Lufthansa Miles and More Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Unless you regularly fly Lufthansa or highly value first-class travel on the airline, the Lufthansa Miles and More card is probably not worth it for the everyday traveler. There are other cards with higher sign-up bonuses and better benefits. In addition, using its main perk — the companion ticket — can be frustrating, so we generally suggest avoiding this card unless you fit the narrow criteria mentioned.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you frequently fly Lufthansa, often travel within Europe, or enjoy Lufthansa first-class flights, the Lufthansa Miles & More World Elite card could be a good fit. The sign-up bonus is 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 (and pay the $89 annual fee) within the first 90 days. (We’ve seen the sign-up bonus go as high as 80,000 miles in the past.)
- Early access to first-class awards: Other programs only release Lufthansa first-class seats within two weeks of departure, but Miles & More lets you book sooner. This can give you an advantage when trying to secure a sought-after first-class seat.
- Lounge vouchers: Each year, you receive two complimentary Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers, which can make your trip more comfortable.
You also get a companion ticket, but there are important caveats. You must purchase your own fare in cash (no points or miles allowed), and you still have to pay taxes, fees, and surcharges on the companion fare. These can range from hundreds of dollars to over $1,000 if you’re flying from the U.S. to Europe. Booking this ticket requires calling Lufthansa directly; you can’t do it online. Many travelers report that the total cost for the cash ticket and the companion ticket often ends up being higher than what they can find on Lufthansa’s website.
Finally, remember that you can redeem your miles for flights or upgrades on all Star Alliance airlines and other Lufthansa partners. This flexibility can help you get good value from your Miles & More points, provided that you fly Lufthansa (or its partners) regularly and are prepared to deal with some of the program’s quirks.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
There are a few scenarios in which this card may not be suitable for you:
- Many travelers complain about the companion ticket’s value. High taxes and fees still apply, it must be booked by phone with a Lufthansa representative, and it must be combined with a cash fare—all of which diminishes the ticket’s overall benefit.
- Several other credit cards offer better sign-up bonuses and benefits, and they partner with Lufthansa and its Star Alliance member airlines.
What to Know About Lufthansa Miles and More
There are no credit card transfer partners for Miles and More, making it a program we rarely recommend
- While Miles and More miles are difficult to earn, they can be redeemed on Lufthansa or any of its 40 partner airlines
- Fuel surcharges on Lufthansa are amongst the highest of airline loyalty programs
- If you have Miles and More miles, they are best used on United or Air Canada flights within North America or flights within Europe
- You cannot even search award availability unless you have at least 7000 miles in your account
How The Lufthansa Miles and More Credit Card Fits In The Lufthansa Miles and More Ecosystem
This is the only Lufthansa co-branded credit card on the market, and its Miles and More program is not a transfer partner of any major credit card issuer. Therefore, the Lufthansa Miles and More World Elite Mastercard is the only direct way to earn Miles and More points.
Of course, you can transfer points from several programs (Chase, American Express, Capital One, Bilt, Citi, or Marriott Bonvoy) to other Star Alliance partners and then book Lufthansa flights. However, if you want to earn Miles and More points directly, this credit card is your only option.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 | $3,000 | 1.2 ¢ | $0 | $89 |
$547
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa flights | 2 lounge vouchers & anniversary companion ticket | Barclay 6/24 , No 5/24 , Barclay 0/6 |
Award System
Most Recent Special Offer
$3,000 spend ended Nov 2024
Spend Categories
2X points
2.4¢ Per Dollar Spent
1X points
1.2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Two complimentary Lufthansa Business Lounge Vouchers after each account anniversary
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner No
Transfer To Friends No
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System Lufthansa Miles and More
Transfers In From
5:1 40% value retained
Lufthansa Miles and More Application Rules
Barclay will deny you for a seventh card if you have opened six new personal cards in the past 24 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You're more likely to be declined on a Barclay application if you currently have a Barclay card that has not been used in the past 6 months