Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card: 70,000-Mile Welcome Bonus Is Back

If you've been eyeing a way to boost your Lufthansa Miles & More balance, now's a good time. Barclays has quietly raised the welcome offer on its Lufthansa Miles & More Premier World Mastercard to 70,000 bonus miles. That's a solid bump from the 50,000 miles that's been the standard for a while. But is this card worth your wallet space? Let's break down what you get, how to use those miles wisely, and a few things to watch out for before you apply.

What’s in the Offer?

The headline is the 70,000-mile welcome bonus. To earn it, you’ll need to put $4,000 on the card within the first 90 days and pay the $89 annual fee. That’s a 40% increase over the previous 50,000-mile offer that’s been around for a while. While we’ve seen 80,000-mile offers pop up from time to time, and even 100,000 miles back in 2023, this is still a decent deal if you’re in the market for Lufthansa miles.

Beyond the bonus, the card earns 2x miles on Lufthansa purchases and 1x on everything else. There are no foreign transaction fees, which is nice if you travel internationally. Plus, you get a companion ticket and two Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers after your first purchase and then again each year after you pay the annual fee. Those lounge passes alone can be worth a good chunk of change if you fly Lufthansa regularly.

One of the most underrated benefits? Holding this card keeps your Lufthansa miles from expiring. Miles & More miles typically expire after about three years of inactivity, but having the credit card keeps them alive as long as the account stays open. If you’ve got a stash of miles from a promo or a past trip, this card can be your safety net.

How to Get Real Value from Lufthansa Miles

Lufthansa miles can be surprisingly valuable if you know where to look. The program has some sweet spots that make the welcome bonus stretch further than you might expect.

For instance, you can book Lufthansa First Class up to a year in advance—something partners can’t do. That’s a huge advantage if you’re chasing one of the best first-class products in the sky. But even if first class isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other solid redemptions.

Here are a few of the best ways to use your miles:

• Business class to Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific from 75,000 miles one-way on Star Alliance partners. Economy starts at 42,500 miles, with taxes and fees around $50–$75.
• Business class to Southeast Asia from 85,000 miles one-way, covering countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Economy starts at 37,500 miles, with taxes and fees between $25–$50.
• First or business class within North America for 30,000 miles one-way on United or Air Canada. That includes some of the pricier routes to the far north. Taxes and fees are roughly $50, with Air Canada slightly higher than United.
• Kids under 11 get a 25% discount on award tickets—a nice perk if you’re traveling with family.

Before You Apply: Barclays Rules to Know

Barclays has a few quirks that can trip up applicants, so it’s worth knowing them before you hit submit. These aren’t official policies, but they’re widely reported by the points community and can affect your approval odds.

First, there’s the 6/24 rule: if you’ve opened six or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, you might get denied. That said, enforcement seems inconsistent—some folks with more than six cards still get approved.

Second, Barclays won’t let you get the welcome bonus on the same card more than once every 24 months. And you can’t hold two of the same card, so you’d need to cancel and wait at least six months before reapplying. Also, Barclays generally approves only one new personal card every six months, and they’re mindful of how much total credit they extend to you across all your Barclays accounts.

If you do get denied, don’t panic. You can call the reconsideration line at (866) 408-4064 and make your case. Sometimes a quick chat with a human can turn a no into a yes.

Is This Card Right for You?

This card isn’t for everyone. Miles & More is a niche program—it doesn’t partner with any major transferable currency except Rove, so topping up your balance isn’t as easy as with, say, Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards. If you’re not planning to fly Lufthansa or Star Alliance often, the miles might just sit there.

But if you’ve got a specific redemption in mind—like a first-class ticket to Europe or a business-class jaunt to Australia—the welcome bonus alone could cover a big chunk of that. And the card’s ability to keep your miles from expiring is a real perk for anyone who’s already got a balance.

Just remember: the earning rate is 1x on most purchases, so this shouldn’t be your everyday spender. Use it for the bonus, the lounge passes, and the expiration protection, then put it in a drawer.

Bottom Line

• 70,000-mile welcome bonus after $4,000 spend in 90 days plus the $89 annual fee
• Card keeps your Lufthansa miles from expiring—huge if you have a stash
• Best redemptions include Lufthansa First Class, business to Australia/SE Asia, and North America business for 30K
• Watch Barclays’ 6/24 rule and reapplication restrictions before applying

Common Questions