How to tell if a points redemption is good value (with calculator)

Last checked: 30 October 2026.

The "value" of a point isn't fixed. It's whatever you'd have paid in cash for the same thing, minus any cash you still pay, divided by the points you use. This guide shows you how to work it out and what to compare the answer against.

The formula

Value per point (pence) = (cash price − cash you still pay with points) × 100 ÷ points used

• Cash price is what you would actually pay for the same thing today: same flight, same dates, same cabin, same luggage allowance, same refund rules.
• Cash you still pay means taxes, fees and carrier charges, or the cash part of a "points plus cash" booking.
• Points used is the total points or miles you spend.

Adjust for what you give up

A cash booking can earn points or tier credits. A reward booking usually earns fewer or none. For a fairer number, add whatever the cash booking would have earned you to the reward's "cost". The calculator has an optional box for this.

What to compare against: the floor

Most schemes have at least one fixed-value way to spend points, and that sets a floor. If your redemption beats the floor by a good margin, it's probably decent. If it's below the floor, you'd be better off using the fixed option.

Schemes without a published fixed value (Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Flying Blue, Amex Membership Rewards) are left blank here on purpose. For those, use the calculator and compare the result with the floor of whatever you could transfer the points to.

A worked example (illustrative numbers)

The cash price below is made up for illustration. The Avios and fee figures are BA's published "from" prices, correct as of May 2026.

• A return economy Reward Flight to New York is advertised from 55,000 Avios + £150.
• Suppose the same flight costs £600 in cash (a hypothetical price).
• Value = (£600 − £150) × 100 ÷ 55,000 = 0.82p per Avios.

That beats the 0.5p Avios floor. Now suppose the cash fare were only £400:

• Value = (£400 − £150) × 100 ÷ 55,000 = 0.45p per Avios.

That's below the floor. In that case, paying cash and keeping your Avios could be the better choice.

Converting points first? Do the conversion maths

If you have to transfer points before you can use them, take the transfer ratio into account:

Value per original point = value per converted point × converted points received ÷ original points sent

For example, Nectar to Avios converts 400 Nectar points to 250 Avios, so a Nectar point becomes 0.625 Avios. You give up 0.5p of Sainsbury's spending for each Nectar point. The Avios therefore need to be worth at least 0.5 ÷ 0.625 = 0.8p each for the swap to pay off.

Checklist before you redeem

1. Is the cash price for exactly the same thing? Check the bags, seats, flexibility and dates.

2. Have you included all the cash you'll still pay? On partner airlines the fees vary.

3. Will you lose earnings or status credits by not paying cash?

4. Are the points about to expire? A below-floor use beats losing them altogether. See our expiry guide.

5. Can you change or cancel, and at what cost? For example, Avios.com says changes up to 24 hours before departure cost £35, plus £15 by phone. Virgin Atlantic charges £70 on UK-originating reward bookings.

6. Would you have paid for this at all? Points spent on something you'd never buy aren't "saving" you its cash price.

The calculator

Open points-value-calculator.html. It's a single-file calculator that works offline and doesn't send any data anywhere. You enter:

• Scheme (optional). This fills in the floor from the table above.
• Cash price (£)
• Cash you'd still pay with points (£)
• Points used
• Optional: the value of points you'd earn on a cash booking (£)
• Optional conversion: points sent and points received, if you're transferring first

It shows:

• pence per point
• the equivalent per original point, if you're converting
• a verdict against the floor: below floor, around floor (within ±10%) or above floor

The verdict is only a rule of thumb, not advice.

Floors were checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Schemes change their charts, so re-check before you rely on them.