formula, you can easily calculate the miles and points vs cash values without any hassle.
How To Earn More Airlines Miles?
One of the best and most convenient ways to earn more miles is to fly with any specific airline, and the airline will then credit the no. of miles in your account depending on how much amount spent on the ticket fares or the total distance flown. However, there are many different ways available through which you can earn extra miles:
- Book and fly with partner airlines.
- Spend on dining and shopping.
- And using the co-branded airline credit cards while making any purchase.
Best Time To Use Points and Miles vs. Cash!
There are various factors on which you may rely to make the decision for paying through miles or cash while making a flight reservation. It includes the value, availability, expiration, etc. Consider the below-mentioned things before making a decision:
- Conversion Value: One of the most important factors when using cash or points is the conversion value; how much are you getting by paying a specific amount? It is the value of your miles and points vs. cash, and you can check it with any of the calculators available.
- Availability: This is another important aspect, and passengers can only purchase a ticket with points and miles if there are no restrictions and complete availability from the airline’s end. Otherwise, you have to use cash for a hassle-free experience. Alternatively, if you are flexible about the dates and other trip plans, making a reservation with points could pay off.
- Balancing Cash and Points: Paying with a combination of Cash and Points can be a smart move if you don’t have a huge travel budget. If you have a lot more points saved in your account, and the airline is offering you a good value for the points.
- Points and Miles Expiry: It’s always better to use your points and miles if the expiry date is near, regardless of the value of points and miles. It might be possible that you find a much lower value at these times, but still, it’s worth it to use the miles and points before the expiration time as the value will become zero after the expiration, and you can even use a single point at that time.
- Premium Benefits: If you have enlisted for the right loyalty program, you will be getting maximum value and more benefits while opting for luxury travel and stays. You might be getting high redemption rates and additional discounts that can easily beat the cash value.
With all the benefits being said, you must be wondering whether you can use someone else’s miles when you don’t have any. While the question Can I Use Someone Else’s Airline Miles? Seems legit, you must understand the details and your airline’s policies before you proceed with any misconception in your mind.
One of the most important things that you should remember is that airline miles are just like currency, or you can call it a digital currency for any specific airline, and just like any other currency, their value shifts with time. Also, use your miles and points wisely, as the actual value of these reward points also depends on how you use them.
Points and Miles vs. Cash Calculator is an easy way to know the best value of your rewards available in your account to save huge on every single purchase while booking a flight or for other things as well. Choose it smartly, and save a hell lot of money in your pocket!
People Also Asked!
If your topmost goal is to save money, then using your miles and points over cash will be a smart move.
You can only earn miles on flights or travel credit cards. But points can be easily earned through rewards credit cards as well. Additionally, points provide you with enough flexibility and can be used for maximum travel expenses.
6,000 to 20,000 miles are enough to get a free one-way flight; however, it completely depends on the airline you booked, the type of flight, the date of the journey, or how far you are flying.
Unfortunately, the airlines don’t allow passengers to cash out the airline miles, but can be used to spend for flight reservations and other travel expenses.
In most cases, Miles and Points are worth the same, and that is 1 cent each.