Overview
Lufthansa’s Miles & More is one of Europe’s most extensive frequent flyer programs, serving as the loyalty program for not only Lufthansa but also several other European carriers. While it may not be as well-known to U.S. travelers as some domestic programs, Miles & More offers unique redemption opportunities, particularly for premium cabin travel on Star Alliance carriers.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about earning and maximizing Lufthansa miles, achieving elite status, and getting the most value from the program.
Program Overview
Miles & More is the loyalty program of Lufthansa Group airlines and several other European carriers. It’s one of the largest frequent flyer programs in Europe, with over 40 million members worldwide.
Key Program Features
- Program Currency: Three types of miles:
- Award Miles: Used for redemptions, valid for 36 months
- Status Miles: Count toward elite status qualification, valid for the calendar year
- HON Circle Miles: Count toward HON Circle status, measured over two consecutive years
- Member Airlines: Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Croatia Airlines, and others
- Alliance: Star Alliance
- Elite Tiers: Frequent Traveller, Senator, and HON Circle
- Miles Expiration: 36 months from earning date (end of the quarter)
Unlike many other loyalty programs, Miles & More miles have a fixed expiration date regardless of account activity. However, miles don’t expire for elite members (Frequent Traveller and above) as long as they maintain their status, or for members who hold a co-branded Miles & More credit card and make at least one purchase per month.
Miles & More Elite Status
Status Qualification
Miles & More uses a combination of points, qualifying points, and HON Circle points for elite status qualification. These are earned primarily through flying:
- Points: Earned on all Miles & More airlines and Star Alliance partners
- Qualifying points: Only earned on Miles & More member airlines (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, etc.)
- HON Circle points: Only earned on Miles & More member airlines in business or first class
To qualify for each status level, you need to earn:
- Frequent Traveller: 650 points AND 325 qualifying points in a calendar year
- Senator: 2,000 points AND 1,000 qualifying points in a calendar year
- HON Circle: 6,000 HON Circle points in a calendar year
Points are earned based on travel class and flight type:
| Flight Type | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental (Europe, North Africa) | 20 | 20 | 40 | 40 |
| Intercontinental (all other destinations) | 60 | 80 | 200 | 300 |
Once you qualify for elite status, benefits begin immediately and are valid for at least two years (the remainder of the current year plus the entire following year).
Frequent Traveller Benefits
- Business class check-in with Miles & More airline partners
- Access to Lufthansa Business lounges when flying on Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance carriers
- One extra checked bag in economy, two extra in premium economy and business, three extra in first class
- 25-50% bonus award miles on flights (depending on airline)
- Miles don’t expire as long as status is maintained
- Star Alliance Silver status benefits
- Dedicated phone support
Senator Benefits
- All Frequent Traveller benefits
- Senator and Star Alliance Gold lounge access
- First class check-in
- Priority security and boarding
- Two upgrade eVouchers annually (for one-class upgrades)
- 48-hour booking guarantee in the highest booking class
- Companion Award: 50% mileage discount for companions on award tickets
- Free seat selection
- Star Alliance Gold status benefits
HON Circle Benefits
- All Senator benefits
- Access to the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport regardless of class of service
- Limousine transfer service on select airlines
- Four upgrade vouchers annually
- 24-hour booking guarantee in the highest booking class
- Increased award availability up to 14 days prior to departure
- Enhanced baggage allowance
- Highest priority for irregular operations
Earning Miles & More Miles
Flying with Miles & More Airlines
When flying on Lufthansa and other Miles & More member airlines, you earn miles based on the fare and a multiplier. For example, on Lufthansa flights, the multiplier is 6, meaning a $290 round-trip flight would earn 1,740 miles ($290 × 6).
Different Miles & More airlines use different multipliers:
- Lufthansa: 6× fare
- Brussels Airlines: 5× fare
- Austrian Airlines: 6× fare
- Swiss International Air Lines: 6× fare
The best way to determine your exact mileage earning is to use the Miles & More award calculator on their website.
Flying with Star Alliance Partners
When flying with Star Alliance partners, miles are earned based on distance flown and booking class. The exact earning rate varies by partner and fare class, so it’s important to check the specific earning chart for each airline on the Miles & More website.
Credit Card Spending
For U.S. residents, the primary way to earn Miles & More miles through credit card spending is with the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® issued by Barclays. This card offers:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on Miles & More airline partners
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Two Lufthansa Business lounge passes annually
- Annual companion ticket
- $89 annual fee
Hotel and Car Rental Partners
Miles & More has partnerships with various hotel chains and car rental companies:
- Hotels: Earn miles with stays at partners like Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and more
- Car Rentals: Earn miles with Avis, Hertz, Sixt, and others
You can also earn miles by booking through the Miles & More hotel portal, though this may prevent you from earning hotel loyalty points or using elite benefits.
Other Earning Opportunities
- Shopping partners: Various retail partners offer miles for purchases
- Financial services: Some insurance and banking products offer miles
- Dining: Select restaurant partners offer miles for dining
- Surveys and promotions: Occasional opportunities to earn bonus miles
Redeeming Miles & More Miles
Award Flights
The primary and most valuable way to redeem Miles & More miles is for award flights. Miles & More uses a zone-based award chart with fixed prices based on origin, destination, and class of service.
Sample one-way award prices (in miles):
| Route | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within Europe | 10,000-15,000 | N/A | 20,000-30,000 | N/A |
| Europe to North America | 30,000 | 40,000 | 56,000 | 91,000 |
| Europe to Asia | 40,000 | 60,000 | 71,000 | 111,000 |
| North America to Asia | 40,000 | 60,000 | 71,000 | 111,000 |
Important notes about award bookings:
- You need at least 7,000 miles in your account to search for award availability online
- Most award tickets include significant fuel surcharges, except for:
- Air Canada flights within North America
- United Airlines flights within North America, South America, and Oceania
- Child tickets on select airlines receive a 25% mileage discount
- Senator and HON Circle members have access to additional award availability
Upgrades
Miles & More miles can be used for upgrades on Lufthansa and select partner airlines. The mileage required depends on the route and original booking class. Not all fare classes are eligible for upgrades, so check the specific rules before booking your original ticket.
Other Redemption Options
- Merchandise and gift cards: Redeem miles for products and gift cards through the Miles & More Shop
- Hotel stays: Use miles for hotel bookings through the Miles & More hotel portal
- Car rentals: Redeem miles for car rentals with partner companies
- Experiences: Use miles for event tickets, tours, and other experiences
While these options provide flexibility, they typically offer much lower value per mile compared to flight redemptions.
Program Sweet Spots
Lufthansa First Class
One of the biggest advantages of the Miles & More program is access to Lufthansa first class award space well in advance of departure. While other Star Alliance programs can only book Lufthansa first class awards at most 14 days before departure (and often only 3 days before), Miles & More members can book months in advance.
At 91,000 miles one-way between Europe and North America, this is a competitive rate for one of the world’s best first-class products. However, be prepared for high fuel surcharges of approximately $850 round-trip.
Economy Flights to Hawaii
You can book United Airlines economy flights from anywhere in the United States to Hawaii for just 20,000 miles each way. This is particularly valuable for East Coast departures, where the distance and cash prices are typically higher.
Business Class to Oceania
Flights from North America to Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of Oceania cost just 71,000 miles one-way in business class. This is significantly lower than what many other programs charge for similar routes.
Business Class to Southeast Asia
Similarly, business class flights from North America to Southeast Asia are priced at 71,000 miles one-way. While fuel surcharges apply, you can experience premium products on carriers like Air Canada, ANA, and EVA Airways at a fraction of the cash price.
Companion Awards
Senator and HON Circle members can add a companion to any award ticket on Miles & More airlines at a 50% mileage discount. This effectively allows you to book two premium cabin tickets for 1.5 times the normal mileage cost.
Program Limitations
Miles Expiration
The rigid 36-month expiration policy for miles is one of the program’s biggest drawbacks. Unlike most loyalty programs where activity extends the life of your miles, Miles & More has a hard expiration date regardless of account activity. The only exceptions are for elite members and credit cardholders who meet specific requirements.
High Fuel Surcharges
Miles & More imposes substantial fuel surcharges on most award tickets, which can significantly reduce the value of your redemptions. For example, a first-class round-trip between the U.S. and Europe can incur approximately $850 in surcharges, on top of the miles required.
Award Search Restrictions
One of the most frustrating aspects of the program is that you need at least 7,000 miles in your account before you can even search for award availability online. This makes it difficult for new members to plan redemptions before committing to the program.
Limited Earning Opportunities
Compared to other major airline programs, Miles & More offers fewer ways to earn miles, especially for U.S.-based members. The program has no major U.S. transfer partners, and the earning rates on the co-branded credit card are modest.
Partner Airlines
Miles & More Member Airlines
The following airlines use Miles & More as their primary loyalty program:
- Air Dolomiti
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Discover Airlines
- Eurowings
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Lufthansa City
- Luxair
- Swiss International Air Lines
Star Alliance Partners
As a member of Star Alliance, Miles & More allows you to earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance airlines:
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Asiana Airlines
- Avianca
- Copa Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
Non-Alliance Partners
Miles & More also partners with several airlines outside of Star Alliance:
- Air Astana
- Air Malta
- Cathay Pacific
- LATAM
- Vistara
Note that there may be restrictions regarding which flights are eligible for earning or redeeming miles with these non-alliance partners.
Credit Card Options
Lufthansa Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®
Elevate Your European Travel with the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®
- 60,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases and payment of the $89 annual fee within 90 days
- 2X miles per $1 on ticket purchases directly with Miles & More® integrated airline partners
- 1X mile per $1 on all other purchases
- Companion ticket each anniversary—bring a guest on the same flight (taxes & fees apply)
- Two Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers annually for premium airport access
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
- No foreign transaction fees
Whether you’re crossing the Atlantic or exploring Europe’s hidden gems, the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® accelerates your rewards on flights and everyday spend. Enjoy seamless redemptions across the SkyTeam network, access to exclusive companion and lounge benefits, and flexible financing with an extended 0% APR period. Manage your account effortlessly in the Bank of America mobile app and watch your miles add up toward award flights, upgrades and luxury experiences.
Terms apply. Companion ticket and lounge vouchers subject to restrictions and fees. Miles earned and benefits require active account. See issuer for full details.
European Credit Card Options
For European residents, Miles & More offers several co-branded credit cards with more generous earning rates and benefits. These vary by country but typically include higher welcome bonuses and category spending multipliers than the U.S. version.
Posts related to Lufthansa Miles & More
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Miles & More miles expire?
Miles & More has one of the strictest expiration policies among major airline programs. Miles expire 36 months after they are earned, regardless of account activity. Specifically, they expire at the end of the quarter 36 months after the miles were earned.
For example, if you earned miles in October 2025, they would expire on December 31, 2028. This is a hard expiration date that cannot be extended through normal account activity like flying or credit card spending.
There are only two ways to prevent miles from expiring:
1. Hold elite status in the Miles & More program (Frequent Traveller, Senator, or HON Circle). As long as you maintain your status, your miles won’t expire.
2. Hold the Miles & More World Elite Mastercard, make at least one purchase per month, and have had the account open for at least three months.
This strict expiration policy makes it crucial to have a redemption plan when collecting Miles & More miles, especially for infrequent travelers who may not qualify for elite status.
What are the different types of miles in the Miles & More program?
The Miles & More program uses three different types of miles, each serving a specific purpose:
1. Award Miles:
• These are the redeemable miles you use for award flights, upgrades, and other rewards
• Valid for 36 months from the date earned (with exceptions for elite members and credit cardholders)
• Earned through flying, credit card spending, hotel stays, car rentals, and other partner activities
2. Status Miles:
• Used solely to determine your Frequent Traveller and Senator status levels
• Counted in the calendar year in which they are credited
• Every Status Mile is also counted as an Award Mile
• Only earned through flying (not through credit card spending or other partnerships)
3. HON Circle Miles:
• Used exclusively for achieving HON Circle status, the highest elite tier
• Counted over two consecutive calendar years
• Only earned on business and first class flights with Miles & More member airlines
• Cannot be earned on Star Alliance partners or through non-flight activities
Understanding the difference between these miles types is crucial for maximizing the program, especially if you’re aiming for elite status. While Award Miles help you get free flights, Status Miles and HON Circle Miles help you climb the elite status ladder to unlock premium benefits.
How do I search for and book award flights with Miles & More?
Searching for and booking award flights with Miles & More has some unique requirements and limitations:
The 7,000-mile minimum requirement:
• You must have at least 7,000 miles in your account before you can even search for award availability online
• This is one of the most restrictive policies among major airline programs
• If you don’t have enough miles, you’ll need to use other Star Alliance programs’ websites to search for availability, then call Miles & More to book
Online booking process:
1. Log in to your Miles & More account
2. Navigate to the “Spend miles for flights” page
3. Enter your flight details and click “Search flights”
4. Select your preferred flight from the results
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your booking
Partner award bookings:
• Star Alliance partner awards can be booked online
• Non-alliance partner awards typically require calling the Miles & More service center
• For some partners like Cathay Pacific, you’ll need to search for availability using other tools (like British Airways or Qantas websites) before calling
Award availability tips:
• Senator and HON Circle members have access to additional award space
• Lufthansa first class can be booked well in advance with Miles & More (unlike other programs, which can only book 14 days or less before departure)
• Child tickets on many Miles & More airlines receive a 25% mileage discount
If you don’t have enough miles to search online, you can use United.com or Aeroplan.com to find Star Alliance availability, then call Miles & More at 800-581-6400 to confirm the space and book your award.
What are the best redemption sweet spots in the Miles & More program?
Miles & More offers several high-value redemption opportunities that stand out as program sweet spots:
1. Lufthansa First Class with advance booking:
• 91,000 miles one-way between Europe and North America
• Unlike other Star Alliance programs that can only book 14 days before departure, Miles & More members can book months in advance
• Access to the exclusive First Class Terminal in Frankfurt
• Be prepared for high fuel surcharges (approximately $850 round-trip)
2. Economy flights to Hawaii:
• 20,000 miles each way from anywhere in the United States to Hawaii on United Airlines
• Particularly valuable from East Coast cities where cash prices are higher
• Minimal taxes and fees (no fuel surcharges on United flights within North America)
3. Business class to Oceania:
• 71,000 miles one-way from North America to Australia/New Zealand
• Can be booked on Air Canada, United, or other Star Alliance carriers
• Lower mileage requirements than many competing programs
4. Business class to Southeast Asia:
• 71,000 miles one-way from North America
• Access to premium products on carriers like ANA, EVA Air, and Thai Airways
• Great value despite fuel surcharges on some carriers
5. Senator/HON Circle Companion Award benefit:
• Add a companion to any award ticket on Miles & More airlines at 50% off the normal mileage price
• Effectively allows booking two premium cabin tickets for 1.5x the miles
• Available only to Senator and HON Circle members
These sweet spots offer exceptional value compared to other programs, especially for premium cabin travel to specific regions. Just remember to factor in the fuel surcharges when calculating the true value of your redemption.
How do I earn elite status in the Miles & More program?
Earning elite status in the Miles & More program requires understanding their unique point system and qualification requirements:
Status qualification thresholds:
• Frequent Traveller: 650 points AND 325 qualifying points in a calendar year
• Senator: 2,000 points AND 1,000 qualifying points in a calendar year
• HON Circle: 6,000 HON Circle points in a calendar year
Understanding the different point types:
• Points: Earned on all Miles & More airlines and Star Alliance partners
• Qualifying points: Only earned on Miles & More member airlines (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, etc.)
• HON Circle points: Only earned on Miles & More member airlines in business or first class
How points are earned:
Continental flights (Europe, North Africa):
• Economy: 20 points
• Premium Economy: 20 points
• Business: 40 points
• First: 40 points
Intercontinental flights (all other destinations):
• Economy: 60 points
• Premium Economy: 80 points
• Business: 200 points
• First: 300 points
Status validity:
• Once you qualify for elite status, benefits begin immediately
• Status remains valid for the remainder of the current year plus the entire following year
• If you don’t requalify, you’ll drop to the next lower tier
Alternative earning options:
• A limited number of points can be earned on journeys with Austrian AIRail, Lufthansa Express Rail, and Swiss Air Rail
• Unlike some programs, credit card spending does not count toward status qualification
For most travelers, the most efficient path to status is through business or first class intercontinental flights on Miles & More airlines, as these earn the highest number of points per trip.
What are the fuel surcharges like on Miles & More award tickets?
Fuel surcharges are one of the most significant drawbacks of the Miles & More program. Here’s what you need to know about them:
General fuel surcharge levels:
• Economy class: Approximately $200-300 one-way on long-haul international flights
• Business class: Approximately $350-450 one-way on long-haul international flights
• First class: Approximately $400-500 one-way on long-haul international flights
This means a round-trip first class award between the U.S. and Europe could incur around $850 in surcharges, in addition to regular taxes and fees.
Airlines with reduced or no fuel surcharges:
• Air Canada flights within North America
• United Airlines flights within North America, South America, and Oceania
• LOT Polish Airlines (lower surcharges than other European carriers)
• Some regional partners like Air Dolomiti
Airlines with high fuel surcharges:
• Lufthansa
• Austrian Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• Brussels Airlines
• Most other international long-haul carriers
Strategies to minimize surcharges:
• Book United-operated flights for travel to/from/within the Americas and Oceania
• Consider LOT Polish Airlines for European connections
• Compare the total cost (miles + cash) against paid fares to ensure you’re getting good value
• For Senator and HON Circle members, the Companion Award benefit (50% off miles for a companion) can help offset the impact of high surcharges
While these surcharges significantly reduce the value of your miles, premium cabin redemptions can still represent good value compared to the cash price, especially for Lufthansa first class and other luxury products.
