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Can You Use United Miles on Lufthansa? The Complete Guide

 

Can You Use United Miles on Lufthansa? The Complete Guide



If you have accumulated United Airlines MileagePlus miles and are planning a trip across the Atlantic, you might wonder if those miles can be redeemed on partner carriers. Yes, you can use United miles to book flights on Lufthansa.

Because both United Airlines and Lufthansa are founding members of the Star Alliance network, you can seamlessy book award seats, earn miles on cash tickets, and enjoy reciprocal elite benefits when flying with either carrier.

Why Fly Lufthansa with United Miles?

Booking a flight on Lufthansa using United MileagePlus miles is one of the most accessible and straightforward ways to reach Europe and beyond.

  • No Hefty Carrier Surcharges: Unlike booking directly through some international frequent flyer programs that add expensive fuel surcharges, booking a Lufthansa award ticket through United only incurs standard government taxes and fees (often starting at around $5.60 one-way for U.S. departures).

  • Wide U.S. Network Availability: Lufthansa operates direct transatlantic routes connecting major U.S. hubs—such as Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington, D.C. (IAD)—to its German hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC).

  • Flexible Connections: Through Lufthansa's hubs in Germany, you can connect to hundreds of destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East on a single award itinerary.


Step-by-Step: How to Book Lufthansa Award Flights

All award redemptions using United miles must be completed through United Airlines, rather than on Lufthansa's platform.

  1. Log In to Your Account: Visit United.com or open the United mobile app and sign in to your MileagePlus account.

  2. Search for Award Travel: Enter your departure city, destination, travel dates, and number of passengers. Ensure you check the "Book with miles" box before starting your search.

  3. Filter and Select Flights: Look through the search results for itineraries labeled "Operated by Lufthansa." Select your preferred flight class (Economy, Premium Economy, or Business Class) at the Saver award level for the lowest mileage rates.

  4. Confirm and Pay Fees: Review your flight details, enter passenger information, and pay any applicable taxes or fees using a credit card.

  5. Receive Confirmation: Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email containing your United ticket number and Lufthansa confirmation code.

Pro-Tip: If you cannot see a specific Lufthansa flight on United's search results, award seats for that flight may not have been released to partner airlines yet. Checking early and remaining flexible with travel dates increases your chances of finding Saver availability.

Upgrades and Elite Status Benefits

Service / BenefitDetails for United MileagePlus Members
Star Alliance UpgradesYou can use United miles or PlusPoints to request upgrades on eligible paid Lufthansa tickets via Star Alliance Upgrade Awards.
Premier Silver PerksEnjoy Business Class check-in counters and one complimentary checked bag when flying Economy.
Premier Gold & HigherAccess Star Alliance Gold benefits, including priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and airport lounge access.

Earning United Miles on Lufthansa Flights

If you purchase a cash ticket directly with Lufthansa or through a travel agency, you can still credit the flight to your United MileagePlus account:

  • Tickets Purchased via United: Award miles are earned based on the base fare price, your MileagePlus status level, and United Cardmember status.

  • Tickets Purchased via Lufthansa / Third Parties: Award miles are calculated based on the flight distance flown and the fare class of your ticket (e.g., First, Business, Premium Economy, or Economy). Always ensure your MileagePlus number is added to your reservation before travel.

Key Rules & Tips Before Flying Lufthansa

  • Baggage Policies: Lufthansa enforces its own baggage dimensions and carry-on weight limits, which can be stricter than United’s domestic rules. Check their current baggage policy prior to departure.

  • Use the Lufthansa Mobile App: Download the official Lufthansa app to check in, receive real-time updates regarding gate changes, and access mobile boarding passes.

  • Airport Lounge Access: First Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold elites departing from major airports can access participating United Club locations or partner lounges.

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