Step 1: Understanding the Landscape - Why Not Direct?
You might be asking, "Why can't I just transfer my Amex points directly to Miles & More?" That's a valid question. The truth is, American Express has a wide array of airline and hotel transfer partners, but Lufthansa's Miles & More isn't universally among them. This means you won't find a "Lufthansa Miles & More" option directly listed in your American Express Membership Rewards portal in many key markets, including the US.
Don't fret! This is where the beauty of airline alliances comes into play. Lufthansa is a proud member of the Star Alliance, one of the world's largest airline alliances. This means you can fly Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners using miles from any Star Alliance member airline. And conveniently, American Express does partner with several Star Alliance airlines.
Key Takeaway: Your strategy will involve transferring your Amex points to another Star Alliance airline partner, and then using those miles to book flights on Lufthansa.
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| How To Transfer American Express Points To Lufthansa |
Step 2: Identifying Your Best Transfer Partner
This is a crucial step where you'll make a strategic decision. You need to choose an American Express airline transfer partner that is also a member of the Star Alliance. Several excellent options exist, each with its own advantages and disadvantages regarding transfer ratios, transfer times, and award availability.
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
Here are some of the most popular and often recommended American Express transfer partners for booking Lufthansa flights:
Air Canada Aeroplan:
Transfer Ratio: Typically 1:1 (1 Amex point = 1 Aeroplan point).
Transfer Time: Often instant or very quick.
Why it's great: Aeroplan is renowned for its reasonable award charts, good award availability on Star Alliance partners, and relatively low fuel surcharges compared to some other programs. They also allow for stopovers, adding more flexibility to your bookings.
ANA Mileage Club:
Transfer Ratio: Typically 1:1 (1 Amex point = 1 ANA mile).
Transfer Time: Can take up to 48 hours.
Why it's great: ANA offers some incredibly lucrative redemption rates, especially for Business and First Class flights on Star Alliance partners. However, they generally require round-trip bookings for partner awards and can have slightly higher fuel surcharges than Aeroplan.
Avianca LifeMiles:
Transfer Ratio: Typically 1:1 (1 Amex point = 1 LifeMile).
Transfer Time: Often instant.
Why it's great: LifeMiles is often praised for its lack of fuel surcharges on award tickets, which can lead to significant savings. Their award chart can be competitive, though their website can sometimes be a bit clunky for searching.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer:
Transfer Ratio: Typically 1:1 (1 Amex point = 1 KrisFlyer mile).
Transfer Time: Up to 48 hours.
Why it's great: KrisFlyer has a decent award chart and good availability for its own flights. While you can book Star Alliance partners, often Aeroplan or LifeMiles offer better value for Lufthansa-specific redemptions.
Pro Tip: Before you transfer any points, always check award availability on the chosen partner airline's website for the specific Lufthansa flights you want! This is crucial because transfers are generally irreversible.
Step 3: Creating or Linking Your Frequent Flyer Account
Once you've chosen your intermediary Star Alliance partner (e.g., Air Canada Aeroplan), your next step is to ensure you have an active frequent flyer account with that airline.
Sub-heading: If you don't have an account:
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Visit the website of your chosen airline partner (e.g., aeroplan.com, ana.co.jp, lifemiles.com).
Look for a "Join Now," "Enroll," or "Sign Up" button.
Follow the prompts to create your free frequent flyer account. Make sure the name on your frequent flyer account exactly matches the name on your American Express Membership Rewards account to avoid any transfer issues.
Sub-heading: If you already have an account:
Simply locate your frequent flyer number. You'll need this in the next step.
Step 4: Initiating the Transfer from American Express
Now for the main event! Log in to your American Express Membership Rewards account.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Amex Portal:
Go to the American Express website and log in to your account.
Navigate to the "Membership Rewards" section. This is usually found under the "Rewards" or "Benefits" tab.
Look for options like "Transfer Points," "Redeem Points," or "Travel."
Select "Transfer Points to a Partner Loyalty Program" or similar phrasing.
Sub-heading: Selecting Your Partner and Entering Details:
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
You will see a list of American Express's airline and hotel transfer partners. Find and select the Star Alliance airline partner you chose in Step 2 (e.g., Air Canada Aeroplan).
If this is your first time transferring to this partner, you will likely be prompted to link your frequent flyer account. Enter your frequent flyer number and confirm that the name on the account matches your Amex account details. American Express might also require you to input your card security code (CSC) or send a one-time passcode for verification.
Once linked, you'll enter the number of American Express Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer. Pay close attention to any minimum transfer amounts and transfer increments (often in increments of 1,000 points).
Review the transfer details carefully, including the transfer ratio and estimated transfer time. Remember, transfers are generally final and cannot be reversed.
Confirm and submit your transfer request. You should receive a confirmation email from American Express.
Step 5: Waiting for Your Miles to Post
This is often the part that requires a little patience. While some transfers (like to Aeroplan or LifeMiles) can be instantaneous, others, such as to ANA or Singapore Airlines, might take up to 48 hours or even a few business days.
Sub-heading: What to do while you wait:
Keep an eye on your chosen frequent flyer account. You can typically log in to their website to check your mileage balance.
Do not attempt to book your Lufthansa flight until you see the miles reflected in your frequent flyer account. Award availability can change rapidly, and you don't want to risk losing the seats you want because your miles haven't arrived yet.
Consider setting up email or text alerts with your frequent flyer program if available, so you're notified as soon as your miles appear.
Step 6: Booking Your Lufthansa Flight with Partner Miles
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
Once your transferred miles have posted to your chosen Star Alliance frequent flyer account, you're ready to book your Lufthansa flight!
Sub-heading: Searching for Lufthansa Awards:
Go to the website of the Star Alliance airline partner where you transferred your points (e.g., Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, LifeMiles).
Log in to your frequent flyer account.
Navigate to their "Award Travel," "Redeem Miles," or "Book Flights with Miles" section.
When searching for flights, ensure you select the option to search for "Star Alliance partners" or "partner airlines." This is crucial as you're looking for Lufthansa flights, not necessarily flights on the airline whose miles you are using.
Enter your desired origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers. Select your preferred cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First Class).
Sub-heading: Completing the Booking:
Review the search results carefully. Look for flights operated by Lufthansa.
Pay attention to the number of miles required and any associated taxes and fees. This is where the choice of your transfer partner matters, as fuel surcharges can vary significantly. LifeMiles is often favored for its low fees.
Select your desired Lufthansa flight(s).
Proceed to the payment page. You will use your miles for the flight portion, and then pay any applicable taxes and fees with your credit card.
Confirm all details one last time and complete your booking. You should receive a confirmation email with your Lufthansa booking reference.
Congratulations! You've successfully leveraged your American Express Membership Rewards points to fly with Lufthansa!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to transferring Amex points to Lufthansa, with quick answers:
How to check if Lufthansa Miles & More is a direct Amex transfer partner in my region?
Log in to your American Express Membership Rewards account and navigate to the "Transfer Points" section. Review the list of airline partners available to you. If Miles & More is listed, you can transfer directly. If not, you'll need to use an intermediary Star Alliance partner.
How to choose the best Star Alliance partner for Lufthansa redemptions?
Consider the award chart value (how many miles are needed for a specific route/cabin), fuel surcharges (how much cash you'll pay in addition to miles), and transfer time. Aeroplan and LifeMiles are often top choices due to reasonable costs and quick transfers.
How to find award availability for Lufthansa flights on Star Alliance partners?
Use the search tools on the website of your chosen Star Alliance partner (e.g., Aeroplan.com, United.com, LifeMiles.com). Ensure you select "partner awards" or "Star Alliance" when searching.
How to avoid high fuel surcharges when booking Lufthansa flights with points?
Choose a transfer partner that does not levy significant fuel surcharges on award tickets, such as Avianca LifeMiles. Some other programs might have lower surcharges on specific routes or cabin classes.
How to ensure my name matches on my Amex and frequent flyer accounts?
Double-check that the first name, middle name (if applicable), and last name on your American Express Membership Rewards account exactly match those on your chosen Star Alliance frequent flyer program account. Discrepancies can delay or prevent transfers.
How to know the transfer ratio from Amex to different airline partners?
When you select a partner on the American Express Membership Rewards transfer page, the transfer ratio will be clearly displayed. Most airline partners have a 1:1 ratio.
How to track my point transfer from American Express?
American Express typically sends a confirmation email, but you'll primarily track the transfer by periodically logging into your chosen frequent flyer account and checking your mileage balance.
How to deal with a delayed point transfer?
If the estimated transfer time has passed and your miles haven't appeared, first re-check your frequent flyer account. If still missing, contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service, providing your transfer confirmation details.
How to book Lufthansa First Class using partner miles?
Booking Lufthansa First Class with partner miles is notoriously difficult as Lufthansa typically only releases First Class award space to partners very close to departure (often 1-3 days out). If First Class is your goal, Lufthansa's own Miles & More program offers the best availability, but as Amex isn't a direct partner in most regions, you'd need to earn Miles & More directly or use other transferable currencies (which are not Amex).
How to make sure my award booking is confirmed on Lufthansa?
Once you've booked your flight using partner miles, you should receive a confirmation email from the Star Alliance airline (e.g., Aeroplan) with a Lufthansa (LH) booking reference number. Use this LH booking reference on Lufthansa's website or app to manage your booking, select seats, and verify details.
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