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Real value of points

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villemiami
Frequent Contributor

Re: Real value of points

I followed your advices and did my own calculation for overseas flight with American Airlines and United. I found out that AA mile was 1.3 cents, and United was 1.1 miles.


FICO 8 scores 08/2025
EX-731
EQ-808
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Message 11 of 16
ptatohed
Senior Contributor

Re: Real value of points

All I know is my IHG points are worth about .5 - .6 cpp.  

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)
Message 12 of 16
redpat
Senior Contributor

Re: Real value of points


@FicoMike0 wrote:

Actually, I did take a quick look at the sub travel site before cashing. I only looked at hotel deals, since that's been my primary travel expense this year. It seemed peculiarly me, but they showed 24,000 points for the same room they offered for $225 cash. I saw no savings at all using points. Maybe usb connect is just a crap travel card. I only signed up for the $500 sub, lol. I liked it so much I got the shoppers card too. Usb actually allows you to use the points or cb you earn to pay the bill which includes purchases on which you earned the cb.

I'm sure other point systems, like amex and chase are worth more on travel. Then again, if some points pays for a $500 fare on united and I can book the same destination for $200 on southwest, it's not worth $500 in my value system.

 


I'd burn more miles or pay more just not to fly SW, Spirit and Frontier.

 

Currently I have some Marriot orphan points of 37k+ and I can get 1.1 cents for 2 night stay and need 112,000 for the stay so with Chase transfer bonuse of 70% to top off my Marriot points I can get 1.94 cent per UR point.

 

 

Personal Cards: Amex Delta Res | CSR | Citi AA Exec | Citi Strata Premier Business Cards: Ink+ | Amex BBP
Message 13 of 16
okurosetta
Frequent Contributor

Re: Real value of points


@villemiami wrote:

When I go to https://thepointsguy.com/guide/monthly-valuations/ , I see that an American Airlines AAdvantage mile is worth 1.7 cents, and a Wells Fargo point is 1.6 cent. But when I go to https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/points-and-miles-valuations/#card , a AA mile and a Wells Fargo point are both work 1 cent. 

So is right? Is there another web site that is more accurate than these 2 on the value of points?


There's no easy/clear answer here. I personally find The Frequent Miler to have realistic point values, which they define as Reasonable Redemption Value. They use the same criteria to evaluate each brand and tend to have lower / more conservative values.

 

But there are limitations - first and most importantly, they are looking at the middle-of-the-road redemptions, so if one is willing to take more time and be picky with their redemptions, they very well may see higher value. The values also do not include potential brand perks, like Hilton/Marriott's 5th night free with points, IHG's 4th night free with points, Delta's Takeoff 15 card benefit, etc, which increase value when applicable. And the values are based on certain cities, and one may find higher value outside of these cities.

 

As an example, my two best flight redemptions so far have been for economy out of ALB. Prices from ALB tend to be high and routes are limited, so we end up checking BDL, EWR, JFK, LGA, BOS, and even YUL for many searches, including paid and points. But once I factor in parking, gas/tolls, and potentially a hotel the night before if it's an early flight, sometimes ALB is the best value even though the prices are higher than all the others.

 

And that's the ultimate thing - it doesn't matter what a blog, YouTuber, or anybody else defines in terms of point value once one has some experience and knows what the points are worth, to them. Sure it's good to get a general sense before opening a card, but personal experiences win out in the long-term. Thankfully issuers offer large sign-up bonuses that allow us to test the waters, refining our set-ups with what personally works best for us over time.



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Message 14 of 16
swankytiger
Frequent Contributor

Re: Real value of points

i consider points value on what i can reliably and consistantly get or that base level that i can redeem.  Like for stuff like delta skymiles and united miles where if you have a cobranded card you can get 1cpp via pay with points or chase pay yourself back. Amex MR points with the CS Plat as 1.1cpp, BoA points at 1cpp, Chase UR at 1cpp.

 

If i can get more value then great, but im not disappointed if i cant.

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Message 15 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Real value of points


@swankytiger wrote:

i consider points value on what i can reliably and consistantly get or that base level that i can redeem.  Like for stuff like delta skymiles and united miles where if you have a cobranded card you can get 1cpp via pay with points or chase pay yourself back. Amex MR points with the CS Plat as 1.1cpp, BoA points at 1cpp, Chase UR at 1cpp.

 

If i can get more value then great, but im not disappointed if i cant.


Being conservative like this has its merits, but can also lead to you to incorrectly reject a card.   A lot of travel cards don't make a whole lot of sense at 1cpp (there are better cashback cards), whereas if you really can reliably get ~ 2cpp the card may be a must have.   The problem of course is knowing is you really can reliably get ~ 2cpp!

Message 16 of 16
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