: Many airlines add a 7.5% federal excise tax on top of the mileage price.
: Buying miles during a sale (e.g., a 70%–140% bonus) can sometimes be cheaper than paying cash for a business or first-class seat. For example, buying $2,000 worth of miles to book a $10,000 first-class ticket provides massive outsized value. how much does it cost to buy air miles
While usually a "bad deal," experts from NerdWallet and The Points Guy suggest three specific scenarios where buying miles makes sense: : Many airlines add a 7
: 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 While usually a "bad deal," experts from NerdWallet
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