Miles & More, the loyalty program of Lufthansa Group, has announced significant changes to its award flight system that will take effect from June 3, 2025. Miles & More program is moving to dynamic award pricing starting this June. These updates represent a major shift in how members can redeem their miles, particularly affecting flights on Lufthansa Group airlines while also adjusting the fixed award chart for Star Alliance partners.
What is Miles & More?
Miles & More is one of Europe’s leading frequent flyer and awards programs, serving as the loyalty program for Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and several other carriers. With millions of members worldwide, the program allows travelers to earn and redeem miles across various airlines and partners.
Miles & More are typically hard to earn. Due to German regulations, Miles&More is not a transfer partner of any bank or hotel programs. You can earn points only through co-branded cards like Axis Bank Miles & More Credit Card or buying them directly through Bundles&Go.
The Shift to Dynamic Pricing
Since 2019, Lufthansa is following a fixed region based award chart to their award flights. This means that if you want to fly from India to Europe, you will need fixed number of miles. You can take a look at the chart here. In a growing industry trend, Miles & More is moving from a fixed award chart to a dynamic pricing model for flights on Lufthansa Group airlines. This follows similar moves by other major programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which recently implemented dynamic pricing for its own flights.
What's Changing for Lufthansa Group Airlines
For Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City and SWISS, the mileage amounts will no longer be determined by a fixed chart. Instead, the miles required will be calculated based on:
- The fare you choose
- Travel class
- Route
- Flight timing
- When you book
This means award prices will fluctuate similar to cash fares, potentially offering lower redemption rates during off-peak times but higher rates during peak travel periods.
Additionally, Miles & More will introduce more fare options:
- Within Europe: Light, Classic, and Flex fares
- Intercontinental flights: Light, Basic, Basic Plus and Flex fares
Each fare category will offer different baggage allowances, seating options, and cancellation/rebooking policies. Status benefits will also vary based on the award fare selected.
Products like Flex Plus and mileage bargains will be discontinued for these airlines.
Changes to Star Alliance and Partner Award Chart
While the Lufthansa Group airlines are moving to dynamic pricing, Miles & More will maintain a fixed award chart for Star Alliance and other airline partners. However, this chart is also seeing its first update since 2019, with adjustments to mileage requirements across different regions and classes.
Impact for Indians
For travelers flying to and from India, the changes are relatively moderate:
- Economy Class: Minimal or positive changes
- Business Class: Moderate increases, especially for long-haul routes
- First Class: More substantial increases reflecting the premium nature of the service
Have a look at why I love Miles & More as a points & miles junkie. Here is the comparison for old vs new award chart.
Thankfully my favourite redemption is not impacted much. Japan in just 75k miles return business class from anywhere in India is a sweet spot. You can easily redeem that in under ₹ 1L by buying the miles
Conclusion
The program’s decision to maintain a fixed award chart for partner airlines while implementing dynamic pricing for its own carriers creates a hybrid model that balances predictability with market-responsive pricing. It will be a humongous task for an airline to change award pricing basis the partner revenue fare so it makes sense to keep fixed award for partners. For Indians, it’s not as brutal as it sounds but we will see more when they launch it for their own airlines.
What do you think of this devaluation?