Max. Point Value 1.20 ¢
Do Points Expire? Yes
There are no credit card transfer partners for Miles and More, making it a program we rarely recommend
Miles & More is the loyalty program for Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline. Lufthansa operates flights to 18 destinations within Europe and 197 destinations outside of Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C.
You’ll earn Miles & More points when traveling on Lufthansa or any of its 40 partner airlines. You can also accrue points by making purchases with partner hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines. Points can be transferred from Marriott (3:1 rate), IHG (5:1) and Hilton Honors (10:1) to the Miles & More program.
Use your Miles & More points to book flights and upgrades on Lufthansa — or to book a hotel or rent a car with a partner. The Miles & More program is part of the Star Alliance, so your points can be used on partner airlines such as United and Air Canada.
Bottom Line: Lufthansa is Europe’s largest airline, so there are plenty of flight options to book with your Miles & More points. Your points can also be used on other Star Alliance airlines, including United and Air Canada.
Airlines within Star Alliance
The best way to redeem Lufthansa Miles & More miles is for airfare on Lufthansa or one of its partner airlines. You can also redeem miles for hotels, shopping, or gift cards, but these options offer far lower value.
One major drawback is that you must have at least 7,000 miles in your account before you’re allowed to search for award availability. This limitation is annoying, but the predictable award chart still helps you know the expected mileage cost ahead of time. You just won’t see real availability without the required balance.
There are several sweet spot redemptions with Miles & More, but it’s important to know that surcharges can be very high on award flights, especially in premium cabins.
Lufthansa partners with many travel and non-travel companies for alternative mile redemptions. These options generally offer far less value than using your miles for airfare, but they’re available if you want to explore them.
You can review all non-flight redemption options here.
Lufthansa has three elite status tiers. Once you qualify for a tier in a calendar year, you receive benefits immediately, and they remain valid until the end of February the year after next, with a minimum term of one year.
To achieve status, you need Points, Qualifying Points, or HON Circle Points. These are based on your travel class and whether your flight is continental or intercontinental.
If you have Lufthansa miles and know how you plan to redeem them, canceling your card isn’t a big deal. But if you don’t have a plan, be aware that miles expire at the end of the quarter 36 months after they’re earned. When you hold the card, your miles do not expire, so consider keeping it until you’re ready to use your balance.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays Lufthansa Miles & More World Elite Mastercard, 80,000 miles after spending $3000 in 3 months with an $89 annual fee.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, 90,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first year ($2000 in the first 3 months / $8000 rest of the year) with a $99 annual fee.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays JetBlue Business Card, 80,000 miles after spending $2000 in 3 months with a $99 annual fee.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays Lufthansa Miles & More World Elite Mastercard, 80,000 miles after spending $3000 in 3 months with an $89 annual fee.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, 90,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first year ($2000 in the first 3 months / $8000 rest of the year) with a $99 annual fee.
- Limited Time offer with Barclays JetBlue Business Card, 80,000 miles after spending $2000 in 3 months with a $99 annual fee.
