Mile Value 2026: How much are your frequent flyer miles worth?
Not all miles are created equal. The value of a frequent flyer mile varies between 0.8 and 2.0 cents depending on the airline program — sometimes more if you redeem strategically. In this guide, we show you how to calculate the true value of your miles and which programs offer the best returns in 2026.
What is a mile worth?
The value of a mile is measured by what you get for it: an award ticket. If a Frankfurt–New York economy flight costs €800 and requires 50,000 miles plus €150 in taxes, the value is (800 - 150) / 50,000 × 100 = 1.3 cents per mile. This calculation works for every program — from business class upgrades to domestic flights.
Mile values per program 2026
Based on thousands of award bookings and current market prices on MilesMarket, the following benchmark values apply for 2026:
- Miles & More (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian): 1.2–1.8 cents — top performer for business class awards
- Avios (British Airways, Iberia, Qatar): 1.0–1.5 cents — great for short-haul within Europe
- Flying Blue (Air France, KLM): 0.9–1.4 cents — strong promo awards make the average volatile
- AAdvantage (American Airlines): 1.0–1.6 cents — especially valuable for international business class
- Emirates Skywards: 1.0–1.8 cents — high values on first-class A380 awards
- Marriott Bonvoy: 0.7–0.9 cents — hotel points are typically worth less than flight miles
- Hilton Honors: 0.4–0.6 cents — lowest value, but useful for expensive hotel nights
Sell or redeem yourself?
The rule of thumb: if you don't plan an award trip within the next 12 months, selling on MilesMarket is economically smarter. When selling, you typically get 0.8–1.5 cents per mile in cash — when redeeming, it's 1.0–2.0 cents, but only if you actually need the award. Miles lose value over time (devaluation), so 'letting them sit' is the worst option.
How to calculate your mile value
The formula is simple: (ticket price in € – taxes and fees in €) / miles × 100 = cents per mile. Our calculator on MilesMarket automates this calculation for over 30 programs, pulling current award charts and market prices so you don't have to search each chart manually.
FAQ
- How much are 100,000 miles worth?
- At an average value of 1.2 cents per mile, that's €1,200. Depending on the program and redemption strategy, the value can range from €800 (0.8 cents) to €2,000 (2.0 cents).
- Which miles are worth the most?
- Emirates Skywards and Miles & More top the list when you redeem for first or business class awards. For economy short-haul awards, Avios and Flying Blue are strongest.
- Can I sell miles tax-free?
- Selling miles may be subject to income tax if you acquire them commercially. Private occasional sales are generally tax-free. MilesMarket provides an annual export for your tax return.