How to Sell Airline Miles for Cash (2026 Guide)
To sell airline miles, list them on a marketplace at a price per 1,000 miles, accept a buyer through escrow, then deliver by either transferring the miles or booking an award ticket in the buyer's name. The payment is released to you once the buyer confirms delivery. Most U.S. airline miles sell for $10–$20 per 1,000.
Can you actually sell airline miles?
Yes — you can sell airline miles for cash to travelers who want premium flights for less, and there is enormous supply to sell. McKinsey estimated roughly 30 trillion airline miles sit unredeemed worldwide (point.me, citing McKinsey 2018), and CBS News reports that in some programs only about 8% of miles are ever redeemed (CBS News).
One thing to know up front: selling miles breaks most airline program rules even though it isn't illegal in most places. Read is it legal to sell airline miles before you list.
How much can you sell airline miles for?
Most U.S. airline miles sell for roughly $10–$20 per 1,000 miles, depending on the program and demand. Cash prices sit below a mile's redemption value: The Points Guy valued American AAdvantage miles at 1.6 cents and United MileagePlus at 1.35 cents in June 2026 (The Points Guy). The gap between redemption value and cash price is the room you sell into.
| Program | Typical cash / 1,000 |
|---|---|
| American AAdvantage | $13–$18 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | $12–$17 |
| United MileagePlus | $12–$16 |
| British Airways Avios | $11–$16 |
| Delta SkyMiles | $9–$13 |
How do you price your miles to sell first?
Price against the live market, not a guess. Check current offers for your program on the marketplace — sellers are listed cheapest-first within each airline — then match or slightly beat the lowest verified price. The cheapest credible offer in a program almost always sells first.
- Match or undercut the lowest live offer for your exact program.
- Offer a volume discount above ~50,000 miles to move a large balance.
- Set a sensible minimum order so small sales stay worth your time.
How does escrow protect the sale?
Never deliver miles before you are protected. On MileMarketplace the buyer is charged up front and the funds are held in escrow; the money is released to you only after the buyer confirms the miles or ticket arrived as described. Escrow is the single most important defense against fraud for both sides.
Worked example: your payout
Sell 100,000 United miles at $14 per 1,000 = $1,400. MileMarketplace's 8% fee is $112, so your net payout is $1,288, paid to your bank after the buyer confirms delivery.
How do you avoid getting scammed?
- Never move the deal off-platform — that is the fastest way to lose escrow protection.
- Be wary of any buyer pushing you to deliver before payment is confirmed.
- Keep every message and confirmation inside the order thread for a clear record.
- List only what you can actually deliver, on time.
How to sell airline miles: step by step
- 1
Decide how you'll deliver
Choose to transfer miles to the buyer's account or book an award ticket in their name. Issuing a ticket is generally the lower-risk option.
- 2
Price per 1,000 miles
Check live offers for your program and match or beat the cheapest. Most U.S. miles sell for $10–$20 per 1,000.
- 3
Create your listing
Post your program, available balance, minimum order, delivery speed, and any restrictions. Honest, detailed listings convert best.
- 4
Accept payment into escrow
The buyer pays up front and the funds are held by the platform — the money is not yours yet.
- 5
Deliver and get paid
Transfer the miles or issue the ticket, add the confirmation, and the buyer confirms delivery to release your payout.
Put this into action on MileMarketplace
Compare live offers by airline, or list your own miles with escrow protection.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I sell airline miles for?
- Most U.S. airline miles sell for about $10–$20 per 1,000, depending on program and demand. Programs with strong premium-cabin availability, like American AAdvantage, fetch the most.
- Is selling airline miles safe?
- It's safest when the payment is held in escrow until delivery is confirmed, and when you sell only what you can deliver. The main risk is to your loyalty account, since most programs prohibit selling miles.
- How do I get paid for my miles?
- The buyer pays up front into escrow. After you transfer the miles or issue the ticket and the buyer confirms, the funds (minus the platform fee) are paid to your bank via Stripe.
- How fast can I sell my miles?
- Listings can sell within days for popular programs priced competitively. Delivery then takes minutes to a couple of days depending on whether you transfer miles or book a ticket.
Sources
Related guides
- How Much Are Airline Miles Worth? (June 2026 Value Guide)
Airline miles are worth ~1.2–1.8 cents each (The Points Guy, June 2026). See the per-program value chart and what miles sell for in cash.
- Is It Legal to Sell Airline Miles? (2026)
Selling airline miles isn't illegal in most places, but it breaks airline program rules — and can cost you your miles and account. Here's how to lower the risk.
- Selling Miles vs. Issuing Award Tickets: Which Is Safer?
Transfer miles or issue an award ticket? Compare risk, control, and effort. Issuing tickets is usually the safer way to sell airline miles.