Miles & More
At a Glance
Miles & More (formerly Lufthansa Miles & More) is the frequent flyer program for Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines. With over 40 Star Alliance partners, M&M miles can be redeemed for award flights on a wide network. However, the program has significant drawbacks: no credit card transfer partners, high fuel surcharges on Lufthansa metal, and miles that expire every 3 years unless you maintain status. The real value comes from booking partner airlines (especially United and Air Canada) where surcharges are minimal and the fixed award chart provides predictability. There is no official U.S. credit card, though the Barclays Miles & More World Elite Mastercard is available to U.S. residents.
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa First Class US to Europe | 91,000 | — | first | transatlantic |
| Economy US to Europe on United or Air Canada Partner | 50,000 | — | economy | transatlantic |
| Economy US to Hawaii on United Partner | 40,000 | — | economy | pacific_islands |
| Business Class US to Oceania on Partner | 215,000 | — | business | australia_nz |
| Business Class US to Southeast Asia on Partner | 215,000 | — | business | asia |
| Business Class US to Japan or Korea on Partner | 175,000 | — | business | asia |
| Economy US to Japan or Korea on Partner | 85,000 | — | economy | asia |
| Intra-Europe Flights on Partners | 0 | — | economy | intra_europe |
| Business Class US to Europe on United or Air Canada | 125,000 | — | business | transatlantic |
| Business Class US to India on Partner | 215,000 | — | business | middle_east |
Cards That Earn Miles & More (1)
Program Ratings
FAQs
Can I transfer credit card points to Miles & More?
No. Miles & More has no transfer partnerships with major credit card programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Citi Thank You Points. The only way to earn miles through credit cards is with the Miles & More World Elite Mastercard by Barclays, which offers 2x miles on partner airlines and 1x on other purchases.
Do Miles & More miles expire?
Yes. Miles expire at the end of the quarter 36 months after they're earned. However, miles do not expire while you hold Frequent Traveller status or above, so consider maintaining status or keeping the Barclays credit card active if you plan to hold a balance.
Can I buy Miles & More miles?
No. Unlike most airline programs, you cannot purchase miles directly through Lufthansa. Your only options to earn are through flying on M&M carriers/Star Alliance partners, the Barclays credit card, or transfers from hotel/car rental partners.
What are the fuel surcharges like?
Lufthansa imposes some of the highest fuel surcharges in the industry—roughly €600-900 roundtrip for intercontinental first class. To avoid surcharges, book partner flights on United or Air Canada, which have minimal fees on North/South America and Oceania routes. The fixed partner award chart means surcharges are typically €100-300 roundtrip even on long-haul partner awards.
Do I need a minimum balance to search for awards?
Yes. You must have at least 7,000 miles in your account before you can search for award flight availability. This is a significant friction point compared to other major programs like United or American.
Has Miles & More switched to dynamic pricing?
As of June 3, 2025, yes—but only for flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian. Partner airline awards still follow a fixed award chart, making partner awards significantly more predictable and often better value. The partner chart (roundtrip) is 50K economy US-Europe, 125K business US-Europe, 215K business US-Asia, and 330K first US-Asia.