The Thrifty Traveler Podcast · Tuesday, September 8, 2026
While a cents-per-mile formula exists to evaluate award travel value, the ultimate barometer is personal. Kyle Potter suggests that a redemption is good if it allows you to book something you otherwise couldn't afford or take a trip you wouldn't have otherwise taken. Obsessing over maximum value can lead to unredeemed points, whereas using points for travel is the primary goal.
“You know, there is an element of you know it when you see it and you know it better as you do this more and more. I think that's kind of the ultimate barometer because so many things in travel are ultimately just personal. The best way to use your points is going to be different for you than it is for me.”
“So, this is why I think we get to, it's better to look at it less about am I getting max value from my points, and more about are you booking something that you otherwise couldn't afford? Or are you using your points to take a trip that you otherwise wouldn't take, if not for redeeming those points?”
“Having 5 million MX points is not cool. Having a trip booked and feed full of flights and trips coming up, that's cool.”