How to Buy Points and Miles (and When It Is Worth It)
When buying points pays off
Programs regularly sell points, frequently with bonuses of 50 to 100 percent that drop the effective price per point. Buying is worth it when that price is comfortably below the value you will capture on a specific award, for example buying cheap miles to complete a business-class booking that would cost thousands in cash. The key is a confirmed, high-value use. See transferable points.
The math to run
Divide the total cash cost of the points by the number you receive, including any bonus, to get your price per point, then compare it to the cents per point you will get on the award. If you are buying miles at 1.5 cents to book a redemption worth 5 cents each, that is a strong buy; if the award is worth barely more than the purchase price, skip it. Only the specific redemption justifies the purchase. See what points are worth.
The traps to avoid
Never buy points speculatively hoping to use them later, since award space, prices, and the program itself can change, leaving you with a depreciating balance you paid cash for. Watch for taxes and fees on the purchase, and confirm the award is bookable before you buy. Buying points is a tool for a known booking, not a way to stockpile. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.
Frequently asked questions
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