There's a myth that "redeeming with miles is always better". It isn't. Miles have value, and using them on a cheap ticket can be a waste. The right question is never "do I have miles?" but how much is my value per thousand on this redemption?
What "value per thousand" means
It's how much each 1,000 miles is "worth" on a specific redemption. It translates your miles into money so you can compare directly with the cash price.
The math, step by step
Formula
Value per thousand = (cash price − boarding fees) ÷ (miles needed ÷ 1,000)
Numeric example
A flight costs R$ 1,800 in cash, or 50,000 miles + R$ 200 in fees.Value per thousand = (1,800 − 200) ÷ 50 = R$ 32 per thousand.
If your miles cost R$ 15 per thousand (via a transfer bonus), you're more than doubling the value.
The Miles Calculator does this automatically and gives the verdict.
Reference table
| Value per thousand | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Above R$ 30 | Great — redeeming almost always pays off |
| R$ 20 to R$ 30 | Good — worth it if your miles cost less than that |
| Below R$ 15 | Weak — usually better to pay cash and keep the miles |
When it's worth it (and when not)
✓ Worth it
- International and long-haul flights.
- Business and first class (expensive in cash).
- High-demand dates.
- Expensive last-minute tickets.
✕ Not worth it
- Short, cheap segments.
- Very aggressive cash promos.
- Redemptions with very high fees.
- When you're just short and buying would be pricey.
Mind the boarding fees: some redemptions have high cash fees. Always subtract fees before computing the value per thousand.
Common mistakes
- Redeeming without calculating the value per thousand.
- Ignoring fees in the math.
- Spending miles on cheap segments.
- Not comparing the same route on another date or program.
💡 Tip: before any redemption, run the Miles Calculator and compare the value per thousand with your accumulation cost.