Tips and Best Practices

Simulated data

The screenshots and data shown in this guide use simulated test data. Program names, point values, and valuations may not reflect current real-world rates. Always verify details with your loyalty program.

A few habits that will help you build a useful redemption history over time.

Always Enter the Cash Price

The single most useful thing you can do is enter the cash price in the fare info step. Without it, Flyga can only show the baseline value (what your points are generally worth). With it, you get your actual cents-per-point for that specific redemption — which is the number that really tells you if you got a good deal.

When searching for the cash price:

• Look up the same route, dates, and cabin class on the airline’s website or Google Flights
• Use the fully loaded price (including taxes and fees)
• For hotels, compare the member rate or best available rate for the same dates

Log Redemptions Right After Booking

The best time to log a redemption is right after you book it:

• The cash price is easy to look up while you still have the search results open
• You’ll remember the exact routing and flight numbers
• Your confirmation number is fresh

Waiting until after the trip makes it harder to find the original pricing and details.

Use Notes for Context

The notes field is your personal memory bank. A few things worth recording:

• Why you chose this redemption — “Best availability for spring break, ANA had J wide open”
• Booking strategy — “Transferred 50k from Chase UR during 30% bonus”
• Travel context — “Anniversary trip, splurged on First because availability was perfect”
• Comparison notes — “Cash price was $4,200 for 2 pax, points booking saved us $3,400”

These notes become invaluable when you’re planning future trips and want to remember what worked.

Track Both Hits and Misses

It’s tempting to only log the redemptions you’re proud of — the 5-cent-per-point business class tickets. But logging the less impressive ones is just as valuable:

• You’ll see realistic averages over time, not just highlights
• Patterns emerge about which programs consistently deliver (or don’t)
• It keeps you honest about your points strategy

A 0.8 cpp hotel redemption might tell you to stop hoarding that program’s points and focus elsewhere.

Compare Programs Over Time

After you’ve logged several redemptions across different programs, your list becomes a comparison tool. You might notice that:

• You consistently get 2+ cents from one airline program but only 0.9 cents from another
• Hotel points give you better returns in certain destinations
• Transfer bonuses consistently improve your effective value

These patterns should inform where you earn and transfer points in the future.

Use the Transfer Optimizer Before You Redeem

If you need to transfer points for a redemption, run the numbers through the Transfer Optimizer first. It might reveal a more efficient transfer option, or confirm that the direct transfer is the best option. The optimizer’s built-in redemption calculator even lets you plug in the cash price of your target booking to see what your true CPP would be before you transfer. For a deep dive on the calculator, see Redemption Calculator Deep Dive. For decision frameworks on common scenarios, see Strategies for Common Scenarios.

Don’t Forget Taxes and Fees

Award flights often come with cash taxes and fees — sometimes substantial ones, especially on carriers that pass along fuel surcharges. Always enter these in the Taxes & Fees Paid field so your ERV calculation is accurate.

A “free” flight that costs $600 in surcharges is still a good deal if the cash ticket was $3,000, but your CPP should reflect the net savings, not the gross price.

When to Skip the Details

Not every redemption needs a full itinerary with flight numbers and booking codes. If you just want a quick record of points used and value received, fill in the basics (program, points, date, cash price) and skip the flight details step. You can always come back and add them later.

The most important data points are:

1. Which program
2. How many points
3. What the cash alternative cost

Everything else is bonus context.

Compare Predicted vs. Actual Value

If you used the Transfer Optimizer’s Redemption Calculator before transferring, you made a prediction about what your CPP would be. After logging the redemption, compare that prediction against your actual ERV. Over time, this feedback loop sharpens your instincts and helps you make faster, more confident transfer decisions. See Putting It All Together for a complete walkthrough of this cycle.

Log from chat

“Log a Flying Blue redemption, 70,000 miles, JFK to CDG on August 1, business” writes to the same account. Setup: Flyga MCP. The Points + Cash Calculator stays on the website.