So I am always curious to hear how folks value points in different reward systems. I think many of the card reviewers greatly overvalue points based on booking ridiculously overpriced international first class tickets at a fraction of the cost, but still 2x-3x or more what you would pay for an economy ticket. Here is how I would value the point systems I have had cards for:
- Amex MR: 1.2 ¢/pt
- I generally will transfer points to domestic or international economy flights or to hotels when I can get at least 1 ¢/pt. The CS platinum sets a good minimum redemption rate.
- Chase UR: 1.6 ¢/pt
- Assuming CSR. May get better rates for Hyatt and occasionally economy flights, but portal bonus/PYB set the minimum
- Marriott Bonvoy: 0.67 ¢/pt
- Based on what I typically see scrolling through the site.
- Hilton Honors: 0.5 ¢/pt
- Based on what I typically see scrolling through the site.
- Hyatt: 1.67 ¢/pt
- Can be higher but the options are more limited.
- Delta Miles: 1.2 ¢/pt
- Based on what I typically see scrolling through the site. Sometimes there are good deals on partner flights internationally.
That all said I mainly use the Amex trifecta because I can earn MR at a fast enough rate to make up for the lower valuation and I can use the credits effectively.
How do you value points?
Yeah point value depends so much on how you travel to begin with. In my case, I get more value from the points than you do, but I also pay more out of pocket and tank devalues far worse.
I wholeheartedly believe you should calculate based only on what you would have paid if points weren’t a concern. I do fly business, first, or room/D1/other “premium” options for international trips to begin with, depending on how much the upgrade to each class is, so I can calculate my point tickets like that. Otherwise I would do it exactly like you do, since yours is the smarter way for at least two reasons: since I don’t redeem for poor CPP I always have a surplus of points, and minimizing cost is wiser to begin with. I don’t think I play the points game correctly haha.