Getting the best use from Miles & More miles

I write quite a bit about Miles & More, the Lufthansa frequent flyer scheme, on Head for Points as it is the logical place for a UK reader to put their miles from Star Alliance flights.

It is not necessarily the best place, but that is a different article for a different day.  I cover much of the ground on picking the best Star Alliance frequent flyer scheme in this article.

Whilst I covered my recent Lufthansa First Class redemption (see seat photo above), I haven’t written much about how to get the best from the Miles & More programme.  That’s why a post from US site MileValue caught my eye.

It is worth a look if you’re looking to redeem Miles & More miles.  For example, I didn’t know that there are no fuel surcharges via Miles & More when you fly on US Airways to Europe.  I had also forgotten that LOT, the Polish airline, is now flying 787’s to some destinations with fully flat beds in business class.

Ignore all the credit card references in that article, as they relate to the US credit card only.  The UK Miles & More card is now back to its pathetic 1,500 mile sign-up bonus!  You could, however, get 25,000 Miles & More miles by getting the SPG Amex under the current 20,000 bonus points sign-up deal and transferring them to Miles & More.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (April 2025)

None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card. 

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.

There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.

The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review