How Much Are Airline Miles Worth? (June 2026 Value Guide)
Airline miles are worth about 1.2–1.8 cents each on average, according to The Points Guy's June 2026 valuations, though premium-cabin redemptions can exceed 2 cents. In cash, sellers typically receive $10–$20 per 1,000 miles. A mile's real worth depends on the program and the award availability you can find.
What is an airline mile worth?
An airline mile is worth what you can get for it, and that splits two ways. Redemption value is what a mile is worth when you book travel — typically 1.2–1.8 cents, and 2 cents or more in premium cabins (NerdWallet). Cash value is what a buyer will pay you today, usually $10–$20 per 1,000 miles. The gap between the two is why a miles marketplace exists.
What are airline miles worth by program?
The table below pairs The Points Guy's June 2026 redemption valuations (The Points Guy) with the typical cash price sellers get per 1,000 miles on MileMarketplace. Redemption value is the ceiling; cash price is what changes hands in a sale.
| Program | Redemption value (¢/mile) | Typical cash / 1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| American AAdvantage | 1.6¢ | $13–$18 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1.4¢ | $12–$17 |
| Alaska Mileage Plan | 1.4¢ | $12–$17 |
| British Airways Avios | 1.4¢ | $11–$16 |
| United MileagePlus | 1.35¢ | $12–$16 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1.35¢ | $10–$14 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1.3¢ | $10–$15 |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1.3¢ | $11–$16 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1.25¢ | $9–$13 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1.2¢ | $9–$13 |
Why are airline miles worth different amounts?
- Award availability — programs with easy premium-cabin space are worth more.
- Transfer partners and alliances — flexible programs redeem at higher value.
- Expiration and fees — soon-to-expire miles and high fees lower the value.
- Demand — popular programs sell faster, even at a higher price.
Should you sell miles or use them?
If a mile is worth 1.6 cents in a business-class redemption but you'd only ever fly economy, selling at $15 per 1,000 (1.5 cents) can beat your real-world use. Sellers should anchor prices to the live marketplace; buyers should compare the all-in mileage cost to the cash fare — see buying miles for cheaper flights.
Quick value check
Cents per mile = redemption price in dollars ÷ miles required × 100. A $1,500 business fare booked for 60,000 miles is worth 2.5¢ per mile — well above the cash price of miles, so redeeming wins. Below ~1¢, selling usually wins.
Put this into action on MileMarketplace
Compare live offers by airline, or list your own miles with escrow protection.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average value of an airline mile?
- Airline miles are worth about 1.2–1.8 cents each in practice (The Points Guy, June 2026). Business- and first-class redemptions can push the effective value above 2 cents.
- Which airline miles are worth the most?
- By The Points Guy's June 2026 valuations, American AAdvantage leads major U.S. programs at 1.6 cents, followed by Alaska, Aeroplan, and British Airways Avios at 1.4 cents.
- How much is 100,000 airline miles worth?
- Around $1,200–$1,600 in redemption value at 1.2–1.6 cents per mile, or roughly $1,000–$2,000 in cash if sold at $10–$20 per 1,000 miles.
Sources
Related guides
- How to Sell Airline Miles for Cash (2026 Guide)
How to sell airline miles for cash in 2026: price per 1,000, get paid through escrow, and deliver safely. Most U.S. miles sell for $10–$20 per 1,000.
- How to Buy Airline Miles and Fly Business Class for Less
Buying airline miles or award tickets can cut business-class fares by ~70%. See worked examples and how to buy miles safely with escrow.