Lufthansa revolutionizes Miles&More, getting status will (finally) be easier. However.

The revolution had been announced in 2019, then what we all know happened and the German group had postponed the entry into force of the new regulation Of the frequent flyer program. Today, 3 years later, it is time for a skin change.

After the announcement of the €2 billion monstrous investment for the renewal of the German carrier's fleet cabins, with the introduction of the new First Class cabin and the long-awaited debut of the new business class, here's how the loyalty program of all group companies will change.

On January 1, 2024, the new Miles&More is born.

It is not a simple redesign, but a complete overhaul in the name of simplification. This was announced by Gerald Schloegl, vp of digital channel solutions & commerce during last weeks Altitude 42 event in Dubai.

The revolution is based on two pillars:

1. It will be much easier for everyone to obtain/renew status
2. Anyone who flies Lufthansa Group airlines will be rewarded more

The real news is that you will be able to go up to the HON Circle level, the highest in frequent flyer Miles&more even flying only in economy. To date, it was impossible to do so, since points were only obtained by flying in biz and first. Of course, it will take many flights, but it is absolutely doable.

On the flip side, however. the card will be valid for 12 months and no longer 24 as is the case today.

Goodbye qualifying miles, welcome qualifying points

Those who read TFC often know my preferences, and when it comes to how statuses are obtained in airlines, I am a fan of systems a la Executive Club or to the Flying Blue, rather than the old mode of qualifying miles such as ITA's Volare or precisely the old Miles&more.

The beauty of this system is that the passenger knows full well how many points he will earn from a flight, how many flights it takes to achieve status and/or level up.

The distinction will be by class only (economy, premium, business and First) with only one distinction based on the type of flight: continental and intercontinental. There will be no distinction in terms of tariff, super basic generates the same points as full flex.

Continental is defined as a flight that takes off and lands on the same continent, otherwise it will be an intercontinental flight.

• In economy You will earn 5 points on a continental flight and 15 points for an intercontinental flight
• In premium economy You will earn 5 points in the first case and 20 points in the second case
• In business class You will earn 10 points for an intra-EU flight and 50 points for an intercontinental flight
• First class You will earn 10 points on short routes and 70 points for intercontinental

Simple, straightforward. You can tell in 10 minutes and in 20 you can define with minimal margin of error how many flights it takes to achieve one of the 3 statuses.

Qualifying points and non-qualifying points

With this distinction Lufthansa intends to reward its passengers, that is, those who fly primarily with group airlines:

• Air Dolomiti
• Austrian Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Eurowings
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Luxair
• Lufthansa
• Swiss

If you fly with these companies you will earn qualifying points, on the contrary if you travel with partner carriers or Star Alliance members you will accumulate only basic points, which are useful for obtaining status but of "less" value. Many carriers, for example BA, do not allow passengers to gain status only by flying with partners, you need a minimum of segments flown on BA machines otherwise you don't get the level.

Lufthansa does the same thing by forcing Miles&More members to accumulate a minimum number of qualifying points.

New requirements for status

• Frequent Traveller 160 points And half of these must be qualifying points
• Senator 480 points And half of these must be qualifying points
• HON Circle will require 1,500 points, which must all be qualifying points

As you can see doing, the bill is simple: with a round-trip ticket from Milan to New York, via Frankfurt or Munich, you will get 120 points, it will then be possible to become a senator with only 4 intercontinental flights a/r. The good thing is that this mode Paves the way for unthinkable milesrun to date to achieve status with Miles&More.

For us Italians it is even easier since even a Milan/Cairo ticket will allow you to accumulate the same qualifying points as a Milan/Bangkok.

Lifetime status

Many companies have for years had the lifetime status, or the card that is recognized for life after years of high attendance. For Lufthansa this will be a first.

Spoiler alert: you will not be able to obtain, at this time, HON Circle status for life

1. Frequent Traveller status for life Can be achieved with 7,500 qualifying points
2. The status of senator for life can be achieved with 10,000 qualifying points in addition to a minimum tenure of 10 years as a Senator or HON Circle

In either case, only qualifying points will count toward lifetime status, Lufthansa does not forget and will not let old status holders down, so the count for "lifetime" cards will be retroactive.

In conclusion

I've never been a fan of Lufthansa, but I have to say that with the two pieces of news announced in these hours I might start to give the German carrier a chance. Of course, in the ITA divestment I was rooting for MSC/LH, but that is a different story, now the loyalty program is simple to understand and most importantly easily scalable, with a little cunning it is possible to achieve very generous results.