It’s happening. Now that many major U.S. airlines have gone revenue-based, European carriers are joining the party. Miles & More, Lufthansa’s frequent-flier program, has announced it’s switching the mileage earning structure on its flights purchased on or after March 12.
Revenue-based mileage earning means that the number of redeemable flights awarded is tied directly to how much an airline ticket costs. All Lufthansa Group airlines and partners will be affected, including Lufthansa, Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines Group, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, SWISS International Air Lines, Luxair and LOT Polish Airlines.
Lufthansa Group fliers who credit flights to Miles & More will earn 4X miles per euro spent on fares. Elite members will earn more miles based on their status and the airline booked.
- Elite members: 6X miles per €1 spent with Adria, Air Canada, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, SWISS and United Airlines
- Elite members: 5X miles per €1 spent with Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and all other Miles & More partners
- Members with no status: 4X miles per €1 spent with all airlines
Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle members will earn the same number of miles. Nothing else, such as award charts or elite status qualification, is changing for Miles & More program.
Miles & More isn’t copying the Big Three U.S. airlines exactly. Miles & More will award redeemable miles on the fare plus surcharges (but not taxes), whereas U.S.-based carriers award redeemable miles on the base fare only. Additionally, elite members on U.S. airlines earn a different number of miles based on their tier, whereas Lufthansa elites will earn the same number, no matter the status tier.
The new earning rates certainly will hurt some travelers and benefit others. Short-haul flights will likely see an increase in redeemable mileage earning, and premium-cabin tickets will likely take a hit.
Airline tickets purchased before March 12, even for travel after that date, will earn miles as per current mileage earning structure.
KLM and Air France recently announced they were switching to a revenue-based earning structure as well. Time will tell whether the other European airlines will follow suit or remain mileage-based.
Does the new earning structure of the Miles & More program affect you?