How The Points Guy Values Points and Miles

The Points Guy (TPG) publishes cents-per-point valuations for major airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs. These are editorial estimates of what one point or mile is worth in cash when redeemed well, not fixed exchange rates. Use them to compare programs and judge whether a specific redemption is above or below average value.

What the valuations are

Each valuation is a single number expressed in cents, representing TPG's estimate of the cash value of one point in that program. The site presents these as a reference for deciding whether to use points, transfer them, or pay cash.

From the site's published valuations:

TPG frames these as "what points are worth" and describes them as designed to help travelers "travel your way" — that is, to guide redemption choices rather than to set a redemption floor.

How to use a valuation

The number is a benchmark. To apply it:

1. Find the program's valuation on TPG's points valuations page.
2. Calculate your redemption's value: divide the cash price of the award by the number of points required, then convert to cents. For example, a $300 flight booked with 15,000 miles works out to 2 cents per mile.
3. Compare the result with TPG's valuation for that program. Above the benchmark suggests a strong redemption; well below suggests paying cash or saving the points may be better.
4. Check transfer options if your points sit in a transferable currency — TPG's transfer partner guides cover which airlines and hotels each currency can reach.

Worked example

If Chase Ultimate Rewards is valued at 2.05¢ and a Hyatt stay prices at $410 cash or 20,000 points, the redemption is worth about 2.05¢ per point — roughly at TPG's benchmark. A redemption at 1.2¢ would fall well short.

Key limitations

• They are estimates. TPG states the values are meant as guidance; actual value depends on how you redeem.
• They can change. Valuations are periodically revised as award pricing and program rules shift, so check the current figure before relying on it.
• They assume good redemptions. The numbers reflect thoughtful use of points, not the worst-case cash-back-style redemption.
• Transferable currencies often rank higher than individual airline or hotel points, which is why TPG publishes a guide arguing transferable rewards are worth more.

Where to find them

The valuations appear on TPG's site under its points valuations section, alongside program guides and transfer partner explainers. The same pages link to card reviews and news posts when a program's value changes.