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Why Most Travelers Overpay for Flights

Most people still default to paying cash when booking flights—especially long-haul international business class. But sometimes, buying points and using them to book is not only cheaper—it can also get you a far better seat and even better routing for the same price as economy.

Let’s break down an example I just found for a client—flying from Denver (DEN) to Bangkok (BKK) on Air Canada.

The Real-World Example

Look at the cash price for business class on this route:

The cash price is $4,983 USD through Air Canada, with two stops.

Now compare it to the cost in points through Aeroplan, the loyalty program for Air Canada:

Air Canada points price Denver to Bangkok business class August example

87,500 Aeroplan points + 151 CAD (~$110 USD in taxes and fees).

Buying the Points — Is It Worth It?

Air Canada buy points promo example 75% bonus

Here’s the kicker — Aeroplan was running a 75% bonus sale on buying points.

In this case:
50,000 points + 37,500 bonus = 87,500 points
Cost to buy: $1,750 CAD → about $1,276 USD at current exchange rates (6/1/25).

Add taxes/fees: $1,276 + ~$110 USD = ~$1,386 USD total to book what would cost $4,983 USD if you paid cash.

Note: It can take up to 72 hours for points purchased from Air Canada to post to your account, plan accordingly.

How This Stacks Up to Economy

Here are the economy cash fares on Google Flights for the same date (see screenshot below):

Example economy fares Denver to Bangkok August

Economy ticket: At first glance, you’ll see a $631 fare, but that’s the non-refundable promotional rate — which we don’t recommend for international travel. You never know when plans might change, and with this fare, you’d be stuck.

The semi-flexible fare ($988 USD) is the closest real comparison, since it allows at least partial refunds and changes — something critical for any big trip.

Now compare:
✅ Semi-flexible economy: $988 USD
✅ Business class with purchased points: ~$1,386 USD (total, with points + taxes)

👉 So for about $400 more, you’re flying lie-flat business class on a 20+ hour journey instead of packed into an economy seat.

That’s the kind of value points can unlock — when used smartly.

Why This Works

Points sales like this happen often.
Premium cabin cash fares are extremely inflated.
Award prices in many programs (like Aeroplan) stay relatively stable even when cash prices spike.
You can buy points cheaper than paying cash if you catch a good bonus promo.

Key Takeaways

Don’t assume cash is always cheaper.
When buying points is an option, run the math—especially on international routes.
Business class for the price of economy is VERY achievable using this method.

Risks and Things to Watch Out For

While buying points can be an incredible strategy to book premium flights for far less than the cash price, it’s not without risks. Understanding these pitfalls ahead of time helps ensure this strategy doesn’t end up costing more or causing headaches.

Purchased Points Are Non-Refundable

Once points are purchased, they generally can’t be refunded. Before clicking that buy button, always confirm there’s immediate availability for the flight you’re planning. Buying points without a confirmed redemption could leave you stuck with points you can’t immediately use.

Delay in Points Posting

Purchased points often take time to post to your account—sometimes up to 72 hours. Award seats can disappear quickly, especially for popular international routes. Ideally, ensure your award seat is on hold or you’re reasonably confident availability won’t vanish while you wait for your points to appear.

With Air Canada user data points suggest if you make a small mileage purchase the points show up instantly, if you make a larger purchase the points do not post until the transaction has cleared.

Bonus Points Delay

If you’re receiving bonus points, verify whether they will post at the same time as your purchased points. Always read the terms and conditions on the purchase page before completing your transaction.

Changes and Cancellation Policies

When you book flights with points, airlines sometimes have stricter rules regarding changes and cancellations compared to cash bookings. You might incur additional fees, lose some points, or be restricted in making changes, especially close to departure dates. Always check the airline’s award ticket policies carefully.

Beware of Hidden Fees and Fuel Surcharges

While Aeroplan generally has modest fees, other airline programs—such as British Airways Avios—can tack on significant fuel surcharges. These extra charges can drastically reduce the overall value of your points redemption. Always run a quick calculation including taxes, surcharges, and fees before finalizing your purchase to ensure you’re truly getting the value you’re expecting.

Devaluation of Points

Airline frequent flyer programs occasionally devalue their points, raising the number of points required for award flights overnight. While this is rare and usually announced ahead of time, it’s always smart to book as soon as you’ve got your points in hand—particularly after buying them during a promotional sale.

Keeping these risks in mind ensures your savvy booking doesn’t turn into an expensive lesson.

Why Business Class Often Has the Best Value for Points?

When comparing cash prices to points redemption costs, business class flights almost always offer the highest return per point. Airlines tend to dramatically inflate business class fares—often five to ten times the cost of economy tickets. However, the number of points required for business class is typically only two to three times that of economy. This pricing gap makes business class awards an exceptional value.

Additionally, premium cabin award seat pricing, depending on the loyalty program, often remains consistent even when cash prices spike due to seasonal demand or last-minute bookings. Notable airlines with distance-based awards are:

Finally, beyond simple math, business class redemptions provide intangible benefits such as enhanced comfort, better meals, lounge access, and the ability to rest comfortably during long-haul journeys. For travelers who value arriving refreshed and relaxed, leveraging points for premium cabins isn’t just financially savvy—it’s also a strategic decision to greatly enhance the overall travel experience.

How to Research Miles and Points Strategies Effectively

How can you find the best Miles and Points advice when searching on Google?

Whenever searching for anything related to travel and points, start your search like this:
“Miles and Points” + [Your Search Term]
Example: “Miles and Points” + Alaska award ticket cancellation policy

This helps Google surface results from Miles and Points blogs, hobbyists, and community sites, which typically provide more accurate, experience-based advice — and helps filter out generic travel booking sites that may prioritize affiliate sales over useful information.

Final Thoughts

Too many travelers lock into one way of booking. But savvy points users know that sometimes, buying points strategically is the better deal—and not just a small one. In this example, you could save nearly $3,600 USD off the business class fare, or get business for the price Air Canada lists for economy.

That’s a win.

Do no miss this articles companion, how to get the best flight routing. You can overlay these strategies for epic, cheap, travel.