What the Lufthansa Credit Card is and who should consider it
The Lufthansa Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Lufthansa, the German airline. It earns points on purchases that you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards within the Lufthansa ecosystem. The card charges an annual fee — the amount varies by card tier and issuing country — in exchange for that earning rate and perks like checked baggage allowances or priority boarding.
This card makes sense if you fly Lufthansa or its partner airlines regularly and want to accumulate rewards faster than a general travel card would. It is less useful if you fly Lufthansa only once or twice a year, or if you prefer cash back over airline miles. The card's value depends entirely on whether you will use the perks enough to offset the annual cost.
Key Takeaways
- Lufthansa Credit Cards earn points on every purchase, with bonus points on Lufthansa flights and partner airline tickets.
- The card charges an annual fee that you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
- Points can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, lounge access, or other travel benefits within the Lufthansa Miles & More program.
- The card's value depends on your actual flight frequency and whether you will use the included perks like baggage allowances or priority boarding.
- Different card tiers offer different earning rates and benefits, so compare the annual fee against the perks you will actually use.
How points are earned and what they are worth
Every purchase you make with the card earns a base rate of points — typically one point per dollar spent, though this varies by card version and issuer. Lufthansa flights and bookings with partner airlines earn bonus points on top of the base rate. Some cards also offer bonus points in specific categories like dining or travel bookings.
Points are redeemed through the Lufthansa Miles & More program. A single point does not equal a single dollar in value. Instead, the value depends on what you redeem it for. A flight reward might require 25,000 to 100,000 points depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Seat upgrades, lounge access, and hotel stays also have point costs. The actual value of a point varies widely — sometimes it is worth less than one cent, sometimes more.
Points do not expire as long as you have account activity within a 36-month window. Account activity includes earning or redeeming points, so regular use keeps your balance active. If your account goes inactive for three years, your points are forfeited.
Annual fees and what comes with them
The annual fee is a fixed cost you pay once per year, usually charged to your card on the anniversary of opening the account. The amount depends on which card tier you hold — entry-level cards cost less than premium cards. This fee is non-refundable even if you do not use the card that year.
In exchange for the annual fee, most Lufthansa cards include perks such as one free checked bag per trip, priority boarding, or discounted lounge access. Some premium tiers include annual travel credits or statement credits that offset part of the fee. Read the specific benefits list for the card you are considering, because these perks vary significantly by tier and by the bank issuing the card in your country.
To determine whether the card pays for itself, add up the value of the perks you will actually use. If you fly Lufthansa twice a year and the free checked bag saves you $60 per trip, that is $120 in value. If the annual fee is $95, the card has already paid for itself before you earn a single point.
How to redeem points for flights and other rewards
Points are redeemed through your Miles & More account online or by calling Lufthansa directly. You can search for available award flights by route and date, then book using your points balance. Award availability is separate from paid ticket availability — just because a flight has seats for sale does not mean award seats are open on that date.
Beyond flights, you can redeem points for seat upgrades on flights you have already booked with cash, lounge day passes, hotel stays through partner properties, car rentals, or merchandise. The point cost for each option is fixed and listed in the Miles & More catalog. Some redemptions offer better value than others — a premium cabin upgrade on a long flight might give you more value per point than a hotel night would.
Lufthansa also allows you to transfer points to partner airlines and hotel programs, though the transfer rate is usually not one-to-one. This option is useful if you have a specific redemption in mind on a partner property and do not have enough Lufthansa points to reach it.
Partner airlines and where you can fly
Lufthansa is part of the Star Alliance, a network of 26 airlines including United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and others. You can redeem Lufthansa points for flights on any Star Alliance member airline, not just Lufthansa itself. This expands your options significantly if you live near a hub for a different Star Alliance carrier or if you want to fly a route that Lufthansa does not serve.
Award availability on partner airlines is often tighter than on Lufthansa flights, meaning fewer seats are released for points redemption. Booking a partner airline flight may require more points than the equivalent Lufthansa flight, or it may require calling Lufthansa directly rather than booking online. Check the Miles & More website for the current list of partners and their redemption rates.
Comparing this card to other airline and travel cards
A general travel rewards card that earns cash back or points redeemable on any airline may offer better value if you do not fly Lufthansa frequently. Those cards typically have lower annual fees and more flexible redemption options. However, they usually earn at a lower rate on airline purchases, so a Lufthansa-specific card can catch up quickly if you book several flights per year.
Other airline cards in the same network — such as cards from United, Air Canada, or Singapore Airlines — work on the same principle: you earn points specific to that airline's program, pay an annual fee, and redeem through that airline's catalog. The choice between them depends on which airline you fly most often and which card's perks align with your travel patterns.
If you are unsure whether an airline card is worth it, calculate your expected annual spending and flight frequency. A card that costs $95 per year needs to deliver at least $95 in value through perks and points to break even. If you cannot confidently say you will get that value, a general travel card is likely the safer choice.
How to open an account and what to know about approval
Lufthansa Credit Cards are issued by different banks depending on your country. In the United States, for example, the card is issued through a specific bank partnership. In Europe, different banks offer Lufthansa co-branded cards. You explore directly through the issuing bank's website or by visiting a branch.
Approval depends on your credit history and income, just like any credit card. The bank will pull your credit report and make a decision based on their underwriting criteria. There is no separate Lufthansa approval process — the bank handles everything. Once approved, your card arrives by mail within one to two weeks, and you can begin earning points when ready.
Before you explore, check whether you already have a Miles & More account. If you do, you can link your new card to that account so all points go into the same balance. If you do not have an account, one is created automatically when you open the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card for non-Lufthansa purchases?
Yes. The card earns points on all purchases — groceries, gas, dining, everything. You earn bonus points specifically on Lufthansa and partner airline bookings, but the base earning rate applies to every transaction. This is how you accumulate points even in months when you do not fly.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your Miles & More account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your account becomes inactive for 36 months with no earning or redemption activity, Lufthansa will forfeit the points. Keeping the account active requires at least one transaction every three years.
Is there a sign-up bonus for opening this card?
Many Lufthansa cards offer a welcome bonus of extra points after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. The bonus amount and spending threshold vary by card tier and issuer. Check the current offer when you are ready to explore, as these promotions change regularly.
Can I use points to upgrade a ticket I bought with cash?
Yes. You can redeem points for seat upgrades on flights you have already purchased with money. This is often a good value because the point cost is lower than booking the premium cabin outright. You must request the upgrade through your Miles & More account or by contacting Lufthansa directly.
What if I have points left over and do not fly much anymore?
You can transfer points to a family member's Miles & More account, donate them to a charity, or use them for non-flight rewards like hotel stays or merchandise. You can also straightforward hold them until you take another trip. As long as you have some account activity every three years, the points will not expire.