When to buy miles for your loyalty program

It’s typically not a great idea to buy miles from the airline for a simple reason: purchased miles cost more than they’re worth when redeemed. Most airlines charge around three cents per mile on average. Considering you can transfer miles to an airline at a 1:1 ratio with an eligible credit card, or earn miles at better rates directly with cobranded cards, buying miles directly usually isn’t worth it.

But on some rare occasions, it can make sense to buy miles. Here are the most common reasons you might choose to purchase miles.

Best times to buy airline miles

There are three instances where it could make sense to purchase airline miles.

Discounts and promos

Occasionally, some loyalty programs will run promotions or sales for buying miles. Depending on the loyalty program, you could find miles selling at a price closer to what they’re worth when redeemed.

It might make sense to buy miles using Avianca LifeMiles, for example, as this program is known for offering frequent sales.

Topping off your miles

It could be worth buying extra miles if you’re just short the few miles needed for a redemption. Of course, you will won’t get a great value for those last few miles, but your eventual redemption of accrued miles could make the trade-off worth it.

To keep your account from expiring

Many loyalty programs require you to earn or spend miles within a certain time period in order to keep your account open and avoid forfeiting your accrued miles.

Consider purchasing miles if you have a cache of miles on a loyalty program account you don’t use very often, and you don’t have an eligible credit card that can earn miles to that account. Buying miles will count toward mile accrual requirements and keep your account open.

Other considerations when buying miles

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re purchasing miles:

• Minimum purchase requirements.
  Most loyalty programs only sell miles in certain quantities, such as 500 or 2,000 miles.
• Values change all the time.
  The value of miles on a loyalty program change fairly frequently — often for the worse. While the 10,000 additional miles you purchased might have given you enough for a reward flight at the time of purchase, waiting even just a few months can put that reward flight out of reach. Check out our latest miles valuations for more information.
• Miles are best earned with credit cards.
  Just about every loyalty program out there allows you to earn miles with an eligible credit card or to transfer credit card points into loyalty miles.

Compare airline credit cards

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Name	Product	Foreign transaction fee	Welcome offer	Rewards	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		None	60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $750 through Chase Ultimate Rewards	5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases		Earn a signup bonus worth $750 with this popular travel card. Combine with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards for even greater value.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Reserve®		None	50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases		Get a generous $300 in annual travel credits, 3x points on travel and dining, and a 50% bonus on point redemptions with Chase's premier card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card		None	35,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases		With a welcome offer worth up to $600, up to 2x miles on select purchases, and assorted Delta perks, this is a strong choice for Delta fans. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card		None	10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months	2x miles at restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases		Earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and dining with this simple, entry-level Delta card, and pay no annual fee. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi		None	N/A	4% at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), 3% at restaurants and on travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on all other purchases		Get 3% back on your travel and dining purchases with no foreign transaction fees and use the card for your Costco membership.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card		None	50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months	5x points on Southwest between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month, then 2x points on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals and 1x points on all other purchases		Earn 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card		3% of the transaction value	50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months	5x points on Southwest between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month, then 2x points on Southwest Airlines and 1x points on all other purchases		Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card		None	40,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 after making a Delta purchase in the same timeframe	3x miles on Delta and direct hotel purchases, 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets and 1x miles for all other purchases		This card boasts a welcome offer worth up to $720, an annual companion certificate and valuable Delta perks. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card		None	50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months	5x points on Southwest between 12/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 on up to $2,000 spent per month, then 2x points on Southwest Airlines and 1x points on all other purchases		Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 30,000 after spending $10,000 in the first 9 months.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card		None	40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	3x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases		Delta's luxury offering shines with access to Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, an annual companion certificate and more valuable travel perks. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways Visa Signature® Card		None	50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	3x Avios on British Airways and partner airlines, 2x on hotels and 1x on all other purchases		50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Explorer Card		None	40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases		40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United Gateway℠ Card		None	10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on United Airlines purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting and 1x on all other purchases. Plus, 3x miles on grocery store purchases up to $1,500 per month through 9/30/2021		10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

Provided it’s part of a larger strategy, buying airline miles can help you inch toward your next big redemption. Just make sure it’s not your primary method of earning miles — the cost of purchasing miles will far outweigh your ultimate redemption value.

Compare rewards cards to find a card that lets you best earn points or miles on your favorite loyalty brand.

Frequently asked questions

• How much are airline miles worth?

  Airline miles are worth a variable amount depending on the airline, type of flight and other similar factors.

• How many miles does it take to get a free flight?

  The miles you need for a flight depend on the airline and the cost of the flight.

• What airline miles are most valuable?

  Alaska Airlines has one of the most valuable miles on average at 1.8 cents per mile according to our latest calculations. Compare our mileage valuations for more information.