There can be lots of value to having airline elite status, though it goes without saying that not all elite status levels are created equal. In this post I wanted to take a closer look at Lufthansa’s HON Circle elite status, which I’d argue is the world’s most exclusive airline elite tier with published qualification criteria.
Here in the United States, we have American Concierge Key, Delta 360, and United Global Services, but those are all invitation-only, with no published qualification requirements. Meanwhile Lufthansa HON Circle status has published requirements, it’s just a very hard status to earn (much like Air France-KLM Ultimate and British Airways Gold Guest List). So let’s go over all those details.
In this post:
How do you earn Lufthansa HON Circle status?
HON Circle is Lufthansa’s highest of three elite tiers, as it’s above Frequent Traveller and Senator status. While the status isn’t invitation-only, it’s probably tougher to earn than most status levels that are. Miles & More has changed how status is earned as of 2024, and it’s now based on earning a certain number of qualifying points (rather than being based on earning elite qualifying miles).
Below are the Miles & More elite status requirements as of 2024, with qualifying activity required per calendar year. As you can see, HON Circle status requires earning 6,000 qualifying points in a year.
Only points earned on Lufthansa Group carriers count toward HON Circle status. Furthermore, only flights in first and business class count toward HON Circle status, so economy and premium economy tickets can’t help you earn that status. As you can see, the requirements for the status are steep.
For context on how much flying that requires, the number of points earned varies based on the cabin you’re flying, and whether you’re flying a continental or intercontinental flight. Specifically:
- In business class you earn 40 qualifying points for continental and 200 qualifying points for intercontinental
- In first class you earn 40 qualifying points for continental and 300 qualifying points for intercontinental
For example, you’d need to fly 15 roundtrip intercontinental nonstop business class tickets annually to earn HON Circle status.
Obviously these status requirements are significant. Then again, if you frequently fly long haul in first or business class, then it’s definitely not unachievable.
What are the benefits of Lufthansa HON Circle status?
Generally European frequent flyer programs aren’t as generous as US programs (though I suppose the gap is narrowing), so the benefits aren’t that huge on paper. The benefits of HON Circle status include:
- A 25% mileage bonus
- Six eVouchers (it takes one to two vouchers per upgrade, so this equates to three to six upgrades every two years)
- Senator status for a spouse
- A meet-and-greet service in Frankfurt and at all intercontinental destinations (though this isn’t offered consistently)
- An additional baggage allowance
- First class check-in (though all Star Alliance Gold members get that)
- The highest priority for operational upgrades, and also special treatment from the crew
Oh, and most important of all, HON Circle members always get access to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Lufthansa First Class Lounges, and SWISS First Class Lounges, regardless of what cabin they’re flying.
That’s such a cool benefit. If I were a HON Circle member I’d probably book cheap tickets between Frankfurt and Munich every weekend just so I could hang out in those lounges. Then again, if I were a HON Circle member I’d probably be so tired of those lounges that I wouldn’t want to visit them anymore. 😉
To me the First Class Lounge access is the biggest perk of this status, given how exceptional Lufthansa First Lounges and SWISS First Lounges are.
It’s especially cool if you’re Frankfurt based, since you’ll never have to use the actual terminal again. You can just be dropped off at the First Class Terminal, enjoy the lounge, and then be driven to the plane. Oh, and think of the duck collection that you could rack up. What a perk!
How many Lufthansa HON Circle members are there?
I have no clue. I’ve seen estimates that there are somewhere around 5,000 members, which probably sounds about right to me. In my experience there are typically anywhere from one to five per long haul flight. It all depends how premium the route is, the day of the week, etc.
Where does the term HON Circle come from?
Why did Lufthansa decide to name its top-tier status HON Circle? That’s a great question, and there’s not necessarily a simple answer, as Lufthansa has never publicly explained the name. I think most people would assume that the “HON” is short for “honorable.”
Here’s what we do know about the HON Circle name:
- In the late 1990s, long before HON Circle was introduced, Lufthansa temporarily had the “HON Club,” which was an invitation-only status at the time
- In the early 2000s, SWISS’ frequent flyer program used to be known as SWISS Travel Club, with “SWISS Circle” being an invitation-only status at the time
SWISS joined Lufthansa Group in 2007, eventually leading to the joint Miles & More frequent flyer program. So it sure seems like Lufthansa essentially merged the names of HON Club and SWISS Circle to create HON Circle.
Am I jealous of Lufthansa HON Circle members?
On one hand I’m super jealous of HON Circle members, since they get to use the Lufthansa First Class Terminal so often. On the other hand, I feel bad for how much time most HON Circle members spend in Lufthansa business class. I imagine a small minority of HON Circle members exclusively fly paid first class, but the number of people who are in a position to do that is limited.
So instead most HON Circle members are spending most of their time in Lufthansa’s subpar business class. I suppose that will be improving soon with the introduction of Allegris, but that rollout won’t exactly be speedy.
Sure, SWISS’ business class is maybe a bit better, but ultimately these products still aren’t really competitive to the best out there. So it’s one thing if you work for a company with a corporate contract and flying Lufthansa business class is the only option, but if you have any flexibility, you’re giving up a better onboard experience by choosing to fly Lufthansa. I’d much rather fly business class on an airline with a better business class product and forgo the the first class ground experience, but that’s just me.
Bottom line
Miles & More HON Circle status is one of the most exclusive status levels out there, and earning it requires a lot of travel in premium cabins. While the perks aren’t that huge, access to first class lounges is a very nice benefit that’s especially useful if you’re based in Frankfurt, given the First Class Terminal. So the next time you’re on a flight with a HON Circle member, now you know just how much time they spend on the airline.
Are any OMAAT readers HON Circle members? If so, what has your experience been with the status?
"Only points earned on Lufthansa Group carriers count toward HON Circle status."
Correction: there are airlines that are not Lufthansa Group on which you can earn HON Circle Points. LOT Polish Airlines is one of them - and so is Luxair. Just to name two.
Like I have mention before, HON means Honorary Pin Holder, as they received a special pin for the lapel so they could be identified by LH staff.
Not personally a HON (for better or worse, since I don't have to fly LH ;) ), but have travelled once with someone that is one. The meet and greet while not consistently available at all outstations (and from what I've been told, rather rare at non-premium intercontinental outstations), can potentially have a lot of value. We had checked in online, but were arriving late because there was more traffic than usual on the way...
Not personally a HON (for better or worse, since I don't have to fly LH ;) ), but have travelled once with someone that is one. The meet and greet while not consistently available at all outstations (and from what I've been told, rather rare at non-premium intercontinental outstations), can potentially have a lot of value. We had checked in online, but were arriving late because there was more traffic than usual on the way to the airport. He called up the HON support line and let them know that we would be arriving very close to departure to see if something could be done... and to my surprise they told him that if he could make it to the airport before the scheduled *departure* time, they could hold the plane. We made it to the airport with 10 minutes to spare and someone was waiting at the departures curbside to escort us through security and onwards to the gate. We made it there with less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. The fact that upon us boarding they closed the doors and proceeded to taxi shortly thereafter, makes me pretty certain that we were the only reason the plane was departing slightly behind schedule (since neither the fuel truck nor the baggage tugs were there by the time we boarded).
For what it's worth all this happened at a mid-sized EU airport... so it may be that under exceptional circumstance you get a meet and greet also in intra-EU flights.
@Steve
When you‘re boarding a flight from the LH First Class Terminal in FRA you will always be chauffeured to the aircraft - no matter whether it has a gate or apron position. The First Class Terminal is just not connected to the other parts of the airport where the gates are. It also has its own security check and passport control for departures.
In the other main LH group hubs MUC, ZRH,...
@Steve
When you‘re boarding a flight from the LH First Class Terminal in FRA you will always be chauffeured to the aircraft - no matter whether it has a gate or apron position. The First Class Terminal is just not connected to the other parts of the airport where the gates are. It also has its own security check and passport control for departures.
In the other main LH group hubs MUC, ZRH, VIE you have a decent (VIE) to extremely decent (MUC, ZRH) First Class lounge and at all three hubs you will be chauffeured to the aircraft if the flight leaves from an apron position. If it has a gate position you will need to make the way to the gate yourself. In rare case some staff will escort you to make sure you get to the top of any lines and don’t have to wait.
Upon arrival it is more or less the same. You will be picked up at the aircraft if parked on an apron position but will need to find your way to the lounge (or exit) when arriving at a gate position.
Unfortunately LH will not bring you to the First Class terminal in FRA as it is not built for guests arriving airside.
One more good thing of the LH First Class Terminal is their security check where I never ever needed to wait. When arriving from certain international destinations you have to go through security when you want to connect in FRA - which sometimes can be quite time-consuming. I always exit the airport building with automated passport control and take the short walk to the First Class terminal with no wait at security. That short walk freshens you up after sitting hours over hours on a long haul flight.
Met this guy on an LH F flight Monday, he fles LH/LX F every 1,5 week between Munich and the east coast. Didn't know miles could be redeemed for LH F. HON Circle oozed of him
@Ben: as HON (since 2024) you only get 4 upgrade vouchers, but you get them every year.
For me the biggest perk is getting driven to AND picked up from your plane with a limo, if you arrive/depart on an apron position. Sure beats the awful bus transfer and helps tremendously if you have a tight connection.
15 intercontinental round trips on LH J or 75 round trips within Europe on J sounds like pure torture. And if you fly LH F frequently then the program benefits are of little use to you..,
I imagine this status is filled with McKinsey and BCG consultants who weekly fly between their offices and clients in Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna and Hamburg, and occasionally fly intercontinental. I don't envy their life at all.
Given the current state of the consulting industry many of them probably won’t qualify for next year. The FRA F terminal is about to get much less busy.
Over the last year and a half I have observed the opposite. It has become much more busy (crowded would not be the right word) in the LH F terminal.