---
title: "Tarifa and Vienna, May 2026"
url: "https://benefitsystems.io/en/case-studies/2026-05-tarifa"
type: "Case study"
description: "$475 paid, $1,668 documented comparison value. The 72% difference came from 36,800 points and miles. 3 flights, 2 nights in 2 hotels, 11 days."
countries: "Austria, Spain"
period: "2026-05-08 to 2026-05-18"
status: "abgeschlossen"
---

# Tarifa and Vienna, May 2026

*3 flights, 2 nights in 2 hotels, 11 days.*

## Short answer

Tarifa, Vienna and Málaga in May 2026: 3 flights and 2 hotel nights for $475 paid, against a documented comparison value of $1,668. We used 36,800 points and miles, 3.2¢ per point on average. Anything paid in cash appears without a comparison value. The comparison value is not money paid out.

## Key figures

| Paid | Comparison value | Difference | Points and miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $475 | $1,668 | $1,193 (72%) | 36,800 |

## Day by day

### 8 May 2026
- Outbound flight, Airport → Vienna, Economy: Paid $68, Value $222, 1,900 points (8.1¢ per point)
- Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Vienna, 1 night: Paid $0, Value $254, 8,000 points (3.2¢ per point)

### 9 May 2026
- Austrian Airlines OS453, Vienna → Málaga, Economy: Paid $123, Value $388, 11,900 points (2.2¢ per point)

### 10 May 2026
- Higueron Hotel Malaga, Málaga, 1 night: Paid $60, Value $260, cash

### 18 May 2026
- Return flight, Málaga → Airport, Economy: Paid $224, Value $544, 15,000 points (2.1¢ per point)

## The whole trip

| Category | Paid | Comparison value | Difference | Points and miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (3) | $415 | $1,154 | $739 · 64% | 28,800 |
| Hotels (2 stays, 2 nights) | $60 | $514 | $454 · 88% | 8,000 |
| Total (5 bookings) | $475 | $1,668 | $1,193 · 72% | 36,800 |

## Related topics

- [What a point is worth](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/point-value)
- [Hotel award categories](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/hotel-award-categories)
- [Points or cash](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/points-or-cash)
- [When points are not worth it](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/when-points-arent-worth-it)