Tool 03

Buy-points evaluator

Points sales are priced to look generous. This works out the real price per point after the bonus, the all-in cost of your award, and the cash fare at which buying stops making sense.

Presets fill the list price and show the best sale seen in 2026 for comparison.
pts
The award price for your trip.
pts
USD
Before any bonus. Shown on the program's buy-points page.
%
"100% bonus" means you receive double. A "40% discount" is roughly a 67% bonus.
USD
USD
Leave 0 if you only want the cost side.
Enter all money in one currency; the labels say USD but any currency works as long as you are consistent.

Buying the points against the cash fare

All-in: the points you need to buy plus the award taxes.

Your price per point

Against this program's 2026 sales and the most you can pay for this award before cash wins.

Rules that protect you

  • Never buy at list price. Most programs run 50 to 110 percent bonuses several times a year. Full price roughly doubles your cost.
  • Find the seat first. Points post instantly in most programs, so buy only after the award shows at the final confirmation step. If it posts slowly (some take days), check whether a hold is possible.
  • Buy exactly what you need. Leftover points sit in a program that devalues every year or two.
  • Mind the caps. Annual purchase limits are per account. Family members' accounts can help, but only if the program allows transfers or pooling.