Table of contents
- What Is Miles & More, and Why Should You Care?
- How You Can Earn Lufthansa Miles (Besides Flying)
- Economy to First Class: Know What You’re Booking
- A Personal Travel Story: Miles Saved My Honeymoon
- Step-by-Step: How to Book Lufthansa with Miles
- Other Booking Options: Star Alliance to the Rescue
- Cash & Miles: Lufthansa’s Hybrid Option
- When to Use Miles and When to Sell Lufthansa Miles
- Miles Are Only Valuable When You Use Them
- Need Help Booking Lufthansa with Miles?
You know that giddy feeling when you find the perfect flight but then glance at the price tag and suddenly remember your bank account isn’t on vacation? Yep, we’ve all been there. But here’s the good news: learning how to book Lufthansa with miles is like unlocking a travel cheat code—luxury seats, international routes, and minimal out-of-pocket costs.
So, whether you’re a frequent traveller with a stock of Lufthansa miles or just an occasional tourist who has opened his or her first loyalty account, this guide will take you step by step on exactly redeeming those digital miles into a physical trip.
What Is Miles & More, and Why Should You Care?
Lufthansa’s loyalty program, Miles & More, isn’t just a fancy name slapped on your boarding pass. It’s one of Europe’s largest frequent-flyer programs, allowing you to earn and redeem miles across Lufthansa and over 35 airline partners thanks to the Star Alliance network.
From first-class lounges in Frankfurt to budget-friendly hops across Europe, the rewards are as real as that extra legroom you’ll be enjoying. And here’s the best part—you don’t need to be George Clooney in Up in the Air to benefit from it.
How You Can Earn Lufthansa Miles (Besides Flying)
Sure, hopping on a plane is the obvious way to rack up Lufthansa miles, but it’s far from the only one. Here are some smart ways to boost your balance:
- Lufthansa and Star Alliance Partners: To gain miles, you can use airlines such as United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and many others.
- Spending on Credit Card: The Miles & More World Elite Mastercard does give you miles for purchases, and if you consider airport Wi-Fi a necessity, it might very well be your new BFF.
- Hotels & Rentals: Booking hotels or cars through Lufthansa’s partners also gets you miles. It’s like turning your road trip into a runway.
Economy to First Class: Know What You’re Booking
Lufthansa offers everything from basic economy seats to business class lie-flat beds and even the elusive first-class suites (which are only released a few days before departure, FYI). Choose your cabin based on comfort, route, and how many miles you’re willing to part with.
Premium Economy is often the sweet spot—more space than Economy without a first-class price tag. Think of it as the legroom Goldilocks would choose.
A Personal Travel Story: Miles Saved My Honeymoon
A few years back, I had saved up Lufthansa miles for a planned Eurotrip. But life (and love) had other plans—cue an impromptu wedding and an urgent honeymoon plan. With just 72 hours’ notice, I booked two business class seats to Vienna using miles. We clinked champagne glasses at 30,000 feet and fell asleep on lie-flat seats. The cash price? Over $4,500. What did I pay? Around 140,000 miles and a few bucks in taxes.
That moment made me a believer in learning how to book Lufthansa with miles—and never looking back.
Step-by-Step: How to Book Lufthansa with Miles
Let’s break it down. Here’s exactly how to turn those miles into a boarding pass:
- Log in to your Miles & More account at lufthansa.com.
- Search for flights and choose “Book with Miles” or select the Cash & Miles option.
- Don’t have enough miles? No problem—you can pay part in cash and still reduce your fare.
- Choose your cabin class, confirm the fare (including taxes and fees), and book.
- Bonus: You’ll still earn new miles on your flight even when redeeming old ones. It’s like getting loyalty points for being loyal. Go figure!
Other Booking Options: Star Alliance to the Rescue
There are times that you feel miles with Lufthansa are simply not enough. In many instances, United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Avianca LifeMiles proffer handsome value and lower surcharges on equal Lufthansa flights.
These partner programs can be accessed through credit card point transfers (like Chase, Amex, or Capital One), which Lufthansa’s program doesn’t support. So if you’re sitting on a mountain of Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards, don’t sleep on this trick.
Cash & Miles: Lufthansa’s Hybrid Option
Don’t have enough miles for a full award flight? Use Cash & Miles, where you redeem a portion of your miles and pay the rest in cash. It’s flexible, available across all travel classes, and a great way to make every mile count.
It’s perfect for casual travelers or those still building their mileage portfolio. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t like a discount flight with just a few clicks?
When to Use Miles and When to Sell Lufthansa Miles
Now, let’s talk strategy. Sometimes booking with miles makes sense. Other times, it might be smarter to sell Lufthansa miles and use that cash toward a cheaper ticket, or something else entirely. Here’s when selling makes sense:
- You’re not flying anytime soon.
- The redemption options are poor (low value per mile).
- You prefer flexibility and don’t want to wait for an award seat availability.
At CashForMyMiles.com, we help travelers like you turn unused miles into instant cash. It’s safe, fast, and could be a better move, especially when Lufthansa adds hefty surcharges.
Miles Are Only Valuable When You Use Them
Learning how to book Lufthansa with miles gives you more than free flights—it gives you freedom. Whether you’re sipping espresso in Rome or exploring snowy streets in Berlin, Lufthansa miles can take you there in style, without draining your bank account.
And if you ever feel like your miles are gathering digital dust, don’t let them go to waste—sell Lufthansa miles with us and get the most out of what you’ve earned.
Need Help Booking Lufthansa with Miles?
Whether you want to fly or just cash out your miles, Cash For My Miles is here to help. From guiding you through redemptions to turning your points into cash, we make it simple, secure, and stress-free.
Get a Quick Quote today and see how far your miles can take you.