Can I Use United Miles on Lufthansa

If you have already booked the luggage points with Lufthansa Miles & More but are planning to fly United next, the question will usually set in, “Can I just transfer those miles over?” After all, both airlines are in the Star Alliance. Would it not be like dragging some files from one folder into another?

Unfortunately, no.

Despite being highly ranked partners, Lufthansa miles can never be converted into United miles. Both airlines run independent frequent-flyer programs, and their miles never mingle, much like cats in a dog park.

But don’t worry. Just because direct transfer isn’t an option doesn’t mean your miles are useless. There are still smart, flexible ways to use them, including one many travelers overlook: you can even sell Lufthansa miles for cash if you’re not flying anytime soon.

Lufthansa and United: Friends, But Not That Close

A program runs under Miles & More for Lufthansa; meanwhile, United operates under MileagePlus. While they are both members of the global Star Alliance network, their mileage programs work like two parallel highways; you are heading in the same direction, but there is no ramp in between.

In simpler terms:

• You can earn miles in one program when flying with the other (e.g., earn Lufthansa miles on a United flight—if you chose Lufthansa as your earning account beforehand).
• But you cannot move miles from Miles & More to MileagePlus or vice versa.

An often-heard misconception is that miles can be transferred or converted from one airline to another. However, being in the same alliance just makes miles redeemable through every other airline but does not make mileage accounts transferable. That’s where the popular question—can I use United miles on Lufthansa—often causes confusion. The answer depends on how you’re trying to use them.

So, What Are Your Options?

Here’s the good news: while you can’t transfer Lufthansa miles to United, you can use them to book flights on United Airlines.

Let’s say you have 60,000 Lufthansa miles and no plans to fly to Frankfurt anytime soon, but you’d love a domestic United flight. You can use your Miles & More miles to book that United flight by logging into your Lufthansa account, searching for flights, and selecting United as the carrier.

The process looks like this:

1. Log in to your Miles & More account
2. Go to the “Book a flight” section
3. Enter your travel details
4. Choose United from the list of available Star Alliance carriers
5. Use your miles to confirm the booking

No transfers, just a direct redemption.

You can also go the other way—use United miles to book Lufthansa flights (though Lufthansa award availability, especially in first class, tends to be released just days before departure). That’s another blog for another day. But yes, can I use United miles on Lufthansa? You can—as long as you’re redeeming through the right program and not expecting to physically move the miles between accounts.

From Frustration to a Flight

I once faced this very dilemma. I had earned a stash of Lufthansa miles thanks to a work trip and some hotel stays, but I live in Denver, a major United hub. I tried every possible way to “move” the miles over to my United account, only to learn the hard truth: not happening.

Luckily, I found a United flight from Denver to Orlando listed on the Lufthansa website and booked it directly with my Miles & More miles. It wasn’t a beach getaway in Europe, but the sun in Florida did wonders for my mood—and my tan.

But I’ll be honest: if there hadn’t been any award availability that day, I probably would’ve chosen to sell Lufthansa miles instead.

What If You’re Not Flying Anytime Soon? Sell Lufthansa Miles Instead

Miles aren’t wine. They don’t get better with age. Lufthansa miles expire after 36 months if they’re unused (unless you have elite status or a Lufthansa credit card), and redemption options can sometimes feel limited, especially if your travel calendar is empty.

That’s where selling your Lufthansa miles becomes a smart move. There are legitimate platforms like MilesBuyer, Sell My Miles, and Mileage Spot that buy Lufthansa miles and pay you real cash in return. Here’s how it works:

1. Request a quote from a reputable mileage broker
2. Share how many miles you want to sell
3. Get an offer and accept it
4. Transfer your miles and get paid (usually via PayPal)

And just like that, your unused miles are converted into spending power for anything from groceries to gadgets (or, let’s be honest, probably more coffee).

Just remember to do business with trusted platforms and know that technically, Lufthansa’s program terms discourage selling miles, but many travelers go this route safely every year.

No Transfers, But Plenty of Options

So, can Lufthansa miles be transferred to United? No. But that’s not a dead end—it’s just a detour.

You can still redeem your Lufthansa miles for United flights directly through the Miles & More program. If you cannot use them right now, then it makes perfect sense to sell Lufthansa miles and use the money for anything: travel, tech, or just topping up your savings.

Loyalty programs are there to reward your loyalty, not box you in. So don’t let your points collect dust. Use them, redeem them, or sell them—just don’t let them expire while you’re waiting for the “perfect trip. And if you’re still asking can I use United miles on Lufthansa, the answer is yes—as long as you redeem them wisely. Visit CashForMyMiles.com to sell Lufthansa miles for cash in just a few easy steps.