By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: Redeeming miles for a cheap economy flight frequently returns less than a cent per mile, the same as cashing them out, because the cash fare was already low. Miles deliver their highest value on expensive premium-cabin and peak-season tickets, so pay cash for cheap economy and save miles for where the cash price is high.
The low-value redemption
When an economy fare is cheap in cash, redeeming miles for it returns very little per mile, sometimes under a cent, because award and cash prices loosely track on low fares. You spend a scarce, high-ceiling currency to save a small amount of cash, which is a poor trade. See what points are worth.
Where miles shine
Miles deliver several cents of value on expensive tickets: long-haul business and first class, peak-season flights, and last-minute fares where the cash price is huge but the award price is fixed or modest. That gap is the entire point of collecting miles. Spending them on a 150-dollar economy hop wastes it. See best business class redemptions.
The rule of thumb
Pay cash when the fare is cheap, and use miles when the cash price is high relative to the award price, which usually means premium cabins or peak dates. Run the value: miles redeemed divided into cash saved should clear a cent, and ideally several. See when cash beats points.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use miles for economy flights?
Usually only when the cash fare is high, such as peak season or last minute. For cheap economy, paying cash and saving your miles for premium cabins or expensive dates returns far more value.
What value should I get from miles?
Aim for at least a cent per mile, and ideally several cents. Cheap economy redemptions often fall below a cent, while premium-cabin and peak-date awards can return several cents each.
When is using miles for economy worth it?
When the cash fare is unusually expensive, like peak holidays or last-minute travel, so the miles offset a high cash price. On a cheap economy fare, miles are better saved.
Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.
