What Lufthansa transfer partners are and why they matter

Lufthansa miles can be transferred to roughly 20 airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 10,000 Lufthansa miles becomes 10,000 miles with the partner airline. This matters because some partner airlines offer better redemption rates than Lufthansa itself — you might book a flight that costs 60,000 Lufthansa miles for 45,000 partner miles instead. The transfer takes 24 to 48 hours, and once the miles land in the partner account, you cannot move them back.

The partners fall into three groups: Star Alliance members (the largest group, including United, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines), non-Star carriers like Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish, and a few regional airlines. Which partners make sense for you depends on where you fly and what routes you are trying to book.

Key Takeaways

  • Lufthansa miles transfer at 1:1 to roughly 20 partners, and the transfer completes within 24 to 48 hours but cannot be reversed.
  • Star Alliance partners like United and Air Canada often have better redemption rates on long-haul flights than Lufthansa's own award chart.
  • Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish offer strong value on specific routes, particularly to the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
  • You need an active account with the partner airline before transferring miles; transfers go to existing accounts only.
  • Booking a partner award usually requires calling the airline or using their website directly, not Lufthansa's booking tool.

The Star Alliance partners and when to use them

Star Alliance includes United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Swiss International, and several others. These carriers often price awards more generously than Lufthansa on routes where Lufthansa does not operate or where the partner has more inventory. United, for example, frequently prices transatlantic business class awards at 110,000 to 130,000 miles, while Lufthansa charges 120,000 to 140,000 for the same cabin on similar routes.

The catch is that Star Alliance partners use their own award charts, not Lufthansa's. You cannot see partner pricing on Lufthansa's website — you have to search the partner airline's site directly, check their award chart, and then decide whether transferring makes sense. ANA is particularly known for low prices on Asia-Pacific routes; Singapore Airlines offers good value on long-haul premium cabin flights; Swiss is competitive on European business class.

Non-Star partners: Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish

Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish are not Star Alliance members but accept Lufthansa transfers. Turkish Airlines has a large network across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and its award chart tends to price economy flights lower than Lufthansa's — often 35,000 to 50,000 miles for routes where Lufthansa charges 50,000 to 60,000. LOT Polish is smaller but competitive on routes from the US to Central and Eastern Europe.

Both airlines require you to search their own websites to see pricing. Turkish Airlines' website can be harder to navigate for award searches, so calling their frequent flyer line (Miles&Smiles) may be faster. LOT's site is more straightforward. Neither partner is ideal for premium cabin travel, but both offer solid economy redemptions on specific routes.

How to transfer miles and what to do before you do

Before you transfer a single mile, create or confirm you have an active account with the partner airline. Transfers go only to existing accounts, and you will need the partner account number to complete the transfer. Log into your Lufthansa Miles & More account, find the transfer section (usually under "Redeem" or "Transfer Miles"), select the partner, enter the partner account number, and specify how many miles to transfer. The miles land within 24 to 48 hours.

Do not transfer speculatively. Search the partner's award chart or website first, confirm the flight you want to book exists at the price you expect, and then transfer only the miles you need plus a small buffer. Once miles are transferred, you own them in the partner account and cannot send them back to Lufthansa. If you transfer 50,000 miles and the flight you wanted books for 45,000, you are left with 5,000 partner miles that may be hard to use.

Booking a partner award after transfer

After miles land in the partner account, you book directly with the partner airline, not through Lufthansa. Most partners let you search and book awards on their website. Some, like United, have a straightforward online booking tool. Others, like Turkish Airlines, may require a phone call to their frequent flyer line to complete the booking, especially for complex itineraries or premium cabins.

Partner awards are subject to the partner's own rules: seat availability, fuel surcharges (some partners charge them, others do not), and cancellation policies. A United award booked with transferred miles follows United's cancellation rules, not Lufthansa's. Read the partner's terms before you book, and confirm the total cost in miles and any taxes or fees before committing.

When transferring makes sense and when it does not

Transfer when the partner's price is meaningfully lower than Lufthansa's — typically at least 10,000 to 15,000 miles cheaper on the same flight. On short-haul economy flights under 3 hours, the difference is often small enough that transferring adds complexity without real savings. On long-haul premium cabin flights, the gap is often large enough to justify the transfer and the 24-hour wait.

Do not transfer if you are uncertain about the booking. Lufthansa miles in your account are flexible; you can hold them, transfer them later, or use them on Lufthansa itself. Once transferred, they are locked into the partner's program. If the flight you wanted sells out before you book, or if the partner's cancellation policy is stricter than you want, you are stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to multiple partners at once?

No. You transfer to one partner at a time, and each transfer is separate. You can transfer 10,000 miles to United and 15,000 miles to Turkish Airlines in the same day, but you cannot split a single transfer across two partners.

What happens if I transfer miles and then the flight I wanted sells out?

The miles are now in the partner account and cannot be returned to Lufthansa. You would need to find another award flight with that partner or let the miles sit unused. This is why searching and confirming availability before transferring is critical.

Do partner awards include checked baggage and seat selection?

That depends on the partner airline and the cabin. Some partners include a checked bag with economy awards; others do not. Premium cabin awards almost always include bags. Check the partner's award terms before booking, because baggage and seat policies vary widely.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of miles I can transfer?

Lufthansa typically allows transfers in increments of 1,000 miles, with most partners requiring a minimum of 5,000 to 10,000 miles per transfer. Check the transfer screen in your account for the exact limits with each partner.

Can I transfer miles to a partner account that belongs to someone else?

No. Transfers must go to an account in your own name. You cannot transfer miles to a family member or friend, even if you are booking a flight for them.