Lufthansa Reveals Massive Changes To The Miles&More Program

Back in 2019, the Lufthansa Miles&More program announced that there will be changes in the program however, the new program was not implemented due to the pandemic.

Well, as of today, Lufthansa has now confirmed to members about the new program that will be in effect as of January 1, 2024. Let’s go over the details of the new Miles&More program.

Lufthansa Miles&More’s New Status Programme From 2024

After long years of rumors-only information about Lufthansa’s plan of introducing a new status qualification structure, the Miles&More program sent out emails to confirm those changes. In the email, the airline said:

In 2019, we announced that we would be revising our status programme – then everything changed.

On 1 January 2024, the modifications will finally be coming into effect. Our aim is to offer you an attractive and transparent programme – clear and simple. These changes will not affect the awards programme. You will still be able to earn award miles in the usual way.

Points system replaces status miles
In the future, rather than earning status miles, you will earn Points. The number of Points you earn on your flights will depend on just two criteria: the travel class and whether you are flying continental or intercontinental. The thresholds for achieving our frequent flyer status will also be adjusted in the process.

Achieving frequent flyer status
You can earn Points with the usual airlines – just like you previously earned status miles. To achieve frequent flyer status within the new programme, a certain amount of your flights must be operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Eurowings Discover and Air Dolomiti or the co-issuing Miles & More airline partners. You will continue to qualify as a HON Circle Member exclusively on flights in Business and First Class operated by the airlines mentioned above.

Earning period and term amended to one year
The term of your status will be at least one year. The period for earning the necessary Points will extend over one calendar year for any frequent flyer status. This will also apply to HON Circle Members.

Frequent Traveller Lifetime and Senator Lifetime awarded for outstanding loyalty
Our long-standing frequent flyers will be rewarded with Frequent Traveller Lifetime or Senator Lifetime status. This will be based on the sum of all Points earned on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Eurowings Discover, Air Dolomiti or the co-issuing Miles & More airline partners.

Programme becomes less complex
To simplify the programme, Miles & More Selections in its current form will be replaced by actively crediting benefits, such as eVouchers you can use to upgrade to a higher travel class, or Frequent Traveller and Senator partner cards. Status Stars, the Executive Bonus and the Senator Premium Award will also be discontinued.

Based on the explanation in the email, the program will be transparent. But what exactly has changed?

• Members will earn elite status based on earning ‘Status Points’
• The status will be valid for one year
• There will be a lifetime status
• There will be status threshold rewards

I will be explaining further about the above changes but you can also check out the details of the email at the Miles&More website with overviews of the new program.

Lufthansa’s Status Points System

Starting January 1, 2024, members will no longer earn status based on the distance flown instead, only two criteria will be used to determine the number of Points, Qualifying Points and HON Circle Points you earn: the travel class and whether it is a continental or intercontinental flight. These points will be fixed depending on the routes.

Miles&More also announced that the number of Points, Qualifying Points and HON Circle Points will be the same for all members, and there will be no Executive Bonus in the new Points system. However, bonuses will be still given based on the status of award miles.

• For economy class, members will earn:
  • 20 Points/20 Qualifying Points for continental flights
  • 60 Points/60 Qualifying Points for intercontinental flights
• For the premium economy class, members will earn:
  • 20 Points/20 Qualifying Points for continental flights
  • 80 Points/80 Qualifying Points for intercontinental flights
• For business class, members will earn:
  • 40 Points/40 Qualifying Points/40 HON Circle Points for continental flights
  • 200 Points/200 Qualifying Points/200 HON Circle Points for intercontinental flights
• For the first class, members will earn:
  • 40 Points/40 Qualifying Points/40 HON Circle Points for continental flights
  • 300 Points/300 Qualifying Points/300 HON Circle Points for intercontinental flights 

What’s The Difference Between Continental And Intercontinental Flights

Luftansa is describing the continental and intercontinental routes as follows:

• Continental flights are described as flights to/from the same continents. For example, flights within Europe are considered continental. However, there is an exception as  Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia count as part of the continental zone. 
• Intercontinental flights are described as flights to/from different continents. For example, a flight from Frankfurt to Hong Kong or Frankfurt to Dubai is considered intercontinental.

It’s quite funny to see Lufthansa trying to prevent members from doing mileage runs from North African countries since these cities offer great business class fares.🤣

How Do You Earn Points, Qualifying Points & HON Circle Points

Now here comes a little more information about the “Points” system. Under the new program, You will earn “Points” on flights operated by:

• Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Eurowings Discover and Air Dolomiti, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Luxair and all other Star Alliance airlines.

On the other hand, “Qualifying Points” and “HON Circle Points” can solely be earned on flights operated by Lufthansa Group:

• Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Eurowings Discover and Air Dolomiti, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Luxair.

Keep in mind that HON Circle Points are only credited for flights in Business and First Class.

How Do You Earn Miles&More Status

Lufthansa also revamped the requirements to earn elite status in the new program. As of January 1, 2022, members will achieve:

• Frequent Traveller status by earning 650 Points and 325 Qualifying Points within one calendar year.
• Senator status by earning 2,000 Points and 1,000 Qualifying Points within one calendar year.
• HON Circle status by earning 6,000 HON Circle Points solely on Lufthansa Group flights.

All the statuses earned will be valid for one year. This is one of the few drawbacks of the new program as the current program has two years validity.

Miles&More Introduces Lifetime Status

For the first time, Miles&More will be introducing lifetime status. Members who earn 30,000 Qualifying Points over the years, will receive Frequent Traveller Lifetime status and those who earn 40,000 Qualifying Points with 10 years of Senator or HON Circle status, will receive Senator Lifetime status.

Miles&More Status Threshold Rewards

Currently, once you have earned above a certain number of select or HON Circle miles, you can actively choose additional select benefits. Well, this feature will be no longer available as the program wants to go less complex. Instead:

• Frequent Traveller members with 800 Qualifying Points will have access to mileage exchange options.
• Senator members with:
  • 2,500 Qualifying Points will receive 2 eVouchers
  • 3,500 Qualifying Points will receive 15,000 award miles
  • 5,000 Qualifying Points will receive a Frequent Traveller partner card
• HON Circle members with:
  • 7,000 HON Circle Points receive 2 eVouchers
  • 8,500 HON Circle Points receive 30,000 award miles
  • 10,000 HON Circle Points receive extra 2 eVouchers
  • 11,500 HON Circle Points receive Frequent Traveller partner card
  • 13,000 HON Circle Points receive Senator partner card

Recognition of Miles&More Status Stars Points Will No Longer Valid

Until now, Miles&More elites with long-standing status received a special award called Status Stars. This status will allow members to access VIP events and many more. I don’t see the wow to this benefit as it is all about VIP event offers.

But as of January 1, 2024, there will be no more Status Stars Points instead this will replace lifetime status.

Summary

Lufthansa today, has officially published the details of the new program which will be in effect as of January 1, 2024. The new program will somewhat be easier for Miles&More members to reach the program’s top-tier HON Circle status compared to the current requirements. But on the downside, all statuses will be valid for one year.

Lufthansa’s goal is to aim for an attractive and transparent program for members nevertheless, the program has devaluated its award chart and gone revenue based leaving it a less engaging Star Alliance program. There is a much better program with elite tiers and award redemptions so unless you are all-in to Miles&More, I wouldn’t consider paying thousands of dollars for HON Circle which has one-year validity.

What are your thoughts about the new Miles&More program?