in 2026, the optimal strategy is now:
- "want first, buy first" (pay cash when you want business class) and,
- "team cash back" for credit cards without playing the coupon book game
not worth the effort to optimize 1.5 vs 2.0 cent redemption unless it's a hobby
Cash was about $7k for the same flights.
In part, the reason I built this wasn't exactly to optimize 1.5cpp vs 2cpp, although that can be useful too... but rather to help me make the choice between using points vs. cash. (which, yes, is based on the cpp value).
But if you don’t find it useful, I’d love that feedback too!
> Cash was about $7k for the same flights.
Cash price US$3,500
https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/64QhvwAzsAGp8NUA7
August 5 to 12, Turkish Airlines, lie-flat business class all legs, round trip, Los Angeles to Istanbul to Oslo
points game is over, man.
but again, if it's a hobby and you like searching, winning, and finding a good deal, then sure. that has value.
I was booking over 3 weeks, late August to early September, and I booked on KLM/AF. I had specific date ranges I needed to hit.
Again, you don't have to like it. That's fine.
But consider that "I think points are nonsense" isn't the person this was built for. :)
Again, sounds like you're trying too hard to justify 2 cpp vs 3 cpp.
Cash price $2,900/pax including fees, Aug 19 to Sep 9 (21 days), Turkish airlines lie-flat business round trip with nice short 1h30m layover at a brand new airport.
https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/fewZVhBFrtMTn7WQ6
Versus your 70k points + $600 cash fees per person?
Especially with kids, or with high income, you stop caring about $1,000/person and care more about simplicity or having the trip vs not (e.g., departing on Friday cash vs Wednesday points)
And if one is rich with points (1 million+), then one should have no problem spending 250k points one-way business on the date of their choice. Otherwise, they can't consume their point balance.
I was happy with the deal I found because my goal was saving cash, and using points I already had. I am not trying to prove a point past that.
$600/pax is a lot less than $2900/pax. Saving $4600 total to use 140k points is, indeed, very useful for me and a lot of other people.
You have other desires and needs. Cool. You could also build those into your request, but like I said: I don’t see the point you’re trying to make other than “I don’t want to like this tool because I don’t like points in general,” which is fine.
Do your thing! And I’ll do mine. :)
« Brand new » is not an argument by itself. Business is a must, or at least booking a lounge.
Business class passengers don't pay for food.
They are eating free buffet in the lounge.
so $600 fees is 46% of the points + cash you paid
you could've cashed out 70k points as $700, therefore the 70k points becomes cash in the math
For the record, I already took that into account. My goal with these flights was to save cash, because at the moment, cash flow is the issue I'm solving for. At other times, I have other priorities.
I can't believe I have to say this, but... YMMV, I guess.
Was it 70k points for single passenger, round-trip business class?
It's usually 100k points for one-way business class.
More likely 70k is one-way. Which means 140k points round trip + $600+ fees, vs $2900 cash price, which is hardly a deal.
Yes, I agree it was a great deal.