What the Miles and More Credit Card is and who issues it
The Miles and More credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Lufthansa's frequent flyer program. The card lets you earn miles on purchases, which you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards through the Miles and More program. The card itself is a standard credit card — you use it to pay for everyday purchases and pay a monthly bill, just like any other card.
The specific bank partner, annual fee, earning rates, and redemption options depend on which version of the card you're looking at. Lufthansa offers different versions in different countries, and the terms change over time. Before you decide whether this card makes sense for you, you need to know the exact annual fee, the earning rate on different purchase categories, and what the miles are actually worth when you redeem them.
Key Takeaways
- Miles and More cards charge an annual fee that varies by card version and country, so you need to earn enough miles to cover that cost before the card saves you money.
- You earn miles on every purchase, but the earning rate is usually higher in certain categories like travel and dining, and lower on everyday purchases.
- Miles have real value only if you can redeem them for flights or upgrades you would actually book — if you never fly Lufthansa or its partners, the miles are worthless.
- The card's value depends entirely on how much you spend, which airlines you fly, and whether you can use the miles before they expire.
How earning miles on this card actually works
When you use the Miles and More card to pay for something, you earn a certain number of miles based on the purchase amount. The earning rate is usually stated as "X miles per dollar spent" or "X miles per euro spent," depending on your country. Most versions earn a base rate on all purchases — often 1 mile per unit of currency — and a higher rate in bonus categories like flights, hotels, or dining.
The miles go into your Miles and More account, which is separate from the credit card itself. You can see your balance online through the Lufthansa website or app. The miles don't expire as long as you have some account activity at least once every three years — this can be earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging in. If your account goes inactive for three years, Lufthansa can close it and you lose the miles.
What miles are worth when you redeem them
The value of a mile depends on what you redeem it for. You can use miles to book flights on Lufthansa or its partner airlines, to upgrade a paid ticket to business or first class, to book hotel stays, or to buy other products through the Miles and More store. The redemption rate — how many miles a flight costs — varies wildly depending on the route, the airline, the time of year, and how far in advance you book.
A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles. A transatlantic flight could cost 50,000 to 100,000 miles or more. An upgrade from economy to business class on a long flight might cost 15,000 to 50,000 miles. The same flight can cost different amounts of miles depending on demand and availability. This means you can't know in advance whether the miles you earn will be worth the annual fee you pay.
One way to estimate the value is to look at what those flights would cost in cash, then divide by the number of miles required. If a $500 flight costs 50,000 miles, each mile is worth roughly one cent. But if the same flight costs 100,000 miles during peak season, each mile is worth half a cent. You need to do this math for the specific flights you actually take to know whether the card is worth it for you.
The annual fee and whether it pays for itself
Miles and More cards charge an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the card open. The fee varies by card version — some versions cost less, others cost more. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not. To break even, you need to earn enough miles during the year to cover the fee's cost when redeemed.
For example, if your card costs $100 per year and you value each mile at one cent, you need to earn 10,000 miles just to break even. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card at a 1 mile per dollar earning rate, you'll earn 10,000 miles — exactly enough to cover the fee. If you spend less, the card costs you money. If you spend more or earn at a higher rate in bonus categories, the card might save you money.
The fee usually increases after the first year, so check what you'll actually pay in year two and beyond. Some cards offer a waived first-year fee or a bonus miles offer to new cardholders, which can make the first year cheaper or free. Read the terms carefully to see when the fee kicks in.
How this card compares to other travel rewards cards
Other credit cards also offer travel rewards, but they work differently. Some cards earn cash back instead of miles, which is simpler because cash back has a fixed value. Some cards earn points for a specific hotel chain or airline, which only work with that one company. Some cards earn flexible points that you can transfer to many different airlines and hotels.
The Miles and More card locks you into Lufthansa's program. If you fly other airlines more often, or if you prefer hotels that aren't in Lufthansa's partner network, the miles might be harder to use. If you fly Lufthansa regularly and know you'll use the miles, the card might be worth it. If you're not sure, compare the earning rate and annual fee to a cash back card or a more flexible points card first.
What happens if you don't use all your miles
Miles don't expire as long as your account stays active, but they also don't earn interest or grow on their own. If you accumulate miles but never redeem them, you're essentially giving Lufthansa an interest-free loan. The longer you hold miles without using them, the more likely it is that the redemption rates will increase (costing more miles for the same flight) or that your circumstances will change and you'll never use them.
Some people accumulate miles for years to save up for a premium cabin flight, which can be a reasonable strategy if you have a specific trip in mind. But if you're just letting miles pile up without a plan to use them, you're paying an annual fee for a reward you may never claim. Before you sign up for this card, think about whether you actually take enough trips to use the miles within a reasonable timeframe.
The credit card terms you need to know before explore
The Miles and More card is a credit card, which means you borrow money when you use it and pay it back with interest if you don't pay the full balance each month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies depending on your credit history and the card issuer. If you carry a balance, you'll pay interest charges that can quickly erase the value of the miles you earned.
To make this card worth it, you need to pay off the full balance every month. If you're the kind of person who carries a balance, the interest you pay will be far more than any miles you earn. Also check whether the card has an annual fee waiver for certain spending levels or account types — some versions waive the fee if you maintain a certain balance or have other accounts with the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Miles and More miles on airlines other than Lufthansa?
Yes. Miles and More has a network of partner airlines that includes carriers like United, Air Canada, and others. You can redeem miles for flights on these partners, though the redemption rates and availability vary by airline. Check the Miles and More website to see the full partner list and whether your preferred airlines are included.
What's the difference between this card and just booking Lufthansa flights directly?
If you book a Lufthansa flight directly with cash, you pay the ticket price and get nothing else. If you use this card, you earn miles on the purchase that you can use toward future flights or upgrades. The card also gives you other benefits like lounge access or checked baggage allowances, depending on the version. The trade-off is the annual fee.
Do I lose my miles if I close the card?
Closing the card doesn't automatically delete your miles. Your Miles and More account stays open as long as you have account activity every three years. However, some card versions offer benefits (like lounge access) that you lose when you close the card. Your miles themselves remain in your account and you can still redeem them.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
It depends on how much you spend and which flights you want. If you spend $5,000 per year on the card at 1 mile per dollar, you earn 5,000 miles annually. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles, so you could earn one in a year or two. A long international flight costs 50,000 miles or more, which could take five to ten years of regular spending. Calculate based on your actual spending and the flights you want to take.
Is this card worth it if I only fly once or twice a year?
Probably not. If you fly infrequently, you won't earn miles fast enough to cover the annual fee. You'd be better off with a cash back card that gives you a fixed percentage back on all purchases, or saving the annual fee entirely and paying for flights with cash. This card makes sense mainly for people who fly multiple times per year or spend heavily on travel and dining.