Lufthansa transfer partners let you move credit card points into frequent flyer miles at a fixed rate, then book flights on partner airlines instead of just Lufthansa itself

When you earn points with a Lufthansa credit card, you are not locked into flying Lufthansa. The card issuer lets you transfer those points to partner airlines at a set ratio — usually one point becomes one mile, though some partners offer better rates. This matters because partner airlines often have different award availability, different routes, and sometimes lower mile costs for the same flight.

The catch is that transfers are permanent. Once points leave your Lufthansa account and land in a partner's account, you cannot move them back. That is why knowing which partners exist, what they charge in miles, and whether they fly where you want to go matters before you transfer anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Lufthansa credit card points transfer to roughly 15 to 20 partner airlines at a one-to-one ratio, though the exact list depends on which card you hold and which country issued it.
  • Partner airlines include carriers in Star Alliance (United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines) and some outside it, each with different route networks and award pricing.
  • Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed, so confirm the partner airline flies your route and has reasonable award prices before you move points.
  • Some partners offer bonus miles during promotional transfer windows — moving 10,000 points might earn you 12,000 miles instead — so checking before you transfer can add value.

Which airlines accept Lufthansa points

The partner list varies by which Lufthansa card you hold. A Lufthansa credit card issued in the United States has a different set of partners than one issued in Germany or the UK. The card issuer's website lists the current partners for your specific card, and that list is the only one you should trust — partner relationships change, and what was true last year may not be true now.

Star Alliance members make up the bulk of partners. These include United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Swiss International Air Lines, and others. Outside Star Alliance, some cards also partner with airlines like Turkish Airlines or regional carriers depending on the card and the country where it was issued.

Before you transfer, visit the partner airline's website and search for award availability on your intended route. If the airline has no seats available at any mile price, transferring points to them is a waste. Award inventory changes constantly, so check the week you plan to transfer, not weeks in advance.

Transfer rates and bonus promotions

Most transfers happen at a one-to-one rate: 10,000 Lufthansa points become 10,000 miles in the partner airline's account. Some partners occasionally offer a bonus — a limited-time promotion where 10,000 points become 12,000 or 15,000 miles. These promotions are temporary and announced by the card issuer or the partner airline.

Bonus transfer windows are worth waiting for if you are not in a rush. A 20 percent bonus (10,000 points becoming 12,000 miles) is the same as getting a 20 percent discount on your award flight. If you are flexible on timing, sign up for email alerts from the card issuer so you know when promotions begin.

The trade-off is that you cannot predict when bonuses will happen or which partners will offer them. If you need to book a flight in the next two weeks, waiting for a promotion that may not come is a risk. Transfer now if the award price is reasonable and the flight is available.

How to transfer points to a partner airline

Log into your Lufthansa frequent flyer account (Miles & More) and navigate to the transfer section. You will see a list of active partners and the one-to-one transfer rate for each. Select the partner airline, enter the number of points you want to transfer, and confirm. The transfer usually completes within 24 to 48 hours, though some partners take longer.

Before you transfer, have the partner airline's frequent flyer account number ready. You will need to enter it so the miles land in the correct account. If you do not have an account with the partner airline yet, create one first — the transfer needs somewhere to go.

After the transfer completes, log into the partner airline's frequent flyer account and confirm the miles arrived. If they did not show up within 48 hours, contact the partner airline's customer service with your transfer confirmation number from Lufthansa.

Award pricing varies widely between partners

The same flight can cost different amounts of miles depending on which airline you book it through. A round trip from New York to London might cost 50,000 miles on United but 60,000 on Air Canada, even though both are Star Alliance partners. The difference comes down to how each airline prices awards and what seats they release to partners.

This is why checking award availability before you transfer matters so much. Search the partner airline's award chart or use their search tool to see the mile cost for your specific route and dates. If the price is higher than you expected, try a different partner or wait for a different date when cheaper awards might be available.

Some partners release better award availability during off-peak seasons or on less popular routes. A flight that costs 60,000 miles in July might cost 45,000 in September. If your travel dates are flexible, shifting by a few weeks can save thousands of miles.

When transferring makes sense versus booking direct

You have two choices when you want to fly: book a Lufthansa award flight directly using your points, or transfer points to a partner and book through them. The right choice depends on whether the partner has better availability or a lower mile cost for your specific route.

Transfer to a partner if the partner airline flies a route Lufthansa does not serve, if the partner's award price is significantly lower, or if the partner has better seat availability on your preferred dates. Do not transfer if Lufthansa's direct award is cheaper or if the partner has no availability at all.

Keep in mind that partner awards sometimes come with different rules. A partner airline might charge fuel surcharges on top of the mile cost, have stricter change policies, or offer fewer premium cabin seats to partners. Read the partner's award terms before you book, not after you transfer.

What happens to points if you close your card

Closing a Lufthansa credit card does not automatically close your Miles & More frequent flyer account or erase your points. The card and the account are separate. You can keep earning and spending miles through the frequent flyer program even after the card is closed, though you will no longer earn points on purchases.

If you do not have any Lufthansa credit card activity for three years, Lufthansa may close your Miles & More account and forfeit your points. To keep the account active without a card, you can earn miles through partner airlines, hotel stays, or car rentals. Check Lufthansa's policy on your account page for the current inactivity rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points back from a partner airline to Lufthansa?

No. Transfers are one-way only. Once points leave your Lufthansa account and become miles in a partner airline's account, they cannot be moved back. This is why confirming the partner has good award availability before you transfer is so important.

Do I have to use the partner airline's website to book, or can I call?

Most partners let you book online or by phone. Check the partner airline's website for their booking methods. Some charge a phone booking fee, while others do not. Online booking is usually free and faster.

What if the partner airline goes out of business after I transfer points to them?

Your miles would be at risk. This is rare with major carriers, but it is a reason to transfer only to established airlines and to book your award flight soon after transferring rather than sitting on miles for years.

Are there taxes or fees on partner awards?

Yes, most partner awards include taxes and fees on top of the mile cost. The amount varies by route and airline. When you search for awards, the total cost shown includes these fees, so you will see the full price before you book.

Can I combine points from multiple Lufthansa cards into one account?

Yes, if the cards are registered to the same person and the same Miles & More account. All points go into that single account, and you can transfer from there. If you have cards under different names or accounts, you cannot combine them.