AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Program changes are the new norm across the U.S., and in Germany, things are no different. Lufthansa Group's Miles & More recently announced status program changes effective January 1, 2024.
Like its U.S. counterparts, Lufthansa says it is simplifying its existing program for members. Here's a look at what's changing in 2024 with Miles & More — the loyalty program of numerous airlines in the Lufthansa Group.
Overview of Changes to Miles & More
- Program changes become effective January 1, 2024.
- Status term changes to be one year in length.
- Long-term loyalty translates to lifetime status.
- Status earnings will be based not on distance flown but instead on travel class and whether the flight is continental or intercontinental.
- Only flights on Lufthansa Group airlines earn Qualifying Points; meanwhile, flights on other Star Alliance partners earn Points but not Qualifying Points.
Lufthansa published a video on its website explaining the status program changes. Note that there are no changes to how award miles are earned.
The video that supposedly covers “all you need to know” about the new program includes very little in the way of details. Notably absent: how many points each possible flight earns. Perhaps Lufthansa deems these details as not important. Luckily, those key details live in another section of the Lufthansa website, as seen here:
Many Lufthansa Miles & More members likely question what exactly constitutes a continental flight versus an intercontinental flight. Lufthansa addresses a few special cases directly, though a way to check all cases exists. Toward the bottom of the Status Achievement section of the website, Lufthansa includes a calculator that also offers guidance on the continental/intercontinental split. Click on “What does intercontinental mean?” and enter the origin and destination countries to learn how Lufthansa treats a particular route.
What Does This Mean?
The change to status point earnings stands out as the biggest upcoming shift within the Miles & More program. Rather than moving to a spend-based program like its U.S. counterparts, Lufthansa settled on a different approach. Two travelers, flying the same cabin and same route, would earn the same number of status points regardless of how much each ticket cost. Under these conditions, business travelers who book flights on short notice (paying high prices for their tickets) would earn status points at the same rate as their leisure traveler counterparts who book far in advance.
Additionally, the most glaring opportunity to rack up the most Qualifying Points and HON Circle Points comes from short flights between Europe and nearby areas outside of Europe. Business class costs far less for short-haul flights than for long-haul flights. But, provided both routes are intercontinental, they earn the same amount of points.
Some airline programs group Israel into Europe for award chart purposes. However, Lufthansa does not, providing a nearby destination for inexpensive business-class flights. Travelers probably want to avoid travel to Israel in the near future given current events, but the point remains regarding (relatively) inexpensive short-haul business class flights:
The same applies to the example above, where the calculator said Panama to Colombia counts as intercontinental travel.
Changes shouldn't affect the monthly Mileage Bargains award deals. It remains to be seen whether the Miles & More expiration policy will change with these program updates.
Related: How To Get Airline Elite Status Without Flying
Final Thoughts
Even if Lufthansa's new status program video does not capture the finer details of the changes coming January 1, 2024, its website ultimately contains all relevant information.
Surprisingly, Lufthansa's changes do not redirect member efforts toward spending more with the airline group. Instead, flying premium cabins and flying intercontinental routes matter most. Additionally, flying Lufthansa Group airlines remains key to earning meaningful Miles & More status.
But, those based outside of Europe will likely find it difficult to achieve Miles & More status under the new program rules — at least without extensive travel to Europe in a calendar year.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.