No more free status: deputies, senators and bagholders will have to get used to being in zone 5

As of Jan. 1, 2026, Italian frequent flyers will have to start doing the math in Points and QPoints, yes because With the move to Miles&More and finished the binge of office renewals and status matches you will have to start flying in earnest.

If for those who were already in the orbit of the German loyalty program, ITA's entry will mean a significant facilitator to renew the level, the same cannot be said for all the others who have always had some sort of fast track to obtain or renew status over the years.

No more privileges

Those who are "old enough" know very well that statuses in Millemiglia were raining down left and right: honorable, regional councilors, journalists, office-bearers...

With the end of Alitalia's loyalty program and the birth of Volare, things have not changed: ex officio renewals and even a "forever" card although the program did not provide for it and there was not the 10-year seniority that programs often require.

Lufthansa does not "give" cards to anyone

In 2022, when LH initiated the renewal of the Miles&More program, had also announced the end of privileges to the Honorable Members of the Bundestag. Until then elected officials were promoted to the level of Senator, then came the squeeze with a kind of parachute: for one year they were allowed to maintain the level by paying 170€/month, but from 2024 the card is only for those who deserve it in the field.

A problem even for ordinary mortals

Need 2000 points of which at least half are QPoints, that is, accumulated by flying LH group companies, to obtain or renew the Senator level.

That's 5 business class one way and back to intercontinental destinations.

Or 50 round-trip tickets Rome/Palermo or Milan/Brussels in economy, will not be easy at all when compared to ITA and Alitalia's old metrics.

Other than that LH does not offer any shortcuts through credit cards or anything else. Certainly the Mastercard Gold Miles&More helps keep points from expiring, and if they don't you are still a holder I recommend you become one before the end of the year so you can get a 9 thousand mile bonus, but especially put your points on ice right away, Without risking forgetting the deadline.

Of course Aegean has recently changed the requirements for those who want to get Gold Star Alliance, but in general many will have to deal with pen and paper (or an excel sheet) to draw the strategy, because as of Jan. 1 there is a race to renew the status until spring 2028.

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