Points to Dollars Calculator
Stranded balances are the point of thresholds.
Redeemable now
$20.00
$24.00 of nominal value
$4.00 sits in points that cannot yet be redeemed. Redemption thresholds create that stranded balance deliberately — it drives one more purchase to cross the threshold, and it is also the main source of breakage.
How the Points to Dollars Calculator works
Redemption thresholds strand a portion of every balance in points that cannot yet be used. That is deliberate — it drives one more purchase to cross the line — and it is also where most breakage comes from.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is my points balance worth?
Points held times the value per point, though only whole redemptions can actually be used. The remainder sits stranded until you earn enough to cross the next threshold.
Why do programmes use thresholds?
Because a partial balance is an incentive to return. Someone 400 points short of a reward has a reason to make one more purchase, which is the whole mechanism.
Do points expire?
Many programmes expire them after a period of inactivity, which drives breakage and engagement at once. Expiry rules vary by jurisdiction — some places restrict them.
What is a fair point value?
Transparency matters more than the rate. Members compare programmes on what a point is worth, and an opaque or shifting rate does more damage than a modest one.