How much are credit card miles worth?

The value of credit card miles depend on how you redeem them. As a general rule of thumb, consider credit card miles to be worth a baseline of $0.01 per mile. Airline miles with dynamic pricing tend to be worth $0.01 to $0.0125 per mile. Miles that are redeemed for statement credit are typically valued at $0.006 to $0.01 per mile. Cards with transferable points and miles can be worth $0.006 to $0.02 per mile -- or more -- depending on how you choose to use them. The best value usually comes from transferring your rewards to an airline or hotel partner for free flights and hotel stays.

How many credit card miles do you need for a free flight?

The number of credit card miles you need will vary depending on the program and redemption type. If you pay the cash fare for your flight and redeem miles as statement credit to cover that purchase, you will typically need 100 miles per $1. If you are redeeming airline frequent flyer miles -- either from earning them directly or from transferring other points or miles -- it's more complicated. Most airlines use dynamic award pricing, which means the number of frequent flyer miles you need for a given flight will vary based on factors like distance and demand. In these cases, you'll need to look up your specific itinerary to see the cost in miles.

How Do Credit Card Miles Work?

Updated April 12, 2024

By: Brittney Myers

Our Credit Cards Expert

Fact Checked Ashley Maready

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Earning airline miles with a credit card can be a great way to score free flights or boost your frequent flyer miles balance. You can also earn different kinds of miles that can be used on other types of travel. Knowing how credit card miles work can allow you to maximize your rewards -- and your travel options.

However, because there are so many different kinds of points and miles you can earn and redeem, it can be hard to know how to use them. We'll discuss the types of miles, as well as how to use them for free travel.

You earn miles on credit card purchases with travel cards

Miles are a type of rewards currency that you can earn with certain travel credit cards. In other words, when you make purchases with a miles credit card, you earn miles as a reward for using that card.

Learn more: The best travel rewards credit cards

How to earn credit card miles

The number of miles you earn on your purchase will depend on the card and the purchase type. Some cards offer a flat rate, meaning you earn the same number of miles per dollar spent no matter what you buy. Other cards will offer a flat rewards rate, plus bonus miles for purchases that fit into specific bonus categories.

However, not all miles you earn are the same. In fact, every card can earn an entirely different kind of miles. Knowing what kind of miles your card earns is key to figuring out how best to use them.

The types of credit card miles

Learn more about the three types of credit card miles:
- Airline frequent flyer miles
- Cash-equivalent miles
- Transferable miles and points
- Airline frequent flyer miles: The most common currency we think of as "miles" are frequent flyer miles earned with airlines. If you have a cobranded airline credit card, it earns frequent flyer miles for that airline. These will automatically show up in your associated airline loyalty account.
- Cash-equivalent miles: Some cards earn "miles" that operate like cash back rewards. You can redeem them for statement credit to cover travel purchases made with your credit card. (The Discover it® Miles is a good example.)
- Transferable miles and points: Many top travel credit cards earn points or "miles" that can be redeemed in a variety of ways. You can use them for statement credit, or you can transfer them to a partner airline program where they turn into airline frequent flyer miles. (Capital One's Venture cards and Chase Ultimate Rewards cards are good examples.)
What the different types of mile rewards credit cards have in common is that they can all be used to travel for free. Next, we'll talk about how you can use your credit card miles.
Learn more: How to travel for free with credit cards

How to use credit card miles

Each type of miles requires a different method to make the most of them. Let's take a look at how to use each type.

How do miles work on cobranded airline credit cards?

If you have a cobranded airline credit card, you'll earn frequent flyer miles on your purchases. This means you're directly earning airline miles that show up in your airline account. (You can think of them as credit cards with flight miles, since they earn miles that you redeem directly for free flights.)
You can only use these miles with the specific airline, so you'll need to log into your airline account to redeem them.

Each airline's miles program works a little differently:

Using United MileagePlus miles
United Airlines offers a variety of cobranded cards issued by Chase that earn United MileagePlus Miles on purchases. All of their cards earn at least 2X MileagePlus miles per dollar on United purchases, and 1X miles per dollar on other purchases.
Learn more: Best United credit cards
United uses dynamic award pricing, which means figuring out the United miles to dollars exchange can be difficult. The number of miles you need for a flight will vary based on the price, distance, and demand. The best way to figure out how many miles you need to travel is to look up your exact itinerary on United's website or mobile app.
Using Delta SkyMiles
Delta has a nice variety of cobranded credit cards offered via its partnership with American Express. These cards earn Delta SkyMiles on purchases that then show up automatically in your Delta account. Cardholders earn at least 2X SkyMiles on Delta purchases and 1X miles on other purchases.
Learn more: Best Delta credit cards
Delta uses dynamic award pricing, which means there is no official Delta SkyMiles redemption chart. Instead, the miles cost of a trip depends on factors like distance and demand. To see how many miles you need for a Delta flight, head to the Delta website (or mobile app) and look up that specific flight.
Using American Airlines AAdvantage miles
American Airlines has cobranded credit cards from two issuers: Citi and Barclays. Regardless of the issuer, these cards all earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles that will be deposited into your AAdvantage account. AA's cobranded cards earn a minimum of 2X AAdvantage miles per dollar on AA purchases, and 1X mile per dollar on other purchases.
Learn more: Best American Airlines credit cards
As with most other airlines, American Airlines now uses dynamic award pricing. This means the miles needed for a free AA flight vary based on demand (and other factors). The best way to plan your redemption is to look up the flight you want to see what it will cost. You could also check out any number of free third-party American Airlines miles calculator tools available online (note that these are not official tools, so your mileage may vary -- literally and figuratively).

Cobranded airline credit cards

Some of our favorite cobranded credit cards for airline miles include:

As of Apr. 16, 2024


Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card	Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card	United℠ Explorer Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5 Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5 Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5 Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply Rates & Fees	Apply Now for Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card On Chase's Secure Website.	Read Review
Read Full Review	Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement: Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850) Good/Excellent (670-850)	Credit Rating Requirement: Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850) Good/Excellent (670-850)	Credit Rating Requirement: Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850) Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: 40,000 Bonus Miles	Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 points	Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles

Rewards Program: 1X-2X Miles	Rewards Program: 1X-3X points	Rewards Program: N/A

Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a	Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A	Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable	Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable	Regular APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.	Annual Fee: $149	Annual Fee: $95

Highlights: Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150. Delta SkyMiles® Gold 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. $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner. $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. 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. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. No Foreign Transaction Fees. With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today. Terms Apply.	Highlights: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 7,500 anniversary points each year. Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. $75 Southwest® travel credit each year. No foreign transaction fees. Member FDIC	Highlights: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases Up to $100 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 Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United ClubSM with 2 one-time passes each year Member FDIC
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply Rates & Fees	Apply Now for Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card On Chase's Secure Website.
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How do miles work for statement credit redemption?

Some cards earn miles that can also be -- or only be -- redeemed for statement credit towards travel purchases. In this case, you would make an eligible purchase with your card. Then, you would use your online account to redeem miles to cover the cost of the purchase after it hits your account.

How do miles work on transferable points and miles credit cards?

Travel rewards cards with transferable points and miles are often the most complicated travel cards to use. That's because there are a lot of different ways to use your rewards. That said, the best value will usually come from transferring your rewards to a partner airline or hotel brand.

The exact method you use to transfer your rewards will depend on the rewards program. For more details on the four most popular rewards programs, check out our detailed guides:

How to choose the best credit cards for airline miles

With so many different mile rewards credit cards, it can be hard to pick just one. Here are some factors to consider when comparing your options:
- Type of miles
- Welcome bonus
- Extra perks
- Annual fee
- Do you want a cobranded airline card or a card with transferable rewards? Airline cards can be easier to use, but transferable rewards can offer more flexibility. Avoid choosing a card that earns a type of miles you can't or won't use.
- New cardholders are often eligible to earn a welcome bonus once approved that can be worth tens of thousands of miles. Make sure you can meet the spending requirement without making unnecessary purchases.
- A lot of the best airline cards come with valuable perks, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, or lounge access.
- The more perks and features a travel card offers, the more it costs. But a card with a big fee can be worth it if you'll actually use what it has to offer.
The plus side to so many options is that most travelers can find a miles card that works for them. If you travel frequently, you may even benefit from multiple cards, such as one airline cobranded card and one transferable rewards card. Explore your options for the best way to maximize your rewards.
Learn more: How to maximize credit card rewards

Are airline credit cards worth it?

Whether an airline credit card is worth it for you will depend a lot on how -- and how often -- you travel. For instance, if you frequently travel and always use the same airline, an airline credit card can be worth getting for the extra perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding.

Learn more: The best airline credit cards

However, if you don't travel often, or if you simply choose whichever airline is least expensive, then the airline-specific perks will be of limited use to you. In this case, you may be better off with a card that earns transferable points or miles.

Choosing a credit card

Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:

Best travel rewards cards

FAQs

The value of credit card miles depend on how you redeem them. As a general rule of thumb, consider credit card miles to be worth a baseline of $0.01 per mile.
Airline miles with dynamic pricing tend to be worth $0.01 to $0.0125 per mile.
Miles that are redeemed for statement credit are typically valued at $0.006 to $0.01 per mile.
Cards with transferable points and miles can be worth $0.006 to $0.02 per mile -- or more -- depending on how you choose to use them. The best value usually comes from transferring your rewards to an airline or hotel partner for free flights and hotel stays.
The number of credit card miles you need will vary depending on the program and redemption type.
If you pay the cash fare for your flight and redeem miles as statement credit to cover that purchase, you will typically need 100 miles per $1.
If you are redeeming airline frequent flyer miles -- either from earning them directly or from transferring other points or miles -- it's more complicated. Most airlines use dynamic award pricing, which means the number of frequent flyer miles you need for a given flight will vary based on factors like distance and demand. In these cases, you'll need to look up your specific itinerary to see the cost in miles.

Still have questions?

Here are some other questions we've answered:

Our Credit Cards Experts

By: Brittney Myers

Writer

Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.

Fact Checked Ashley Maready

Writer and Editor

Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.

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