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MilesQuote

Transparency

Editorial policy and valuation methodology

Every number on this site can be traced to a method. This page sets out that method, who reviews it, and how to tell us when something is wrong.

Valuation assumptions in use

  • Conservative — 0.9¢ Short-haul economy, dynamic pricing, or a fare you would not really have bought.
  • Typical redemption — 1.6¢ A sensible economy or mid-haul redemption against a fare you would genuinely have paid.
  • Strong premium-cabin award — 3.2¢ Long-haul business or first class on a chart-priced award with modest surcharges.

Last reviewed 11 September 2026.

How we estimate what miles are worth

Miles have no intrinsic value. They are worth the cash fare you avoid paying. So every valuation on this site uses one formula: the cash fare you would genuinely have bought, minus the taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges you still pay on the award, divided by the miles spent. The result is cents per mile.

Because the answer depends on the booking, we do not publish a single figure per programme as if it were a fact. We publish a band — conservative, typical and strong premium-cabin — and a calculator you can run with your own numbers. Our working assumption for a typical redemption is 1.6 cents per mile.

One central source of truth

Those assumptions live in a single configuration file that every value page, conversion table and calculator reads from. No page carries its own hardcoded figure, so a programme page and the calculator can never disagree with each other.

Redemption value is not a quote

An estimated redemption value tells you what a redemption saves you. It is not what anybody would pay you in cash, and it is not a MilesQuote offer. We publish no rate table and guarantee no price. Buy and sell quotes are prepared individually for each request after we review the specifics, and they are always indicative.

How programme information is checked

Earning, redemption, expiry and transfer descriptions are written from each airline's own published programme terms. Where a rule is subject to change — expiry windows in particular — we say so and point you to the airline rather than restating a number that may already be stale. We do not publish promotions, payout timings, transfer ratios or minimum balances that we cannot verify.

Review cycle

Valuation assumptions carry a review date and are revisited when award pricing, surcharge practice or programme structure shifts enough to move the band. The date on a page changes only when the content behind it was actually reviewed — never automatically.

Corrections

If a figure or programme rule here is wrong, tell us and we will fix it. Write to our contact page with the page and the detail in question. Corrections are made in place and the review date is updated.

Independence

MilesQuote is independent. We are not an airline, not an agent of one, and not partnered with or endorsed by any loyalty programme. Programme names appear for identification only. See our risk disclosure for what that means before you act on anything here.

MilesQuote is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or partnered with any airline or loyalty programme. Programme names are used for identification only. We publish no fixed rates; every quote is indicative, prepared individually, and never a guarantee of price or completion. Always check your programme's own terms before acting.