Miles & More: Program & Cards Overview
IMPORTANT: Miles & More Dynamic Pricing (June 2025)
On June 3, 2025, Miles & More implemented dynamic pricing for Lufthansa/SWISS/Austrian and eliminated Meilenschnäppchen bargain awards. Award prices now vary - some flights are cheaper than before, while popular premium routes cost more. Partner airline awards increased 12-30% for premium cabins. Check prices for your specific route, and consider partner airlines (LOT, Singapore, ANA) for consistent value.
The Lufthansa “Miles & More” (M&M) program is a big player in Germany. Miles & More cards (now issued by Deutsche Bank as of October 2025, transitioning from DKB) are a common way to earn miles. Crucially, holding one of these cards is the easiest way to prevent your M&M miles from expiring (normally after 36 months). One of the easiest ways to get free M&M miles is via Payback.
Also, many vendors in Germany don’t accept American Express, so it’s always handy to have a MasterCard or VISA as well. That’s where I use the M&M Mastercard.
Using Your Card Abroad: When traveling, we often prefer the Miles & More Mastercard over American Express. The M&M card typically has a foreign exchange fee of around 2%, whereas the fee for American Express can be closer to 5%.
For an even better rate, you can top up a Revolut account using your M&M card via Apple Pay or Google Pay. While this gives you a superior exchange rate (often 0.5% to 1% better), you will forego earning miles on those transactions. It’s a trade-off between maximizing savings and maximizing miles.
Earning M&M Miles
Earning Directly with M&M Cards
Miles & More co-branded credit cards allow you to earn award miles directly with your everyday spending. The earning rate typically varies by card type (e.g., Blue, Gold) and whether it’s a private or business card. Business cards often offer a higher earning rate.
Key ways to earn with cards:
Partner Cards
If you have a partner, consider getting a partner card. This allows both of you to collect miles into the same account and can be a cost-effective way to ensure miles don’t expire for both individuals.
🔥 Payback Points to Miles & More: The Real Power Play!
The BEST way to earn M&M miles indirectly is through the Payback program. You earn Payback points on everyday shopping…
Collect Payback points year-round and transfer them to Miles & More, ideally during their 25% (or similar) transfer bonus events. These promotions make your Payback points significantly more valuable! For details on current bonuses and how this works, check the Payback Program Overview page.
Important Prerequisites
Schufa Score
Please be aware that applying for any credit card in Germany will involve a check of your Schufa score, Germany’s main credit rating agency. A good score is essential for approval.
Main Card Choices
DKB → Deutsche Bank Transition (October 2025)
Miles & More cards are now issued by Deutsche Bank (launched October 1, 2025). DKB cardholders must reapply - no automatic transfer. Deadlines: Status cards by Feb 28, 2026; Non-status by Apr 30, 2026. Given the June 2025 program changes, carefully evaluate if reapplying fits your travel patterns.
Here are the main card choices. Detailed information for each card can be found on their respective pages below.