Dan Whitmer, Rewards Programs Analyst
@dan_whitmer
The most valuable airline miles are Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles, which are worth about 2.07 cents each when redeemed for economy flights—meaning 10,000 miles could cover roughly $207 in airfare. This value is based on average redemption rates and can vary depending on the route and availability.
Most Valuable Airline Miles
| Airline | Value per Mile | Value per 10,000 Miles |
| 2.07 cents | $207 | |
| 1.77 cents | $177 | |
| 1.37 cents | $137 | |
| 1.49 cents | $149 | |
| 1.49 cents | $149 |
The values in the table above are averages based on flight bookings and can vary depending on how you redeem your miles. Airline miles are usually most valuable when redeemed for flights. While other redemption options like hotels, car rentals, and gift cards might be available, they typically offer less value.
It’s also important to remember that your overall savings depend on both how valuable the miles are and how many you can earn. Valuable miles are only part of the equation.
How to Earn More Airline Miles
Use an Airline Credit Card
Airline rewards credit cards often offer sign-up bonuses for spending a certain amount in the first few months. Bonuses can be worth tens of thousands of miles—often enough for a free flight or two. Additionally, you may get bonus miles for purchases in specific spending categories like dining, groceries, gas, or travel. To maximize your earning rate, focus on using cards that offer bonus miles for the categories you spend the most on.
Earn Elite Status
This can significantly accelerate your ability to earn miles. For example, a mid-tier member might get a 50% bonus on miles, while a top-tier member could earn a 120% bonus. You usually earn status by flying a certain number of miles, segments, or spending a set amount with the airline each year.
Look for Promotions
Airlines often run promotions to boost bookings, like earning double or triple miles on certain routes, dates, or fare classes. They may also offer bonus miles for using partner services like car rentals or hotels. Keeping track of these deals and booking strategically can quickly grow your mileage balance.
To see how major airlines compare, check out WalletHub’s guide to the best airline rewards programs.
People also ask
How much are 100,000 airline miles worth?
100,000 airline miles are worth $490 - $2,070, on average, depending on the airline and when you choose to redeem your miles. Airlines usually offer multiple redemption options, but you’ll generally get the best value when using miles for flights.
Value of 100,000 Miles by Airline
| Rewards Program | Value |
| $1,490 | |
| $1,370 |
How much are 50,000 airline miles worth?
50,000 airline miles are worth $245 - $1,035, on average, depending on the airline and when you choose to redeem your miles. Airlines usually offer multiple redemption options, but you’ll generally get the best value when using miles for flights.
Value of 50,000 Miles by Airline
| Rewards Program | Value |
| $745 | |
| $685 |
How many miles do you need for a free flight?
You need 2,500 to 20,000 miles for a free one-way flight within the U.S., depending on how far you’re flying, which airline you’re using and the dates of your travel. A one-way international flight will usually cost 35,000 - 50,000+ miles.
Airline miles and points are worth 1.26 cents each, on average, but their value can vary. For instance, when redeeming American Airlines miles for a free flight, each point is worth 0.97 cents to 2.37 cents,...
read full answer by Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards ModeratorDid we answer your question?
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