The Best Ways To Book Lufthansa First Class Using Points [Step-by-Step]

Updated: December 7, 2023, 4:21pm CST

Edited by:

The Best Ways To Book Lufthansa First Class Using Points [Step-by-Step]

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Without a doubt, the most famous first class experience from Europe is the Lufthansa first class cabin. The service inflight is tough to match, and the lounge experience in Frankfurt is simply stunning!

Carriers from the Middle East and Asia continue to provide amazing first class experiences, but the Lufthansa first class cabin remains one of the best experiences in the sky.

Let’s look at what you’ll get when you book Lufthansa first class, and then dive into booking this amazing experience using points.

A Look Inside Lufthansa First Class

Let’s say you’re flying out of Lufthansa’s hub in Frankfurt, Germany. When you arrive at the First Class Terminal, you will be greeted by a personal assistant and a valet parking service.

If you arrive in your own car, the valet parking service will take care of parking it for you. Have a rental car? It will be returned to the agency on your behalf. Your personal assistant will then be with you through check-in and security.

With these formalities complete, you can start enjoying the amazing First Class Terminal experience. Many airlines provide great first class lounges, but Lufthansa takes it to another level!

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Lounges — Sit back and relax in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal. Image Credit: Greg Stone

The Wining & Dining area is complete with food from expert chefs and your choice of beer, wine, and liquor. Cigar aficionados can also enjoy a fine smoke with their drink in a dedicated cigar lounge.

If you’d like to relax before your flight, you can choose from one of the famous Relax chairs or a quiet room with a daybed. Perhaps you’d prefer to relax by taking a bath? Well, you’re in luck! One of the 4 shower rooms also has a bathtub for you to enjoy (as well as a first class rubber duck).

Hot Tip: See our review of the Lufthansa First Class Lounge and Terminal, as well as a look at first class aboard the A380 from FRA to SIN and aboard the Boeing 747-8 from BOS to FRA in our detailed reviews.

As you can see, Lufthansa goes out of its way to ensure you have a fantastic experience upon arriving at the airport. Now, let’s talk about the flight.

Lufthansa B747-8 First Class Cabin - Cherag Dubash — Enjoy an amazing lie-flat seat with direct aisle access in Lufthansa first class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

For maximum comfort, each first class suite includes a lie-flat seat with direct aisle access. If traveling with a companion, the middle section has a divider that can be raised when you need some quiet or lowered when you’d like to have a chat.

Lufthansa B747-8 First Class Champagne - Cherag Dubash — Enjoy some Champagne on your Lufthansa first class flight. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Onboard, the amazing Lufthansa service only continues in first class. From fine wine and Champagne to high-end scotch like Johnnie Walker Blue to more amazing cuisine, you won’t be disappointed. Just ask your flight attendant for whatever you need!

From start to finish, the Lufthansa first class cabin makes flying fun and relaxing.

How To Book Lufthansa First Class With Points and Miles

Now that you’ve had a taste of what to expect from this amazing cabin, let’s talk about how you can book this flight and try it yourself!

Lufthansa is a member of Star Alliance, which is the largest airline alliance in the world. This provides plenty of options for booking Lufthansa first class, but we’re going to focus on the options in these next sections.

Hot Tip: Note that Lufthansa normally levies fuel surcharges of $800 or more in each direction for its first class flights.

Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles is our go-to frequent flyer program to book Lufthansa first class flights.

That’s because, in addition to the absence of any fuel surcharges being passed on, LifeMiles has fantastic redemption rates and an abundance of ways to rack up these miles.

Let’s get the drawbacks out of the way first — LifeMiles has an imperfect online search engine that doesn’t always have access to all award space, especially on Lufthansa first class.

Additionally, LifeMiles’ call center is a huge pain to deal with. So if you plan on using LifeMiles, see award space on United, and can’t replicate it on the LifeMiles website, you’re out of luck.

Here’s the award chart for flights between the U.S. and Europe:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Cabin Class	Avianca LifeMiles Cost (One-Way)	Taxes and Fees
Economy	30,000	~$53
Business	63,000	~$53
First	87,000	~$53

The fact that you’re saving almost $800 on one-way award flights is a huge selling point of LifeMiles — being responsible for $1,700+ in taxes and fees on a round-trip award ticket can feel like highway robbery.

Follow these steps to book your Lufthansa first class flight using LifeMiles:

Visit LifeMiles’ homepage.
Change the language from Spanish to English by clicking the flag icon in the top-right corner and then English.
Log into your LifeMiles account on the new LifeMiles site.
On the homepage’s top banner after logging in, click Fly.
Click the drop-down menu that says Smart Search and choose Lufthansa.
Choose one-way or round-trip, fill in your trip details, and click Find Flights.
Choose your travel dates.
Finish the booking by redeeming LifeMiles and paying for taxes and fees with a credit card.

Here’s what a successful Lufthansa first class award search looks like on Avianca LifeMiles:

Lufthansa first class search result on Avianca LifeMiles — Image Credit: Avianca LifeMiles

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

It’s easy to earn LifeMiles because this frequent flyer program is an American Express transfer partner, Citi transfer partner, Capital One transfer partner, Brex transfer partner, and Marriott transfer partner.

All of these programs except Marriott Bonvoy transfer at a 1:1 ratio instantly. Marriott Bonvoy transfers in 1 business day at a 3:1 ratio.

Also, there are frequent transfer bonuses, particularly from Amex and Citi, of anywhere from 15% to 30% — a bonus could cut down an 87,000-LifeMiles flight to just 67,000 LifeMiles, which is incredible for a $10,000+ plane ticket!

Recommended Amex Cards

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Access to Amex International Airline Program
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card^®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card^®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card^®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card^®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,320

Annual Fee

$250

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

$250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
No lounge access

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is another great option to book first class awards on Lufthansa. You’ll be charged according to a distance-based award chart:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Distance (Miles)	Economy	Business	First
0 to 4,000	35,000	60,000	90,000
4,001 to 6,000	40,000	70,000	100,000
6,001 to 8,000	55,000	85,000	120,000
8,001+	70,000	100,000	130,000

And if you want to add a stopover, you’ll pay just 5,000 additional points!

The booking process is simple and can be done online. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Visit Aeroplan’s site.
Log into your Aeroplan account (you’ll need your account number).
On the homepage, you’ll see a search box. Toggle the slider that says Points.
Select your travel dates, cities, and number of passengers.
Select your flight and complete your booking.

Hot Tip: Check out our Aeroplan region definition guide to make it easy to find out how many points you need to book your award.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Air Canada Aeroplan maintains transfer partnerships with Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Chase, Capital One, and Amex transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers in 5 business days at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 points after transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Air Canada Aeroplan.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

POPULAR FIRST CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business Owner? Check out our article on the best Chase business cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus has long been the go-to method for many people in the U.S. when booking Lufthansa first class.

United does not pass on the carrier-imposed surcharges on award bookings, just like Avianca LifeMiles.

It does, however, charge more miles for flying on a partner airline than United metal, so you’ll pay a bit more when booking on Lufthansa.

United got rid of its award chart and now relies on a dynamic pricing schedule, but you can expect to pay around 121,000 miles for a Saver award. Here’s the award chart:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Cabin Class	United Miles Cost (One-Way)	Taxes and Fees
Economy	From 33,000	~$6
Business	From 77,000	~$6
First	From 121,000	~$6

You can book your flight online by following these steps:

Visit United’s website.
Sign in to your account.
Select Search for award travel.
Select your travel dates and your desired route.
Select your cabin of choice.
Select your flight (make sure it is operated by Lufthansa!).
Review your flight choice.

When you search on United’s site, confirm award availability before you transfer any Chase Ultimate Rewards. Once you have selected your flights, you will be able to review your choice.

Hot Tip: Occasionally, United will show phantom space — this means that the flight will show as an option, but after selecting it you will be notified that space no longer exists.

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

United MileagePlus is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner and a Marriott transfer partner.

Chase transfers almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1.1 ratio with a bonus of 5,500 miles after transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus.

In addition, there are co-branded United MileagePlus credit cards that can help you earn miles directly, too.

Recommended United Cards

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$600

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros

2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
25% statement credit on United inflight purchases
Priority boarding
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
2 United Club 1-time passes each year
Premier upgrades on award tickets
Travel and purchase protections

Cons

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United^® purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

United Club℠ Infinite Card

U.P. Rating

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$960

Annual Fee

$525

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

Pros

4x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
Complimentary United Club membership
Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
United Premier Access
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
Expanded award availability
Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points
$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
Avis President’s Club elite status
10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada

Cons

$525 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access^® travel services
10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Quest℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$720

Annual Fee

$250

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The newest addition to United’s lineup of cards is the United Quest℠ Card. With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.

With an annual fee that falls between the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Quest card makes for a fantastic card option for United frequent flyers.

Pros

3x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on travel, dining, and select streaming services
$125 annual United credit
2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits
Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
Priority boarding
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
Expanded award availability
Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points
Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
Travel and shopping protections including trip delay insurance, lost/delayed luggage insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection

Cons

Does not earn transferable rewards
Does not offer airport lounge access
$250 annual fee

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
Up to a $125 United^® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Gateway℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.
20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$240

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without wanting to pay a credit card annual fee. Plus, the card offers other solid benefits like a 25% back on United inflight purchases, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.

Pros

2x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
No annual fee
25% back on inflight purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage

Cons

If you are a frequent United flyer, other cards offer more perks
It does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 20,000 bonus miles
No annual fee
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Club℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$450

APR

21.99%–28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

Pros

2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
Complimentary United Club membership
Free checked bags
Premier Access travel services
Discount on inflight purchases
Upgrades on award tickets
No foreign transaction fees
Employee cards at no additional cost
Travel and purchase protections

Cons

$450 annual fee
Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards

Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
Earn 2x miles on United purchases
Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
Employee cards at no additional cost
United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
25% back on United inflight purchases
No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Card Categories

Asiana Club

Our third option isn’t the most commonly used method of booking, but Asiana Club provides another great way to book Lufthansa first class.

Here’s the award chart for U.S.-Europe flights aboard Lufthansa:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Cabin Class	Asiana Miles Cost (One-Way)	Taxes and Fees
Economy	25,000	~$280
Business	40,000	~$780
First	50,000	~$780

You will be required to call Asiana to book the award, as it does not allow partner bookings online.

Also, you must reserve and have your ticket issued 3 days prior to departure, which prevents snagging last-minute awards.

Here’s what you need to know:

Search for availability using United’s site (see above for the steps).
Call Asiana at 800-227-4262.
- The U.S. call center is open between 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST (Monday to Friday).
Tell the phone representative you’d like to book an award with Star Alliance partner Lufthansa.
Provide your travel dates and flight numbers.
Once you confirm space, you will be prompted to give your credit card for any necessary taxes and fees.

Asiana Airlines will pass on surcharges when booking award tickets, so include that in your calculation.

Earning Asiana Club Miles

Asiana Club is transfer partners with Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Asiana at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Asiana.

Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to Asiana take approximately 4 business days.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

We cover the large number of Marriott credit cards available in our detailed guide.

Miles & More

Miles & More is the frequent flyer program for several European airlines including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Croatia Airlines.

You will need 7,000 miles in your Miles & More account to search for award availability online. If you don’t have the required miles to search online, call Lufthansa’s U.S. customer service center at 800-581-6400.

Hot Tip: Child tickets for flights on Adria Airways, Austrian Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Luxair, and SWISS can be booked at a 25% mileage discount.

The main benefit of this method is that you will have access to first class award availability more than 15 days in advance.

Partner bookings typically will only receive award inventory in first class around ~2 weeks before departure, making planning in advance difficult.

With Lufthansa’s own Miles & More frequent flyer program, you will be able to book first class up to 355 to 359 days before departure!

To complete a booking online, follow these simple steps:

Go to Miles & More.
Log into your Miles & More account.
Select your desired travel dates and route.
Select First as your class of service.
Select your desired flight.
- Make sure you select a Lufthansa flight, as the search results will show other Miles & More partners.

You will be required to pay the carrier-imposed surcharges on award tickets when booking with Miles & More. The fees can be steep, but they are lower on flights from Europe rather than the U.S.

If you want to book a round-trip itinerary, search for both round-trip tickets and one-way tickets. Booking 2 one-way tickets might have lower combined surcharges than the round-trip option.

Hot Tip: We’ve got an entire post dedicated to the best ways to utilize your Miles & More miles for max value if you need more ideas.

Earning Miles & More Miles

Miles & More doesn’t have any transfer partnerships with the major flexible rewards currencies.

In the past, Miles & More was transfer partners with Marriott Bonvoy, but this has since been terminated.

Nowadays, the best way to earn Miles & More miles besides booking eligible revenue flights is with the co-branded Lufthansa Miles & More credit cards issued by Barclays.

Other Options for Booking First Class

Several other Star Alliance partners you might want to consider when booking Lufthansa first class are Aegean Airlines Miles+Bonus, ANA Mileage Club, and EVA Air Infinity MileageLands.

Great Lufthansa First Class Redemptions

If you’re looking for the cheapest mileage cost, Asiana Club might be your best bet. While you’ll still have to pay the surcharges, a one-way first class flight on Lufthansa is only 50,000 Asiana miles.

Avianca LifeMiles offers first class awards for 87,000 miles one-way between the U.S. and Europe. To sweeten the deal more, there are frequent transfer bonuses of 15% to 30%, primarily from Amex and Citi.

Air Canada Aeroplan is another great opportunity at 90,000 to 100,000 miles one-way, as there are more ways to earn Aeroplan points, particularly with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Also, you can add stopovers on one-way tickets for 5,000 miles extra.

On a one-way award from the U.S., you can expect $500+ in taxes and fees, while a one-way from Germany to the U.S. will be roughly $400. Depending on your origin in Europe, the taxes and fees will vary.

To fly between Europe and the U.S., you can also use 121,000 United miles for a one-way flight without carrier-imposed surcharges.

And if you absolutely need to plan far in advance, the only way to book Lufthansa first class more than 15 days before departure is using Miles & More miles.

Here’s a table summarizing all of the mileage programs and associated costs:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Route (Round-Trip)	Avianca LifeMiles Cost	Air Canada Aeroplan Points Cost	United Miles Cost	Asiana Club Miles Cost	Lufthansa Miles & More Miles Cost
U.S. to Germany	174,000 + ~$104	180,000 to 200,000 + ~$82	242,000 + ~$11	100,000 + ~$1,700	182,000 + ~$1,700

As you can tell, Asiana miles has the lowest cost by a long shot; but remember, Asiana has just 1 transfer partner in Marriott Bonvoy, making Asiana miles very difficult to earn.

If you’re redeeming points for Lufthansa first class and don’t need to book a stopover, Avianca LifeMiles is one of the best ways to go.

If you’re redeeming points for Lufthansa first class and would like to book a stopover or have lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Air Canada Aeroplan is an excellent program to use.

United MileagePlus has acceptable redemption rates, but you’d generally only want to use it if you already have a large balance of United miles.

Lufthansa Miles & More doesn’t have any transfer partners, but the ability to redeem points for Lufthansa first class without having to wait until 15 days before departure is a unique perk worth mentioning.

How To Earn Enough Miles for Lufthansa First Class

There are plenty of ways to earn enough miles to book Lufthansa first class.

Because Lufthansa is a Star Alliance airline, you can book these tickets using many different frequent flyer programs.

At first glance, Asiana miles seems to be the best deal, requiring just 50,000 miles — but upon closer inspection, you’ll realize that shelling out $800 extra for a one-way flight can be painful.

That, along with the fact that Avianca LifeMiles often enjoys transfer bonuses from Amex and Citi of anywhere from 15% to 30%, can make you realize that other frequent flyer programs are more practical.

Here is a summary of the transferable currencies you can use to book Lufthansa first class using points:

Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
Brex Rewards transfers to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
Citi ThankYou Rewards transfers to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
Capital One Miles transfers to Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Asiana Club at a 3:1 ratio. United MileagePlus has a slightly better ratio of 3:1.1. Transfers to Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, United MileagePlus, and Asiana Club take 1 business day, 5 business days, 3 business days, and 4 business days, respectively.

When Should You Search for Award Space?

28-Lufthansa Airbus A380 First Class — If you use Miles & More, you can book much earlier than when booking via a partner airline. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Unlike Lufthansa business class award space, Lufthansa restricts first class award availability to its own Miles & More members until roughly 2 weeks before departure.

If you need to make sure you are booked on a flight ahead of time, the Miles & More program is your best bet. If you are more flexible and using a partner program to book, start looking for Lufthansa first class award space 15 days prior to your departure.

What Do You Get With Lufthansa First Class?

Lufthansa provides a luxury first class cabin experience that you won’t want to miss. With amazing service, a great lie-flat seat, and a wonderful lounge experience, there’s no doubt you will love flying on Lufthansa.

Lufthansa and Star Alliance First Class Lounges

As part of Star Alliance (the largest airline alliance), you will have access to many first class lounges across the globe when flying Lufthansa first class.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal is an experience like few others. Travelers from around the world love this lounge so much, it has almost become a destination in and of itself.

This lounge does all the little things right: hot pretzels, dining from Michelin star-rated chefs, numerous beverage options, and much more. During your visit, you will have access to 130 types of whiskey!

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt

If you are flying into Frankfurt, check out the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, where you can take care of a little work or have a nice meal before heading into the city. If you need to freshen up after a long flight, you can have a quick shower to prepare for the day.

Final Thoughts

If there is a bucket list for out-of-this-world flight experiences, Lufthansa first class is definitely on it!

From the moment you arrive at the airport, you will be blown away by the service Lufthansa provides. A Porsche or Mercedes ride to your flight, plus Champagne and amazing meals in the lounge and on the plane…what more could you want?

If you didn’t already stop reading this article to go book your Lufthansa first class flight — what are you waiting for? Get to it!

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to book Lufthansa first class?

The best way to book Lufthansa first class depends on your current points and cash situation.

If you want the cheapest cost in miles, Asiana Club is a great option. If you’d like to book Lufthansa first class without the carrier-imposed surcharges, Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, and United MileagePlus are excellent choices.

If you have a bunch of Marriott Bonvoy points, Asiana Club has the cheapest redemption rate.

And if you need to book more than 2 weeks in advance, the only way to do so is with Miles & More miles.

What credit cards can help me earn miles to fly Lufthansa first class?

To earn Miles & More miles, use the Lufthansa card from Barclays.

You can also use Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards to get more Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan points.

To earn United miles, use cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards or Chase’s co-branded United cards.

Lastly, Marriott Bonvoy credit cards earn points that can be transferred to Asiana Club.

What do I get when I fly Lufthansa first class?

Lufthansa first class has a great lie-flat seat with direct aisle access. You can enjoy Champagne throughout the flight, caviar as an appetizer, and a couple of great meals.

Additionally, you will have access to the famous First Class Terminal if you are flying out of Frankfurt Airport.

Throughout your experience, you can expect top-notch service in the lounge and during your flight.

What is the difference between business class and first class on Lufthansa?

Business class on Lufthansa, while comfortable, is nowhere near as luxurious as first class.

To start off, there are just 10 first class seats in the entire plane, all of which have direct aisle access, tons of space, and plenty of privacy.

Also, the food, drinks, amenities, service, and pretty much everything else is much better than in business class!

Was this page helpful?

About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE^™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.