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BookMyBusinessClass

Calculator

Miles vs cash — which wins?

Enter the numbers for your specific flight and we'll tell you whether to redeem miles or pay cash. No ads, no lead capture, just math.

Compare your options

Fill in the numbers for the flight you're considering. We'll calculate the cents-per-mile you'd effectively get on the award redemption and tell you which option wins.

What the airline charges for the ticket at retail.

What our consolidator contract costs (get a real quote for exact numbers).

Total miles to redeem for the same flight (check your airline's site).

Most programs charge taxes + fees even on award tickets (~$50-600).

Rule of thumb: 1.5-2.5¢ is good for business class. Set your personal threshold here.

Fill in the numbers and click Calculate to see which option is better for your specific trip.

How this works

  • Effective cpm= (consolidator price − award fees) / miles required × 100. That's how many cents you're extracting per mile.
  • Target cpmis your personal valuation. If the trip's effective cpm exceeds it, redeem. Otherwise, pay cash.
  • Close calls go to cash because cash tickets earn more miles, maintain status, and have more flexible cancellation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What’s a good cents-per-mile for business class?
Most airline loyalty program valuations put business class sweet spots at 1.5-2.5 cents per mile. Above 2.5¢ is exceptional (Aeroplan sweet spots, Alaska partner awards, ANA round-the-world). Below 1.2¢, cash almost always wins — especially with consolidator pricing available.
Why does cash usually win on consolidator fares?
Consolidator fares are 45-70% below retail. When the cash price is that low, the effective cents-per-mile you’d extract from a redemption drops below typical cpm valuations. The math almost always favors cash unless you have a true sweet-spot redemption.
Should I factor in miles I earn on a cash ticket?
Yes, mentally. A cash business class ticket earns 100-125% of distance flown plus elite tier credit. On a typical transatlantic flight, that’s ~8,000-12,000 miles + tier qualifying credit. Our calculator doesn’t include this because valuations vary, but factor it into your own decision — it pushes cash further ahead.
What if I’m sitting on tons of miles I’ll never use?
Then your effective cpm target should drop. If you have 300,000 Aeroplan points expiring in 6 months and no other use for them, even a 1.0¢ redemption is worth it because the alternative is zero. Lower your target cpm in the calculator to reflect that.
What about taxes and fees on award tickets?
Award tickets aren’t free — most programs charge $50-600 in taxes and carrier-imposed fees. Our calculator subtracts these from the award value before computing cpm, which is the honest way to compare.

Want a real cash quote?

If the calculator says cash wins, get a real consolidator quote — free, no obligation, 15-minute response.

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