You cannot directly transfer Lufthansa miles to United Airlines, but strategic redemption options exist through their shared Star Alliance network.
Understanding the Basics of Airline Miles Transfer
Airline miles are a valuable currency in the travel world, but not all miles are created equal. Each airline operates its own loyalty program with unique rules about earning, redeeming, and transferring miles. When you ask, Can I Transfer My Lufthansa Miles To United?, it’s essential to grasp how these programs interact—or don’t.
Lufthansa’s frequent flyer program is called Miles & More, while United Airlines uses MileagePlus. Both airlines belong to the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. This connection allows passengers to earn and redeem miles across member airlines but does not automatically mean miles can be transferred between programs.
Miles transfers typically occur within a single airline’s family of partners or through specific third-party services. However, Lufthansa and United maintain separate mileage accounts that do not allow direct point transfers from one to the other. That said, understanding how to maximize your miles within this alliance can unlock significant travel benefits.
Why Direct Transfers Between Lufthansa and United Don’t Exist
Many travelers assume that since Lufthansa and United share an alliance, their miles should be interchangeable. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case due to several reasons:
- Separate Loyalty Programs: Miles & More and MileagePlus operate independently with different terms and conditions.
- Revenue Models: Airlines monetize their loyalty programs differently; allowing direct transfers would complicate revenue recognition.
- Fraud Prevention: Restricting transfers reduces risks of fraud and abuse across programs.
- Brand Loyalty: Each airline aims to retain customers within its own ecosystem rather than encourage point migration.
Because of these factors, direct transfers between Lufthansa miles and United miles are not supported by either program.
How to Use Lufthansa Miles on United Flights (And Vice Versa)
While transferring miles directly isn’t possible, you can still use your Lufthansa Miles & More points for award flights operated by United Airlines—and vice versa—thanks to Star Alliance membership.
This means if you have Lufthansa miles, you can book a flight on United using those miles by redeeming through the Miles & More program. Similarly, MileagePlus members can book flights operated by Lufthansa using their United miles.
Here’s how it works:
- Search for Award Availability: Use the respective airline’s website or call center to find available award seats on partner flights.
- Select Partner Flights: Once availability is confirmed, you can book flights operated by any Star Alliance member airline using your existing miles.
- Award Pricing: Award prices vary by airline program; sometimes booking partner flights through one program yields better value than another.
This approach requires flexibility in booking but provides access to a broad network without needing actual mile transfers.
Award Chart Comparison: Lufthansa vs. United for Star Alliance Flights
To visualize how award redemption differs when booking partner flights with either program, here’s a simplified table comparing typical award costs for common Star Alliance routes:
| Route | Lufthansa Miles & More (Economy) | United MileagePlus (Economy) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe to North America | 55,000 miles roundtrip | 30,000-35,000 miles roundtrip (Saver Award) |
| North America Domestic (within US) | N/A (No direct booking via Miles & More) | 12,500 miles one-way (Saver Award) |
| Asia to Europe | 70,000-85,000 miles roundtrip | No fixed chart; dynamic pricing applies |
As seen here, MileagePlus often offers more competitive pricing on domestic US routes due to dynamic pricing models whereas Miles & More uses region-based fixed charts.
The Role of Credit Card Points in Bridging the Gap
If transferring Lufthansa miles directly to United isn’t possible, what about leveraging transferable points from credit card rewards? This is a popular workaround for frequent flyers looking for flexibility.
Several major credit card programs allow you to transfer points into both Lufthansa Miles & More and United MileagePlus accounts separately. Examples include:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio into United MileagePlus but not into Lufthansa.
- American Express Membership Rewards®: Offers transfer options into both programs at varying ratios depending on promotions.
- Diners Club / Citi ThankYou® Points: Also provide some transfer options but less commonly used for these two airlines.
By accumulating transferable credit card points first—and then moving them into either program—you gain greater control over how you use your airline miles without relying on direct transfers between airlines.
The Transfer Process via Credit Cards Explained
1. Earn flexible points through everyday spending on credit cards.
2. Log in to your credit card rewards portal.
3. Select “Transfer Points” option.
4. Choose either Miles & More or MileagePlus as your destination.
5. Complete transfer (usually instant or takes up to a few days).
6. Redeem transferred points within the chosen airline’s loyalty program.
This method offers flexibility but requires managing multiple accounts carefully.
The Impact of Award Availability and Booking Restrictions
Even though you can use Lufthansa miles on United-operated flights and vice versa via award bookings within Star Alliance networks, availability can be tricky.
Both airlines allocate limited seats for partner redemptions—often referred to as “award inventory.” These seats may sell out quickly during peak seasons or popular routes.
Moreover:
- Lufthansa may restrict certain fare classes or routes from partner redemption.
- MileagePlus uses dynamic pricing models affecting award cost unpredictably.
- Cancellations or changes often come with fees that vary by program rules.
Planning ahead and being flexible with dates is key when redeeming across partner airlines without transferring points outright.
Award seats tend to open up around eleven months before departure but can disappear fast due to high demand. Some savvy travelers monitor availability daily or set alerts via third-party tools.
Booking early improves chances significantly when aiming for premium cabins like business or first class on long-haul routes operated by either Lufthansa or United using your respective miles.
Some travelers explore indirect ways like converting hotel loyalty points into airline miles or using mileage brokers—though this is risky and usually against terms of service.
Hotel programs such as Marriott Bonvoy allow transfers into both MileagePlus and Miles & More at fixed ratios but require splitting your hotel points accordingly since there’s no way to funnel them from one airline account directly into another after transfer.
Avoid unauthorized mileage brokers as they pose security risks including loss of points or account bans.
Key Takeaways: Can I Transfer My Lufthansa Miles To United?
➤ Lufthansa miles cannot be directly transferred to United Airlines.
➤ Both airlines are part of the Star Alliance network.
➤ You can use miles on either airline for award flights.
➤ Booking through one airline allows travel on the other.
➤ Check award availability across both carriers before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Transfer My Lufthansa Miles To United Airlines Directly?
No, you cannot directly transfer Lufthansa miles to United Airlines. Both airlines have separate loyalty programs—Miles & More for Lufthansa and MileagePlus for United—that do not support direct mile transfers between them.
How Does the Star Alliance Affect Transferring Lufthansa Miles To United?
While Lufthansa and United are both part of the Star Alliance, this membership allows you to redeem miles on flights operated by either airline. However, it does not enable direct transfer of miles from Lufthansa to United or vice versa.
What Are My Options If I Want To Use Lufthansa Miles On United Flights?
You can use your Lufthansa Miles & More points to book award flights on United Airlines by redeeming through the Miles & More program. This way, your miles stay in your Lufthansa account but can be applied to United-operated flights.
Why Can’t I Transfer My Lufthansa Miles To United MileagePlus Account?
Direct transfers are restricted because each program operates independently with different rules, revenue models, and fraud prevention measures. This separation helps maintain brand loyalty and protects the integrity of each airline’s mileage system.
Are There Third-Party Services That Allow Transferring Lufthansa Miles To United?
Currently, there are no legitimate third-party services that enable direct transfer of Lufthansa miles to United MileagePlus accounts. It’s best to use alliance redemption options rather than attempting unofficial transfers.