How Much Does It Cost To Buy Air Miles -

: Airlines can change the "price" of award seats at any time without notice, making your purchased miles less valuable overnight.

: Many airlines add a 7.5% federal excise tax on top of the mileage price. how much does it cost to buy air miles

: If you have 55,000 miles and need 60,000 for a flight, paying ~$175 for the remaining 5,000 miles is often cheaper than paying the full cash price for the ticket. : Airlines can change the "price" of award

: Avoid "mileage brokers." Buying miles from anyone other than the airline directly violates terms of service and can result in your account being permanently closed. A Guide to Buying Airline Miles: When to Buy, When to Skip : Avoid "mileage brokers

Standard pricing often requires purchasing in increments of 1,000 miles. Below are typical costs for a 50,000-mile block as of early 2026: : ~$1,750 (3.5 cents per mile). American Airlines AAdvantage : ~$1,505 (3.0 cents per mile). Alaska Airlines : ~$1,880 (2.7 cents per mile). United MileagePlus : ~$1,222 (2.4 cents per mile). Frontier/Hawaiian : ~$1,250–$1,270 (2.5 cents per mile). Review: When It's Actually Worth It