{"id":174025,"date":"2026-09-30T20:10:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=174025"},"modified":"2026-09-30T20:10:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:10:03","slug":"points-path-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/points-path-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Points Path Review: Compare Cash and Award Prices in Google Flights"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I start searching for an award flight, I usually begin with Google Flights. It's the easiest way to get a quick look at the schedules, airlines, and routing options for a trip. The problem, of course, is that Google Flights only shows cash prices.<\/p>\n

From there, I could cross-check award prices with individual airlines or use another search tool, such as Point.Me<\/a> or Seats.aero<\/a>, to find award pricing. But the whole process can become rather time-consuming.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there\u2019s a handy tool that cuts out a step: Points Path. It integrates into Google Flights, automatically searching award availability and displaying award rates alongside cash prices.<\/p>\n

Here's how to get Points Path, how to use it, and how it can save you money, points, and time.<\/p>\n

What Is Points Path?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Points Path<\/a> is a browser extension that adds award pricing directly to Google Flights. Instead of needing to check airline websites or other tools to see what the same flights cost in miles, Points Path brings that information into the same search.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best for comparing cash and award prices on flights you\u2019re already considering rather than broadly searching for flexible destinations or award sweet spots.<\/p>\n

The tool offers both a free extension and paid membership levels. The free version covers several major U.S. airline programs, while paid plans add more airline partners and features like award alerts, flexible-date calendars, and customized point valuations.<\/p>\n

How Points Path works<\/span><\/h3>\n

Instead of checking airline websites or other tools to see what the same flights cost in miles, Points Path brings that information into the same search.<\/p>\n

Once the extension is installed, you can search Google Flights just as you normally would. Points Path checks supported airline loyalty programs for award availability and shows you how many miles each flight would cost. It also compares the cash price with the award rate and shows you which one it considers the better value.<\/p>\n

You can see below that the United flight from New York to Dallas is a good deal at 15,000 points, while the American Airlines flight is a great deal at only 9,500 points.<\/p>\n

\"A
Google Flights with the Points Path extension by Brie Bash\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Once the comparisons are displayed, click on an award result to see which airline programs can book the flight, which transferable points<\/a> programs partner with those airlines, and whether any transfer bonuses<\/a> are currently available. Points Path also calcuates and shows the redemption value in cents per point.<\/p>\n

In this example, the American Airlines award already looked like a great deal at 9,500 miles, or about 2.6 cents per point. But clicking into the result reveals an even better option: The same flight can be booked through Alaska Atmos Rewards<\/a> for just 7,500 points, giving you about 3 cents per point in value.<\/p>\n

Remember, though: Before transferring points, verify the award availability and pricing directly with the airline loyalty program. Award space and prices can change quickly. Since transfers from flexible points programs to airline programs are generally irreversible, you don't want to move points and then discover that the award is no longer available.<\/p>\n

If you decide to use miles, you can follow the link to the airline's website to book the award.<\/p>\n

\"The
Screenshot by Brie Bash\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Related: Point.Me, Roame.Travel, PointsYeah: Which Flight Award Availability Search Tool Is Best?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

How Does Points Path Determine the Value of a Deal?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You might be wondering how Points Path decides whether an award is a good or great deal. According to its website, Points Path uses an algorithm that checks pricing across thousands of flights and determines a median value for each airline program. It then uses that valuation to convert the award price into an equivalent cash price, adds any taxes and fees, and compares the result with the cash fare.<\/p>\n

These are the values that Points Path currently uses for its recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Airline<\/th>Points Path's Value (cents per point)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tap Air Portugal<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qantas<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qatar<\/td>1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avianca<\/td>1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delta<\/td>1.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Singapore<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virgin Atlantic<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United<\/td>1.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air Canada<\/td>1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
American<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aer Lingus<\/td>2.07<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iberia<\/td>1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
JetBlue<\/td>1.35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alaska<\/td>1.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Etihad<\/td>1.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Turkish<\/td>1.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virgin Australia<\/td>1.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

These values aren't necessarily the same as what AwardWallet users typically get from their points<\/a>. So, while I appreciate the recommendations Points Path gives for flight options, I don't always agree that the “great deal” is, in fact, great. Sometimes it's simply a decent use of miles. For that reason, Pro members can customize the point valuations Points Path uses to better reflect how much you personally value each mileage currency.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are times when paying cash may still make more sense, even if Points Path favors using miles. You may want to save your miles for another trip or earn miles or elite credit on a paid ticket.<\/p>\n

Related: How Much Do AwardWallet Members Actually Save When Redeeming Points?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting More From Points Path<\/span><\/h2>\n

The free extension works well on its own, but paid memberships add several tools and expand your search capability. Here is what each level of membership includes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Points Path also offers a Founders Club membership that includes Pro features along with higher limits and additional perks. Enrollment is only available periodically.<\/p>\n

Now that we've discussed the levels of membership, let's take a closer look at how some of these additional tools actually work.<\/p>\n

Flight Alerts and Flex Alerts<\/span><\/h3>\n

Flight Alerts let you monitor a specific one-way flight you find in Google Flights. Points Path will email you if the award price changes. You can also set an alert for a flight that isn't currently bookable with points. If award availability opens up later, Points Path will let you know. Alerts members can track up to 10 flights at a time, while Pro members can track up to 30.<\/p>\n

Flex Alerts are only available to Pro and Founders Club members and are designed for travelers with more flexibility. Instead of monitoring one particular flight, they search for award flights that match the preferences you set, such as your route, travel date, maximum points price, preferred airlines or bank programs, departure times, and number of stops. Pro members can set up to three Flex Alerts at a time, while Founders Club members can set up to five.<\/p>\n

Seven-day points calendar<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pro and Founders Club members can use the Points Calendar with any one-way Google Flights search. The calendar shows award prices for the three days before and three days after your selected departure date, making it easy to see whether shifting your trip by a day or two could save points.<\/p>\n

Special cardholder pricing<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pro and Founders Club members can display award pricing that reflects certain cardholder benefits, including Delta\u2019s TakeOff 15 discount for eligible Delta cardholders<\/a> and special United award pricing<\/a> available to eligible United cardholders.<\/p>\n

Once those benefits are selected in Points Path, the discounted award price will appear in your Google Flights results rather than the standard rate.<\/p>\n

Related: Which Delta Credit Card Is Right for You? A Breakdown of Benefits & Perks for Each<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lufthansa First Class dashboard<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pro and Founders Club members also have access to a Lufthansa First Class dashboard that tracks Lufthansa first-class award availability between the U.S. and Europe. This can be especially helpful because Lufthansa typically releases partner award space only within a few days of departure.<\/p>\n

Custom points valuations<\/span><\/h3>\n

As we explained above, Points Path uses its own default valuations to decide whether an award is a good or great deal. Pro and Founders Club members can customize those values if they personally value a mileage program higher or lower than Points Path does.\u00a0That way, the recommendations better reflect how you actually value and use your points.<\/p>\n

\"A
Credit: Points Path<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Beyond Google Flights<\/span><\/h2>\n

Earlier in 2026, Points Path expanded beyond Google Flights with two additional tools: Chase Travel Points Boost<\/a> valuations and hotel price comparisons. Both features are optional and can be turned on in the extension's Preferences settings. They are available with all Points Path memberships.<\/p>\n

\"Options
Screenshot of the Points Path extension settings by Brie Bash\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Chase Travel Points Boost with Points Path<\/span><\/h3>\n

For members who enable it, Points Path shows the cents-per-point value of any Points Boost pricing available in Chase Travel<\/a>.\u00a0 This can be helpful when deciding if a portal redemption is worth the points.<\/p>\n

\"A
Points Boost with the Points Path CPP valuation by Brie Bash\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Hotel Price Comparison with Points Path<\/span><\/h3>\n

Points Path can also compare hotel prices across more than 100 online travel agency sites and their international versions. So, if it finds a lower rate somewhere else or directly with the hotel, it will flag it so you can compare your options.<\/p>\n

Of course, the lowest rate isn't always the best deal. Booking through a third party can mean giving up hotel points, elite-night credits, or elite benefits.<\/p>\n

Our Take<\/span><\/h2>\n

Points Path is an incredibly useful tool for comparing cash and award prices without bouncing back and forth between Google Flights and individual airline websites. Since I already start most flight searches with Google Flights, having award prices appear there saves me time.<\/p>\n

It won't replace every award-search tool, but it's especially useful when you already know where and when you want to travel and just need to compare your cash and points options.<\/p>\n

Page Contents<\/p>