If you are planning to travel soon, read this post before you book your flight! If you are wondering if you should pay in cash, credit, or miles, then we will answer that for you. In this article, we will discuss the things to consider when it comes time to book that plane ticket.
See our list of the best credit card bonuses here to earn more miles.
1. Award Availability
You should really only consider using your miles when there is award availability. It is important to be flexible since it gives you a better chances on finding saver award availability. With times changing, dynamic award pricings are more common, so these saver awards might be old news soon. Award prices might change daily so be sure to check often.
2. Your Miles Balance
First check to see the flight pricing in miles, then check your rewards balance to see if you have enough. If you do not, then pay for the flight in cash and save your rewards for future flights.
3. Flight Cash Price
Check the cash price for the flight as well. You can check directly with the airlines, or through Google Flights.
4. Mile Value
After looking at the price of the flight in both cash and miles, you need to figure out how much your miles are worth if redeemed. To calculate the value of your miles, simply divide the cash price for a flight by the award price.
5. To Spend Or Not To Spend Miles
Keep in mind that not all mile currencies are equal, they vary from program to program. To determine whether or not it’s a good idea to use your miles, check out our post of our valuations of popular rewards programs.
Other Considerations
To earn elite status, you have to flying a certain number of paid miles within a year. If reaching this status is important, then you purchase a cash ticket rather than an award ticket.
If you’re going on an international flight in business or first class, then consider using your miles. You should pay the cash price for shorter, domestic trips to save your miles for those longer flights.
Besides cash and miles, you could pay for your flight using fixed-value points from a credit card rewards program.
Compared to using your miles, these are some advantages:
- You’ll still earn redeemable and elite-qualifying miles.
- Award availability isn’t restricted.
Best Airline Credit Cards
If you like traveling with Delta, then the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best card for you.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. You'll earn: • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required. • $200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members can earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. • Receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. • Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. This card does come with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
If you travel with Southwest Airlines, then the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the best rewards card. You’ll earn points you can use in airline’s frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards®.
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers 30K bonus points + Companion Pass through 2/28/26 after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you'll earn 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year. You'll earn: • Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Some perks include $75 Southwest travel credit each year., receiving 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, savings of 25% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi, and more! This card carries a $149 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
The United? Explorer Card is the best United Airlines rewards card. Definitely consider joining MileagePlus, United’s loyalty program, when becoming a cardholder to receive all the benefits.
 The United Explorer Card offers 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® has a sweet introductory offer for AAdvantage bonus miles and ability to earn AAdvantage miles for spending on the card. Also enjoy the complimentary Admirals Club lounge access!
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Bottom Line
Before book your flight, take all of these considerations in this post. There is no right or wrong answer to whether you should use your miles or not, it’s quite situational. If you would like to see similar deals, check out our points and miles promotions right here on HMB!
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