How to decide when to use cash or miles for buying airline tickets

03.11.2023 - 15:35 / thepointsguy.com

Savvy travelers earn airline miles, allowing them to afford flights that would otherwise be out of their budget. These miles can be redeemed for more comfortable seating or spur-of-the-moment trips, be it for leisure or obligation. However, not all flights are eligible for advantageous redemptions, forcing us to weigh our options and choose between using points or cash to pay for them.

Airline ticket pricing is a fascinating subject. While you may come across incredible deals like $39 one-way fares offered by ultra low-cost carriers, there is more to consider. Airlines often reduce their capacity at certain airports or even abandon them altogether. At the same time, new airlines come into the picture and introduce new routes. Consequently, airfare prices may vary depending on the airports you depart from, and previous experiences may not accurately reflect the current situation.

When cash prices are disproportionately high or low, deciding whether to use miles or cash becomes relatively straightforward. However, there are instances where this choice is more challenging. In such cases, we take several factors into account when deciding whether to pay with our favorite travel credit card, airline miles or credit card points when booking flights.

If you want to use miles, it's important to ensure there are enough award seats available at a reasonable cost. Before getting caught up in the decision between using miles or cash, make sure to check if there is award availability for your desired travel dates and destinations.

Being flexible with travel dates increases the likelihood of finding discounted award seats. However, as airlines adopt dynamic award pricing, the concept of "saver awards" may become less common. Instead, you will need to check the prices for award seats since they can vary daily.

Additionally, it's worth checking the cash price for the flight. Google Flights is a convenient tool for quickly comparing airfare prices over a period of time. Remember that while Southwest flights are visible on Google Flights, their prices will not be displayed.

Related: Your ultimate guide to searching award availability for the major airlines

After obtaining the flight prices in both cash and miles, it's essential to assess your current reality. Consider whether spending cash aligns with your budget at the moment. Do you have sufficient miles to cover the cost of the flights?

If your cash budget is limited, using miles may be the more favorable option. Conversely, if you have a shortage of miles or are saving them for a significant redemption, cash might be the better choice.

Sometimes, even if the mileage redemption appears less valuable, it can still be the right decision if you lack the necessary