How to use this calculator
Find the award on the airline or hotel site and note two numbers: the points it wants and the cash taxes it still charges. Find the same trip priced in money. Type all three here and pick which bank the points come from.
- Cents per point is the cash you avoid (price minus taxes) divided by the points. That is the only number that matters.
- Our bar is the conservative value we assign that currency as of 2026-09. Beat it and the points are well spent.
- The portal rate is the floor. If a redemption pays less than the issuer’s own travel portal, you should not be transferring anything.
Factors that affect your results
- Fuel surcharges. Some programs (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic on certain partners) add hundreds in fees; that is why the taxes field exists.
- The cash price you would really pay. Compare against the fare you would actually book, not the most expensive refundable one.
- Opportunity cost. A 1.3¢ redemption is fine if you have 800,000 points. It is a mistake if those are the only points you have for a business-class trip next year.
- Transfer bonuses. An active 30% bonus lowers the points you need by almost a quarter — enter the post-bonus number.
What to consider next
If the verdict is cash, the points are waiting for a better trip. The Travel Goal Planner turns a destination into a points target, the transfer path, and a card order to get there. If the verdict is points, confirm the seats or rooms are actually available before you transfer — transfers are one-way.