As of June 3, 2025, massive changes are coming to the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More program, as it will adopt dynamic award pricing. Based on what we know so far, it seems like Miles & More will also do so in the worst way possible.
I’m not sure what’s more disappointing — the actual changes, or Lufthansa’s gaslighting in announcing these changes. Lufthansa assures us that these are “exciting changes,” and the company’s “goal is to continually improve what [they] offer [us].” This reminds me of when Lufthansa eliminated free food and drinks in short haul economy, claiming it was due to “customer feedback.”
In this post:
Lufthansa adopts dynamic award pricing as of June 2025
For tickets booked as of June 3, 2025, the Lufthansa Miles & More program will be getting a full overhaul when it comes to mileage redemptions. There are several components to this, so let’s discuss them, roughly in order of importance.
First of all, for flights on Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian, there will no longer be an award chart with fixed pricing. Instead, award pricing will be based on the ticket price set by the airline, and miles will then be calculated on the basis of the fare you choose, travel class, route, etc.
Award flight options will also align with the carrier’s traditional fare bundles, so award flights will book into Light, Classic, or Flex fares for flights within Europe, and Light, Basic, Basic Plus, and Flex fares, for intercontinental flights. The fare bundle you book will determine your seating inclusions, baggage policy, change and cancelation policy, etc. Mileage bargain awards will also be eliminated, since award pricing is going dynamic.
Here’s the part that’s worst of all, though, if you ask me. Typically when airlines switch to dynamic award pricing, the selling point is that you can basically book any seat on any flight. That’s not the case here. Miles & More will continue to use the same saver level award availability fare buckets (“O” for first class, “I” for business class, and “X” for economy class) in determining whether miles can be redeemed for a flight.
The cost of a flight in miles will be based on what the revenue fare would be at the time that you book. It’s not yet clear if each mile will be worth a certain amount toward a ticket, or if there’s some other math involved. I’d have to assume that it’s the latter, or else first class awards would cost a million miles or more. Regardless, this means that the cost of a particular award seat will constantly be changing.
Miles & More hasn’t yet shared what the new pricing ranges will be, or how much each mile will be worth. However, the program shares the following about future award pricing on Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian:
- Some economy awards within Europe and in select intercontinental markets will require fewer miles; we’ll see a “slight increase” in mileage amounts for flights to the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, etc.
- Some premium economy awards will maintain the current pricing, while most regions will see an increase in premium economy pricing
- Business class awards within Europe will largely maintain the same pricing, while business class awards to other regions will require more miles
- First class awards will become more expensive across the board, “due to the exclusive nature of these offers”
When it comes to partner awards (on airlines other than Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian), there’s also a new award chart, with pricing increasing in a majority of situations (though few awards are getting cheaper). Below is the new Miles & More partner award chart, as of June 3, 2025.
Below is the current Miles & More partner award chart, through June 2, 2025.
Just to look at awards between Europe and North America, for roundtrip travel:
- Economy awards are decreasing from 60,000 miles to 50,000 miles (so that’s at least good news)
- Premium economy awards are increasing from 80,000 miles to 85,000 miles
- Business class awards are increasing from 112,000 miles to 125,000 miles
- First class awards are increasing from 182,000 miles to 215,000 miles
My take on these Miles & More program changes
Let me start by saying that I’ll reserve final judgment about these changes until the actual new pricing goes into effect, since we don’t know just how big the price increases will be. These changes will be somewhere between “bad” and “absolutely awful,” though it remains to be seen where in that range this falls.
Honestly, the thing that bothers me most here is the way these changes are communicated. And that’s saying something, because the changes as such really bother me as well. 😉 Like, c’mon, I just received an email from Lufthansa about “Exciting changes to your Award Flights from June 2025.” How stupid does Lufthansa think its customers are? What kind of gaslighting is this?
The airline is increasing partner award costs, increasing most long haul award costs, eliminating mileage bargains, etc… and they’re just going to tell us how exciting these changes are? Look, if you’re going to make negative changes, that’s fine (I guess), but at least communicate honestly. Or, like, at least come up with some spin that isn’t an outright fabrication.
Anyway, while I prefer fixed award charts to dynamic award pricing, the reality is that the latter doesn’t always have to be had. For example, we recently saw Virgin Atlantic Flying Club introduce dynamic award pricing, and for many, it’s actually a positive change, including for some long haul business class awards.
But based on what we know, the Miles & More execution is the worst version imaginable — members will still be restricted to saver level award availability, pricing will be directly tied to the revenue cost being charged for a particular ticket, and many awards will essentially be “basic” tickets, that lack flexibility or perks.
So yeah, if you want to redeem your Miles & More miles for intra-Europe flights that would retail for $100, maybe you’ll come out ahead. For everyone else… probably not so much.
Bottom line
As of June 2025, Lufthansa’s Miles & More program is moving to dynamic award pricing. The program will still limit members to saver level award availability, but the pricing of those awards will be tied to how much a ticket would cost in cash. Furthermore, partner award costs are being increased as well.
While we’ll have to wait until the changes are live for the full details, this doesn’t sound promising for those who like to maximize their miles. And the way that Miles & More is communicating these changes will also leave a bad taste in the mouth of many…
What do you make of these Miles & More program changes?
This is definitely worse. Already bad in terms of availability. I’ve tried to use my 218k Miles & More miles for a return Business award ticket from Bangkok to ANY of the European cities Star Alliance airports with total flexibility on departure dates (for a 7-10 day trip) between March and December 2025 and there is ZERO availability.Yup nada on the App or Web. The program totally sucks. Ben, any observations on this (lack of) availability please?
Also the Flex Plus, where you can pay the airline surcharges with miles ( which was a good deal in my opinion , when crossing the Atlantic), will be eliminated. So at least you pay 1000 € for a C return from Europe to US
They spent the last few years selling Bundles, and now they are devaluing those. Doesn't Germany have strict consumer protection laws, the very laws they were getting around by selling Bundles?
I do like the VS reward pricing. It's true that westbound flights are usually far cheaper redemptions than eastbound ones, but firstly Virgin isn't the only airline in the world (so you can use Virgin only in the direction that delivers value), and secondly you have to look at the average cost for your round trip (if you're getting a great deal westbound it doesn't matter if you overpay a bit eastbound).
I'm going R/T...
I do like the VS reward pricing. It's true that westbound flights are usually far cheaper redemptions than eastbound ones, but firstly Virgin isn't the only airline in the world (so you can use Virgin only in the direction that delivers value), and secondly you have to look at the average cost for your round trip (if you're getting a great deal westbound it doesn't matter if you overpay a bit eastbound).
I'm going R/T to MCO, paying 26k westbound in Upper Class, and 40k eastbound in Premium Economy. I'm sure this will make some on here gasp in shock but it works for me (I don't really care about a flat bed for shorter night flights, even if I could theoretically sleep - weirdly a day flight is more important to me)!
Not sure what's wrong with me
I flew this airline in First Class once based on all of Ben's positive blog reports
here.I disliked the experience (seat was fair enough) the food was terrible for dinner service.One of the selections was a hamburger??No airline can do a good burger onboard ever!
The positives First Class lounge in Frankfurt outstanding.But I had to beg for access as few knew how to get there...
Not sure what's wrong with me
I flew this airline in First Class once based on all of Ben's positive blog reports
here.I disliked the experience (seat was fair enough) the food was terrible for dinner service.One of the selections was a hamburger??No airline can do a good burger onboard ever!
The positives First Class lounge in Frankfurt outstanding.But I had to beg for access as few knew how to get there from the regular Luf terminal club lounge .
I asked in the lounge and had to escalate to a manager.
The private driver to the door of the plane also great.Other than that I would not bother especially with their expiring miles and now the deal breaker dynamic pricing.
Hard Pass! Wish them well good luck
Not sure you saw this part…
« Status benefits
For bookings from 3 June 2025, your status benefits as a frequent flyer will depend on the fare you choose for your Award Flight as well as the terms and conditions on which the airline fares are based. »
Lufthansa seems to forget that status traveller Do contribute to their bottom line….
Will surely reconsider my options as hard product is not at par at the moment
I have been a continuous HON Circle member with Lufthansa since 2007.
I truly love LH, and even more so LX and OS, but I am growing increasingly tired and frustrated with being treated as if I were insignificant. I am now seriously considering prioritizing another airline group.
Moreover, I personally know four other HON Circle members who are making the same decision as I am.
Until we have another Recession and they have to compete without a huge ‘normie’ demand eg from retired pensioners and remote workers paying happily for premium travel, sorry but they really don’t care about our loyalty anymore, beyond from the big corporate customers. .
,,Economy awards are increasing from 50,000 miles to 60,000 miles" in this case it's accually going from 60k to 50k
Alliances need to be cancelled. Open Sky agreements cancelled. Interlining worked if penalties are applied. The present set up does not encourage competition. Hubs in alliances are nothing else but collusion cesspools. Loyalty went down the drain because of everyone was sold on convenience whereas the planes nowadays move cost efficient. Thy can fly to smaller airports. So why do we still have alliances based on Hub services?
"Star Alliance is truly showing its superiority over SkyTeam"
You finally realized
Blud didn't get it and thinks he's the winner here
These changes are extremely brutal.
Especially if you consider, that M&M would open up literally any flight for elites.
I don’t care, I have not been able to redeem a single mile since 2017 because every attempt has been unsuccessful. Lufthansa’s long-haul service is not very good, so if I have to contend with poor service, I can also travel on airlines offering lower fare. But I agree that the presentation of the changes as “exciting” is cynical and disrespectful.
I recently flew onboard a LH A333 transatlantic, and it was probably the worst “business class” flight I’ve ever had. Awful seat (definitely the worst in the sky) and mediocre food/drink. Isn’t the airline humiliated to fly planes that haven’t been updated in 20 + years?
Ben, this isn't gaslighting, these really are exciting changes. You just have to ask who are these changes exciting for ;). I'm sure Lufthansa's revenue management department is breaking out the champagne.
That is, until they realize months down the line that they likely shot themselves in the foot when they lose business to other airlines.
They won't be losing business over this. The LH group has a stranglehold on Europe and they know it.
Ben, will this change how LH releases award inventory to partner programs like UA or AC? Or will they presumably still have some subset of seats released as saver awards to partners?
I'll bet the next shoe to drop . . . if dropped quietly . . . will be the elimination of partner access to all first class award inventory. It will be business class at best and even that will be reduced. Some hobbyists might still have utility for Lufthansa but I think most will move on.
I don't share the excitement of the 'community' about LH F (haven't flown LX F so I don't have an opinion on that). It's not a bad way to travel, but I have had better experiences in business class with other airlines so I cannot justify paying much extra and/or going out of my way for it.
Totally agree with Ben.
The communication on these changes is catastrophic. Customers are going to pay (much) more for a lower service, and this is presented like a great opportunity for our loyal customers. What a joke.
Over-engineerd pricing policy which noone understands is not a surprised from LH. But this communication is revolting (I am still a SEN, but I am now switching away from LH and M&M). Can’t stand them anymore.
Switching away from LH to...? (curious fellow SEN with similar thoughts)
SQ as most of my travel is between Europe and Asia
Any news on the impact this would have on award pricing via Aeroplan and UAMP?
In the recent past, there have been reports of partners having reduced access to award inventory.
Reduced access at previous prices, or reduced availability at new prices?
OMG... I guess nobody wanted to use "Cash & Miles" and now they want to force people to use it in some form or another.
Dynamic pricing may not even be such a bad thing, however knowing LH for decades, it will not be very transparent and will try to minimise the value of your miles even while you are searching and making the booking - AI has some tricks in its sleeve here.
Time to check what to do NOW with the existing miles, still quite some to use...
M&M is a pretty crappy program but I got a lot of value from them last year given my travel patterns. I channeled all my CC points there and also bought about 300K miles.
I decided to stay away from the program this year based on a hunch, which now seems like a good call. I live in an LH hub but will do my very best to not spend any money with them.
It’s so exciting to pay more and receive less from a crap airline like LH. Surely this move was made based on customer feedback and to improve their service. NOT.
I am flying on LH from CMN-FRA-AMS, Guess I'll use my on UA FF# instead,
it looks bad but i'll wait to see exactly how the dynamic pricing looks like. But aligning award seats with the actual price is rather brutal. That would mean that last minute tickets like just a few days out will be very pricey and that's horrible for those of us who tend to book rather late.
M&M has been a worthless program for many many years. I have tons of miles but whenever I want to use them there are no award seats available. I nowadays avoid Lufthansa whenever possible and no longer care about loyalty programs. Just book the best value for each flight.
Availability with Miles 'n More is indeed an issue larger than this devaluation.
While I am no big fan of these changes myself, I am not sure I would call them brutal or awful yet with that still limited amount of information.
Essentially they align it mostly (except maybe availability) with standard industry practice like the ones of United/Delta/Flying Blue etc. And this way later than these competitors did. Not sure what the constant blaming of LH brings.
And re the bad service that others are...
While I am no big fan of these changes myself, I am not sure I would call them brutal or awful yet with that still limited amount of information.
Essentially they align it mostly (except maybe availability) with standard industry practice like the ones of United/Delta/Flying Blue etc. And this way later than these competitors did. Not sure what the constant blaming of LH brings.
And re the bad service that others are claiming LH to have, maybe it’s the half German in me but I prefer a consistent service rather than a fake “hey how are you” while getting a pack of crisps handed over
Being fully of Germanic heritage, I still find LH's customer "service" to be a cruel euphemism for what they reliably deliver. Makes the DMV feel like a trip to the spa at the du Cap.
Of all the bad customer service experiences I've ever had with airlines at least the others attempted a half hearted customer save. LH didn't even bother to say, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
I'm one of the few who wasn't happy with the VS changes, mainly because I like to travel last minute and nowadays all the VS award prices are so high last minute in economy and premium cabins. If you're a planner, then yes the changes are positive for you since it's possible to snag a 29k upper class seat in advance (I've redeemed 2 roundtrip tix to London at this rate.) In the past though,...
I'm one of the few who wasn't happy with the VS changes, mainly because I like to travel last minute and nowadays all the VS award prices are so high last minute in economy and premium cabins. If you're a planner, then yes the changes are positive for you since it's possible to snag a 29k upper class seat in advance (I've redeemed 2 roundtrip tix to London at this rate.) In the past though, it was possible to fly to London last minute and only pay 6k-10k VS miles + $150 in economy which I thought was a great deal and easy to get.
consistent with the German perspective on customer service, where the customer exists to serve the business.
Airplane loyalty programs are dead.
Will this also affect Aeroplan awards?
No, of course not. Aeroplan is not Miles&More
Reports suggest that Lufthansa has been restricting partner access to award inventory. While that's separate from this particular announcement, they both might be part of a larger plan.
Aeroplan is devaluing slowly
First cut is March 25.
The rest is coming as soon as they sell more miles for 1.13cpm
Agree with your assessment of the M&M changes. I don't see why you continue to praise VS Flying Club, though. Premium Cabin availability (long haul) at saver levels is basically non-existent.
@ John -- Never did I suggest the Flying Club changes are good across the board. What I am saying is that for those with flexibility looking for the best value aspirational redemptions, there's quite a bit of upside. Previously, the cheapest Upper Class award across the Atlantic was 47.5K points plus around $1,000 in taxes and fees, while now there are awards for around half as many points, and just a few hundred in taxes and fees.
Eastbound as well as Westbound?
It doesn't help most people to be able to go only one way.
@ Albert -- Yes, both directions. I was just sharing one-way award pricing.
The world is round...
haha there's a thriving subculture that would disagree
Can confirm this experience on my last trip across the Atlantic.
As for LH, Ben, as novel as their first class experience is, I cannot think of an airline that more reliably treats their passengers with more contempt. For every good experience, there are 8 bad ones.
With changes like these, LH M&M is beginning to resemble Seligman's Learned Helplessness Experiment on a massive scale.
They don't address if these changes will affect the massive surcharges on award tickets.... the one thing that would be "exciting" is a large reduction in those absurb fees. I won't hold.ky breath...
Why would they ? The discrepancy between airfare and price paid by customer has been a major source of margin for airlines recently.
From IAG generating miles based on airfare spend to redemptions covering only airfare.
Noawadays, loyalty is only measured by the non-tax part of the customer spend and within that, the part the airline has unilaterally dedicated to label "airfare" and not "surcharge"....
Clearly airlines are now in a mood of squeezing...
Why would they ? The discrepancy between airfare and price paid by customer has been a major source of margin for airlines recently.
From IAG generating miles based on airfare spend to redemptions covering only airfare.
Noawadays, loyalty is only measured by the non-tax part of the customer spend and within that, the part the airline has unilaterally dedicated to label "airfare" and not "surcharge"....
Clearly airlines are now in a mood of squeezing out value from their loyalty programs. Maybe they have deemed the crop is "ripe" and they get enough premium traffick from cash tickets anyway ?
It will change back. Once all airlines have terrible loyalty programs, one of them will find an opportunity in having a great one and open the breach again.
What we can do in the mean time is vote with our wallets to incentivize behaviour we like.
The surcharges will be the same as for a revenue ticket, and on top, the possibility to pay the surcharges with miles (Flex Plus) will be eliminated…..
I’m surprised they can get away with these changes on less than 4 months notice given the EU consumer laws.
It's atleast a 3months notice in Germany so they're on track.