How do I calculate Cents Per Point (CPP)?

The formula is: (Cash Price - Taxes) / Points Needed * 100. For example, if a flight costs $500 cash or 25,000 points, the math is $500 / 25,000 = $0.02, which is 2.0 cents per point.

Should I use points for Amazon purchases?

Generally, no. Most credit card issuers give you poor value (often 0.6 to 0.8 CPP) when using points directly at checkout (like Amazon or PayPal). You are usually better off redeeming for cash back and then paying for the item with your card.

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Points to Dollars

Points to Dollars Converter

How much are your hard-earned points actually worth in real money?

Number of Points / Miles

Reward Program

Value per Point (Cents) CPP: Cents Per Point.

Total Cash Value: $0.00

Calculated at 1.0 cents per point.

How This Tool Works

Cents Per Point (CPP) is the "magic number" of travel rewards. It tells you exactly how much value you are getting from your points compared to cash.

Formula: (Cash Price - Taxes) / Points Required * 100 = CPP.
Logic: If your CPP is higher than 1.0, you are beating cash back. If it's over 2.0, you are winning the game.
Assumptions: We assume standard transferable point values (Chase, Amex) but you can input custom rates.

How to Use (Steps)

Enter Point Amount: (e.g., 50,000 points).
Select Program: Choose a preset (Chase, Amex) or "Custom Rate."
Set Custom Rate: If you have a specific redemption in mind (e.g., a flight), input that CPP here.
Calculate: See the real dollar value of your points stash.

Example Calculation

Scenario: Booking a Business Class flight to Europe.

• Cash Price: $3,500.
• Points Needed: 80,000 + $200 Taxes.
• Math: ($3,500 - $200) / 80,000 * 100 = 4.1 CPP.
• Result: Your 80k points are worth $3,300 (4x more than cash back).

Why This Tool Is Accurate

Points are not money—they are a currency with floating exchange rates. This tool helps you stop guessing and start measuring the actual buying power of your points.

Limitations & Disclaimer

High CPP often requires flexibility. Just because a flight can be worth 4 cents per point doesn't mean you will always find availability. Disclaimer: Don't buy points speculatively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cash back better than points?

Cash back is simpler and guaranteed. Points have higher *potential* value (upside) but require work to find availability for flights. If you don't travel often, cash back is usually the better choice.

How do I calculate CPP for a flight?

Formula: (Cash Price of Ticket - Taxes) / Points Needed * 100. For example, if a $1,000 flight costs 50,000 points + $50 taxes, the value is ($950 / 50,000) * 100 = 1.9 CPP.

Which points are the most valuable?

Transferable currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points are generally the most valuable because they offer flexibility to transfer to dozens of different airline and hotel partners.