By Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, Founder and CEO of The Points King. Last updated: October 16, 2026. Editorial Policy
Short answer: Lufthansa’s Miles & More is a middle-of-the-pack program in 2026. Independent sites value its miles at about 1.2 to 1.3 cents each (The Points Guy does not value it), against 1.5 cents for Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and 1.4 cents for Avios and Flying Blue. It loses points for three things: no transfer partners among the big US banks, high surcharges on Lufthansa awards, and dynamic award pricing since June 2025. Below, Miles & More is compared with 15 other airline programs, one section each.
This is the companion to our comparison of Lufthansa with 25 other airlines, which looks at the airlines themselves: seats, bags, punctuality and networks. This page looks only at the miles. We buy and sell miles in most of these programs, so we follow every change. Each program below shows two values: what independent sites say a mile is worth when used well, and what the airline itself gives you when you spend miles toward a cash fare.
How airline miles are valued
There are two honest ways to put a number on a mile, and they give very different answers.
- Third-party valuations. Sites such as The Points Guy, Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler and NerdWallet estimate what a mile is worth when you redeem it sensibly, usually for award flights. The Points Guy updates its numbers every month; the figures here are from October 1, 2026. These values are what most people mean by “a mile is worth 1.4 cents”.
- The airline’s own value. Most airlines let you use miles toward a cash fare, through features called Pay with Miles, Cash & Miles or Part Pay with Avios. These give a fixed or near-fixed value, and it is almost always lower: usually 0.5 to 1 cent per mile. Think of it as the floor.
The gap between the two is the reason award charts and sweet spots matter. A mile that buys a business class seat can be worth two or three times what the same mile is worth as a discount on a cash ticket. For more on the method, see how airline miles are valued.
Miles & More vs. other programs: value charts
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1.5¢ |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1.5¢ |
| Avios (BA, Qatar, Iberia, Finnair) | 1.4¢ |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1.4¢ |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1.3¢ |
| Miles & More (other sources) | 1.2 to 1.3¢ (not valued by TPG) |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1.2¢ |
| United MileagePlus | 1.2¢ |
| Emirates Skywards | 1.2¢ |
| Etihad Guest | 1.2¢ |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | 1.1¢ |
Source: The Points Guy monthly valuations, October 1, 2026. TPG uses one value for all Avios and does not value Miles & More, Royal Orchid Plus or Maharaja Club; the Miles & More figure is from Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler and One Mile at a Time.
Third-party value (cents per mile)Value when you pay with miles at the airline
| Delta SkyMiles | 1.2¢1.0¢ (Pay with Miles) |
| British Airways Avios | 1.4¢up to 1.3¢, falling to 0.5¢ |
| Qatar Avios | 1.4¢about 0.85¢ |
| Emirates Skywards | 1.2¢about 0.8¢ |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1.3¢0.77¢ (official) |
| Virgin Flying Club | 1.5¢0.73¢ (official) |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1.5¢about 0.7¢ (taxes and fees) |
| United MileagePlus | 1.2¢about 0.6 to 0.75¢ |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1.4¢about 0.5 to 0.9¢ |
| Iberia Avios | 1.4¢about 0.6¢ |
| Miles & More | 1.2 to 1.3¢under 0.5 euro cents (about 0.55¢) |
| Finnair Avios | 1.4¢about 0.4¢ |
Third-party values: The Points Guy (Miles & More: Upgraded Points and Frequent Miler). Airline values: official rates for Delta, KrisFlyer, Virgin and BA; tests and estimates by Head for Points, Prince of Travel, Live and Let’s Fly, AwardWallet and Frankfurtflyer for the rest. Foreign currencies converted at approximate October 2026 rates.
Summary table: Miles & More vs. 15 airline programs
| Program | Alliance | Value (TPG, Oct 2026) | Expiry | US transfer partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles & More | Star Alliance | 1.2 to 1.3¢ (not on TPG) | 36 months | None |
| United MileagePlus | Star Alliance | 1.2¢ | Never | Chase 1:1, Bilt 1:1 |
| Delta SkyMiles | SkyTeam | 1.2¢ | Never | Amex Membership Rewards 1:1 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance | 1.5¢ | After 18 months without activity | Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt, all 1:1 |
| British Airways Club (Avios) | Oneworld | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) | After 36 months without activity in the household account | Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | Oneworld | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) | After 36 months without activity | Amex, Capital One, Bilt and Citi (premium cards), all 1:1; Chase through BA |
| Emirates Skywards | None | 1.2¢ | 3 years | Bilt 1:1; Amex 5:4; Citi 1,000:800; Capital One 4:3 |
| Etihad Guest | None | 1.2¢ | After 18 months | Citi, Capital One and Bilt, all 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | SkyTeam | 1.5¢ (up from 1.45¢) | Never | Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt and Wells Fargo 1:1; Capital One through Virgin Red |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | Star Alliance | 1.1¢ | Fixed 3 years | Capital One, Bilt and Citi (premium cards), all 1:1 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | SkyTeam | 1.4¢ | 24 months, but any earning extends the whole balance (since May 4, 2026) | Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | Star Alliance | 1.3¢ | Fixed 3 years | Amex, Chase, Citi and Capital One, all 1:1 |
| Iberia Club (Avios) | Oneworld | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) | After 36 months without activity | Amex, Chase, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Finnair Plus (Avios) | Oneworld | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) | After 18 months without earning or spending | Capital One 1:1; others through BA |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | Star Alliance | Not valued by TPG | Fixed 3 years, no extension | Citi ThankYou (1:1 on premium cards) |
| Air India Maharaja Club | Star Alliance | Not valued by TPG | Never while active | None |
US credit card transfer partners
For most American travelers, the easiest way to collect airline miles is to transfer them from a credit card program. This is Miles & More’s biggest weakness in the US: none of the six major bank programs transfers to it.
| Program | Amex | Chase | Citi | Capital One | Bilt | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles & More | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| United MileagePlus | No | 1:1 | No | No | 1:1 | No |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | No | No | No | No | No |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | 1:1 | No | 1:1 | 1:1 | No |
| British Airways Avios | 1:1 | 1:1 | Through Qatar | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Qatar Avios | 1:1 | Through BA | 1:1 (premium cards) | 1:1 | 1:1 | Through BA |
| Emirates Skywards | 5:4 | No | 1,000:800 | 4:3 | 1:1 | No |
| Etihad Guest | No (ended June 2026) | No | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | No |
| Virgin Flying Club | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | Through Virgin Red | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | No | No | 1:1 (premium cards) | 1:1 | 1:1 | No |
| Flying Blue | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | No | No |
| Iberia Avios | 1:1 | 1:1 | No | Through BA | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Finnair Avios | Through BA | Through BA | No | 1:1 | Through BA | Through BA |
| Thai Royal Orchid Plus | No | No | 1:1 (premium cards) | No | No | No |
| Air India Maharaja Club | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Sources: Upgraded Points, Thrifty Traveler, Frequent Miler, The Points Guy, NerdWallet and One Mile at a Time transfer-partner pages, checked October 2026. Ratios change often; check your card issuer before you transfer.
Miles & More vs. United MileagePlus
MileagePlus is the program most US travelers compare with Miles & More, because United and Lufthansa are joint venture partners and you can earn either currency on either airline. For booking Lufthansa itself, MileagePlus is usually the better tool: United does not add carrier surcharges to most partner awards, so a Lufthansa business class seat booked with United miles costs far less in cash than the same seat booked with Miles & More.
| Miles & More | United MileagePlus | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | United, plus Star Alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.2¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.2¢ (Upgraded Points, NerdWallet); 1.3¢ (Frequent Miler, One Mile at a Time) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Money + Miles: no published rate; tests found about 0.6 to 0.75¢ |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid; since April 2, 2026 United cardholders earn about twice as much (6 vs. 3 miles per dollar at base level) |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Never |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Dynamic, no chart; cardholders get at least 10% off United awards since April 2026 |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | None on most partner awards, including Lufthansa |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Chase 1:1, Bilt 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, free pool of up to 5 members |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You live in Europe and fly Lufthansa Group airlines most
- You want status that works best in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Vienna
United MileagePlus is the better fit if:
- You live in the US and want miles that never expire
- You want to book Lufthansa awards without high surcharges
- You collect Chase or Bilt points
Sweet spots include partner business class without surcharges, such as ANA from San Francisco to Tokyo Haneda for about 110,000 miles one way. The biggest 2026 change is the split between cardholders and everyone else: without a United card, a base member now earns only 3 miles per dollar.
Official page: MileagePlus.
Miles & More vs. Delta SkyMiles
SkyMiles and Miles & More belong to rival alliances and do not work together at all: you cannot earn or spend SkyMiles on Lufthansa. SkyMiles has one feature Miles & More lacks: a guaranteed floor. Delta Amex cardholders can use Pay with Miles at a fixed 1 cent per mile toward any Delta fare.
| Miles & More | Delta SkyMiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Delta, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and other SkyTeam partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | SkyTeam |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.2¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.2¢ (Upgraded Points, NerdWallet); 1.1¢ (Frequent Miler, One Mile at a Time) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Pay with Miles: 1¢ per mile, for Delta Amex cardholders |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid: 5 to 11 miles per dollar by status; Basic Economy earns nothing |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Never |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fully dynamic, no award chart since 2015 |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Low from the US; $200 to $500+ in charges on many itineraries starting in Europe |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex Membership Rewards 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | No |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly Star Alliance or live in Europe
- You want award seats priced on a partner chart rather than fully dynamic pricing
Delta SkyMiles is the better fit if:
- You live near a Delta hub
- You want a guaranteed 1¢ floor through Pay with Miles
- You want miles that never expire
Sweet spots are short domestic flights from about 5,000 miles one way and SkyTeam partner flights that start outside North America. Changes in 2026: lower Choice Benefits for top elites from February 1, a free second checked bag for Delta Amex Gold, Platinum and Reserve cardholders from June 4, and a Basic fare in premium cabins from July 8.
Official page: SkyMiles; Delta Pay with Miles.
Miles & More vs. Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan shares the top spot in The Points Guy’s valuations for this comparison, at 1.5 cents per point, and it is the best way most North Americans book Lufthansa Group business class: Aeroplan uses a distance chart for partners and passes on no fuel surcharges, only a booking fee of about US$30. Aeroplan devalued its chart on June 1, 2026, but it is still ahead of Miles & More for Lufthansa awards.
| Miles & More | Air Canada Aeroplan | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Air Canada, plus Star Alliance and other partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.5¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.5¢ (Upgraded Points, Prince of Travel); 1.4¢ (Frequent Miler, One Mile at a Time); 1.1¢ (NerdWallet) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | No fixed rate toward Air Canada fares; points toward taxes and fees are worth about 1 Canadian cent (about 0.7¢) |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid on Air Canada since January 1, 2026 (1 point per Canadian dollar at base level); partners by distance |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 18 months without activity |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed distance chart for most partners; dynamic on Air Canada and some partners |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | None on partner awards; booking fee about US$30 per ticket |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family Sharing for up to 8 people |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly Lufthansa Group airlines often enough to keep status
- You live in Germany, Switzerland or Austria
Air Canada Aeroplan is the better fit if:
- You want to fly Lufthansa or SWISS business class on points
- You collect Amex, Chase, Capital One or Bilt points
- You want a 5,000-point stopover on one-way awards
The June 2026 chart change raised North America to Europe business class (4,001 to 6,000 miles) from 70,000 to 75,000 points and first class from 100,000 to 120,000. Earning and status became spend-based on January 1, 2026.
Official page: Aeroplan.
Miles & More vs. British Airways Club (Avios)
British Airways renamed its program The British Airways Club in April 2025, and it still uses Avios. Avios are among the easiest miles to collect in the US, with five bank transfer partners, but BA charges high surcharges on its own long-haul awards. On May 27, 2026 the cash fees on a New York Club World award rose from £399 to £499 each way.
| Miles & More | British Airways Club (Avios) | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | British Airways, plus Oneworld partners; Avios move freely to Qatar, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Oneworld |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.25¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.2¢ (NerdWallet, One Mile at a Time); 1.1¢ (Frequent Miler) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Part Pay with Avios: 1p per Avios (about 1.3¢) for the first block, falling to 0.4p (about 0.5¢) for larger amounts |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid: 6 to 9 Avios per pound by tier |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 36 months without activity in the household account |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Distance-based zones with peak and off-peak dates |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | High on BA long haul; lower on many partners |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Household Account for people at the same address |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want Star Alliance and Lufthansa Group status
- You fly mostly within continental Europe
British Airways Club (Avios) is the better fit if:
- You collect US credit card points
- You fly short-haul partner awards, which are cheap in Avios
- You want the flexibility of moving Avios between five airlines
BA raised award prices on its own and partner flights by about 8 to 10% for bookings from December 15, 2025. Short partner flights remain good value, for example Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Taipei.
Official page: British Airways Club.
Miles & More vs. Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Qatar’s Privilege Club also uses Avios, and you can move them one to one between Qatar and British Airways. Unlike BA, Qatar still awards miles by distance and booking class, not by price. Its best-known sweet spot is Qsuite business class: from 70,000 Avios one way between North America and Doha at the Saver level, booked more than 31 days ahead.
| Miles & More | Qatar Airways Privilege Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Qatar Airways, plus Oneworld partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Oneworld |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.25¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.5¢ (Prince of Travel, May 2026) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Avios Max toward fares: about 0.8 to 0.9¢ (Prince of Travel, at launch in 2023) |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and booking class, plus a tier bonus |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 36 months without activity; never for Platinum members |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed distance chart; higher prices on last-minute direct business awards |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Moderate on Qatar flights, lower than BA |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Capital One, Bilt and Citi (premium cards), all 1:1; Chase through BA |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family and Friends programme |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want nonstops from Germany and Star Alliance status
Qatar Airways Privilege Club is the better fit if:
- You want Qsuite business class on points
- You collect Amex, Citi, Capital One or Bilt points
Official page: Privilege Club.
Miles & More vs. Emirates Skywards
Skywards gives the widest access to Emirates first and business class award seats, but the cash side is expensive: surcharges on Emirates awards run about $450 roundtrip in economy between the US and Dubai and $1,700 or more in business and first. Transfers have also become worse: Chase dropped Emirates in October 2025, and Amex, Citi and Capital One now transfer at less than one to one.
| Miles & More | Emirates Skywards | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Emirates and flydubai, plus non-alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | None |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.2¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.1¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time); 1.0¢ (NerdWallet) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Cash+Miles: about 0.8¢ (TPG estimate, 2016; no current published rate) |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By route, cabin and fare type, plus a tier bonus |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | 3 years; from June 2027, 3 years from the month earned |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed but unpublished prices on Emirates; distance chart for partners |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | High on Emirates flights |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Bilt 1:1; Amex 5:4; Citi 1,000:800; Capital One 4:3 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, My Family for up to 8 people |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want lower surcharges and a wider alliance network
Emirates Skywards is the better fit if:
- You want Emirates first class with the A380 shower
- You fly fifth-freedom routes such as New York to Milan or Newark to Athens, from 17,500 miles in economy
Emirates raised premium-cabin award prices by about 15% on May 20, 2026; Newark to Athens in Business Flex Plus went from 87,000 to 100,000 miles.
Official page: Emirates Skywards.
Miles & More vs. Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest is useful mostly for its partner chart, which still offers good prices on American Airlines and other partners. Its miles are the most fragile in this comparison: they expire after 18 months, and only a flight extends them. Amex stopped transferring to Etihad in the US on June 30, 2026.
| Miles & More | Etihad Guest | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Etihad, plus non-alliance partners including American Airlines |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | None |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.2¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.4¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.1¢ (One Mile at a Time) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Miles + Cash: no published rate |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and booking class |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 18 months; only a flight extends them; never for Platinum and Emerald |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed Promo and Saver seats plus dynamic Standard seats; distance chart for partners |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Yes, on Etihad flights |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Citi, Capital One and Bilt, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family Membership |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want miles that last longer than 18 months
Etihad Guest is the better fit if:
- You want American Airlines business class on the Etihad partner chart, for example Charlotte to London for 80,000 miles
- You want the A380 First Apartment
Etihad cut status thresholds by 25% for existing members from March 18, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Official page: Etihad Guest.
Miles & More vs. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Flying Club is The Points Guy’s joint highest-valued program in this comparison: 1.5 cents per point in October 2026, up from 1.45. Its points never expire, and it has one of the best sweet spots in the hobby, ANA business class between the US West Coast and Japan. The catch is surcharges on Virgin’s own flights and on Delta One to Europe.
| Miles & More | Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air France, KLM, ANA and other partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | SkyTeam |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.5¢ (up from 1.45¢) |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.5¢ (Frequent Miler); 1.4¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.1¢ (One Mile at a Time); 0.8¢ (NerdWallet) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Points Plus Money: 3,000 points for £16.50 off (about 0.73¢ a point) |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and fare class |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Never |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Dynamic on Virgin flights since October 2024; charts for partners |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | High on Virgin flights and Delta One to Europe; low on ANA |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt and Wells Fargo 1:1; Capital One through Virgin Red |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, household account |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly in Europe and want Star Alliance status
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is the better fit if:
- You want ANA business class from 52,500 points or first class from 72,500 points one way
- You want points that never expire
- You collect almost any US bank’s points
Official page: Flying Club.
Miles & More vs. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Miles&Smiles and Miles & More are both Star Alliance programs, so each can book the other airline’s flights. Miles&Smiles still uses fixed zone charts, which makes it cheaper for many Star Alliance awards, but booking Lufthansa through it passes on Lufthansa’s high surcharges. Its miles expire after a fixed three years.
| Miles & More | Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Turkish Airlines, plus Star Alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.1¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time); 0.8¢ (NerdWallet) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Cash&Miles: up to 50% of the base fare; no published rate |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and fare class |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Fixed 3 years |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed zone charts |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | About $200 to $250 each way on Turkish transatlantic awards; partners’ surcharges passed on |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Capital One, Bilt and Citi (premium cards), all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family Membership for spouse and children |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly Lufthansa Group airlines often and want status recognized in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Vienna
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is the better fit if:
- You want North America to Istanbul business class from 65,000 miles one way
- You want US domestic United flights from 15,000 miles
On December 3, 2025, without notice, Turkish raised same-country partner awards by 50% (US domestic economy from 10,000 to 15,000 miles) and moved Hawaii to its own chart.
Official page: Miles&Smiles.
Miles & More vs. Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Flying Blue is the easiest airline program to fill from US cards: all six major transfer partners feed it one to one. It also has monthly Promo Rewards discounts. On September 8, 2026 it split Air France and KLM awards into Light, Standard and Flex prices, which raised costs by about 20 to 25% for members who want changeable tickets.
| Miles & More | Air France-KLM Flying Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Air France, KLM, plus SkyTeam and other partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | SkyTeam |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.4¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler, One Mile at a Time); 1.0¢ (NerdWallet) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Pay with Miles: no published rate; estimates range from about 0.5 to 0.9¢ |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid: 4 to 8 miles per euro by tier |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | 24 months, but any earning extends the whole balance (since May 4, 2026); never for Silver and above or cardholders |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Dynamic, with Light, Standard and Flex awards since September 2026 |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Yes on Air France and KLM; about $600 on a Paris to New York business award |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Flying Blue Family for up to 8 |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want Star Alliance or live near Frankfurt or Munich
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is the better fit if:
- You collect points from any US bank
- You want monthly Promo Rewards discounts
- You want a forgiving expiry rule
Official page: Flying Blue.
Miles & More vs. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer is the only way to book most Singapore Airlines Suites and business class awards, and Singapore adds no fuel surcharges to its own awards. It is also the clearest example of internal value in this guide: Singapore publishes a fixed rate of 100 miles to 1 Singapore dollar (about 0.77 US cents) when you pay toward a fare with miles. Its miles expire after a fixed three years.
| Miles & More | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Singapore Airlines and Scoot, plus Star Alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.3¢ |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.35¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.3¢ (One Mile at a Time); 1.2¢ (Prince of Travel) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | 100 miles = 1 Singapore dollar (about 0.77¢), official |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and fare class |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Fixed 3 years; one paid extension; no expiry for PPS Club members |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed Saver and Advantage chart, plus dynamic Access awards since November 2025 |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | None on Singapore Airlines awards |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Citi and Capital One, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Parents can link up to 5 children’s accounts |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly Lufthansa Group airlines from Europe most of the time
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is the better fit if:
- You want Singapore Airlines Suites or business class
- You want no surcharges on the operating airline’s awards
KrisFlyer’s November 1, 2025 chart raised Saver awards to Europe and the US by about 5% (US East Coast business from 111,500 to 117,000 miles) and Advantage awards by 10 to 15%.
Official page: KrisFlyer.
Miles & More vs. Iberia Club (Avios)
Iberia’s Avios are the same currency as British Airways’, but Iberia charges much lower surcharges on its own flights, about $100 to $200 on long haul. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to fly business class across the Atlantic on points, even after a 10 to 20% increase in May 2025. In April 2026 Iberia added a Family Account for up to 7 people who do not need to live together.
| Miles & More | Iberia Club (Avios) | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Iberia, plus Oneworld partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Oneworld |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.25¢ (Upgraded Points); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Part pay with Avios: no published rate; about 0.6¢ in a 2018 test |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid since April 2025 |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 36 months without activity |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Distance-based zones with peak and off-peak dates |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Modest on Iberia flights |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Amex, Chase, Bilt and Wells Fargo, all 1:1 |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family Account for up to 7 |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You fly to Central Europe and Asia rather than Spain
Iberia Club (Avios) is the better fit if:
- You want Madrid to Boston, New York or Washington in business from 40,500 Avios off-peak one way
- You want low surcharges with Avios
Official page: Iberia Club.
Miles & More vs. Finnair Plus (Avios)
Finnair Plus moved to Avios in 2024, so it shares a currency with BA, Iberia and Qatar. It has its own award charts, which can be cheaper than BA’s for Cathay Pacific. Watch the expiry: Finnair Avios expire after 18 months without activity, and moving Avios between programs does not count as activity.
| Miles & More | Finnair Plus (Avios) | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Finnair, plus Oneworld partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Oneworld |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | 1.4¢ (one value for all Avios) |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | 1.5¢ (Prince of Travel, May 2026); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Part pay with Avios: about 0.4¢ (2024 test) |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid: 6 Avios per euro at base level |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | After 18 months without earning or spending |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed zone charts |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Carrier charges of about €10 to €150 on Finnair flights |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Capital One 1:1; others through BA |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | No; paid transfers between members |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want miles that last 36 months
Finnair Plus (Avios) is the better fit if:
- You want Finnair business between the US and Helsinki for 62,500 Avios one way
- You want Cathay Pacific business for less than through BA
Finnair raised American Airlines partner awards by up to 50% in January 2026 and Alaska and Hawaiian awards by up to 110% in March 2026.
Official page: Finnair Plus.
Miles & More vs. Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Royal Orchid Plus is a Star Alliance program, like Miles & More, and has its own zone charts. None of the major valuation sites, including The Points Guy, puts a value on it. Its miles expire after a fixed three years with no extension, and in the US you can only transfer to it from Citi.
| Miles & More | Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Thai Airways, plus Star Alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | Not valued by TPG |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | Not valued by the major trackers |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Smart Miles Pay: no published rate |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By distance and booking class |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Fixed 3 years, no extension |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Fixed zone charts |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Yes on Thai flights |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | Citi ThankYou (1:1 on premium cards) |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | No |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want a program the major sites track and value
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus is the better fit if:
- You fly Thai often or live in Thailand
Asiana leaves Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, which ends earning and redeeming on Asiana. Thai announced easier status rules for August 2026 but postponed them.
Official page: Royal Orchid Plus.
Miles & More vs. Air India Maharaja Club
Maharaja Club is the one program in this guide that cut award prices across the board in 2026. On April 1, 2026 Air India cut most award prices: economy from the US to India now starts at 40,000 points one way, and Delhi to San Francisco in business fell from 185,000 to 130,000. Points never expire while you keep flying Air India, but no US bank transfers to it.
| Miles & More | Air India Maharaja Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Lufthansa Group airlines, ITA, LOT and Croatia, plus Star Alliance partners | Air India and Air India Express, plus Star Alliance partners |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| The Points Guy value (Oct 2026) | Not valued by TPG | Not valued by TPG |
| Other estimates | 1.3¢ (Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler); 1.2¢ (One Mile at a Time) | Not valued by the major US trackers; Indian sites use about 1 rupee per point |
| Paying with miles at the airline | Cash & Miles: no published rate; tests found under 0.5 euro cents a mile | Cash + Points: no published rate |
| How you earn on flights | By fare paid on Lufthansa Group tickets (since 2018); by distance and booking class on partners | By fare paid: 6 to 10 points per 100 rupees by tier |
| Expiry | 36 months; no expiry for status holders and some cardholders | Never while active; each Air India flight extends all points by 24 months |
| Award pricing | Dynamic on Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian since June 2025; fixed chart on Star Alliance partners | Region-based prices since April 2026 |
| Surcharges on awards | High on Lufthansa Group long haul; raised three times in 2026 | Not published |
| US card transfer partners | None of the big US banks; US co-brand Miles & More Mastercard (Barclays) | None |
| Family pooling | Family & Friends pool, limited to some countries of residence | Yes, Family Pool for up to 8 relatives |
Miles & More is the better fit if:
- You want status in Europe and wider Star Alliance partner coverage
Air India Maharaja Club is the better fit if:
- You fly between the US or Europe and India
- You want the April 2026 award prices
Official page: Maharaja Club.
Airlines that use Miles & More, and airlines with no program
Several airlines from our Lufthansa comparison do not have a program of their own to compare. SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, LOT, Croatia Airlines and, since April 1, 2026, ITA Airways all use Miles & More, so your miles and status work the same way on all of them.
Three have no frequent flyer program in the usual sense. easyJet offers a paid subscription, easyJet Plus, and Ryanair has no program. Condor has no program of its own, but you can earn Alaska Atmos Rewards or Emirates Skywards miles on its flights.
If you have miles you will not use
Many travelers end up with small balances in several of these programs, and some, like Etihad Guest, Finnair Plus and Aeroplan, expire quickly without activity. You have three options: book an award, move the miles to a family pool where the program allows it, or sell them. Selling is legal, but it breaks the rules of most programs and can get an account closed, so read what each program’s terms say about selling miles first.
| Program | If you will not use the miles |
|---|---|
| Miles & More | Sell Lufthansa Miles & More miles |
| Delta SkyMiles | Sell Delta SkyMiles |
| United MileagePlus | Sell United MileagePlus miles |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Sell Aeroplan points |
| British Airways Avios | Sell British Airways Avios |
| Emirates Skywards | Sell Emirates Skywards miles |
| Etihad Guest | Sell Etihad Guest miles |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | Sell Turkish Airlines miles |
| Flying Blue | Sell Flying Blue miles |
| Virgin Flying Club | Sell Virgin Atlantic points |
FAQ
How much is a Lufthansa Miles & More mile worth?
About 1.2 to 1.3 US cents when used for award flights, according to Upgraded Points, Frequent Miler and One Mile at a Time in 2026. The Points Guy does not publish a value. Used toward a cash fare through Cash & Miles, it is worth much less, under half a euro cent.
Which airline miles are worth the most in 2026?
Among the programs here, Air Canada Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, both at 1.5 cents per mile in The Points Guy’s October 2026 valuations, followed by Avios and Flying Blue at 1.4 cents.
What is the best way to book Lufthansa flights with miles?
For most US travelers, Air Canada Aeroplan or United MileagePlus, because neither adds Lufthansa’s high fuel surcharges to the award. Miles & More usually charges more in cash on the same flight.
Can I transfer credit card points to Miles & More?
Not from the main US programs: Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo do not transfer to it. In the US, the Miles & More Mastercard from Barclays is the main way to earn outside flying.
Do Miles & More miles expire?
Yes, after 36 months, unless you hold Frequent Traveller, Senator or HON Circle status, or qualify through a Miles & More credit card.
Which airline miles never expire?
Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Air India points do not expire while you keep flying Air India.
Sources
All sources were checked on October 16, 2026. Program pages are linked in each section.
- The Points Guy: monthly valuations, October 2026
- Upgraded Points: points and miles valuations, October 2026
- Frequent Miler: Reasonable Redemption Values
- NerdWallet: airline miles valuations, October 2026
- One Mile at a Time: value of points
- Prince of Travel: quarterly valuations
- Miles & More: mileage expiry
- One Mile at a Time: Miles & More dynamic award pricing
- Delta: Pay with Miles
- Singapore Airlines: pay with miles
- Virgin Atlantic: spend points
- Head for Points: Part Pay with Avios
- One Mile at a Time: Aeroplan award chart changes, June 2026
- AwardWallet: United earning changes, 2026
- One Mile at a Time: Flying Blue award changes, September 2026
- AwardWallet: Emirates Skywards changes, May 2026
- Air India: Maharaja Club changes, April 2026