How to Fly Domestic First Class for 17,000 Lufthansa Miles Each Way

Lufthansa Miles & More have a distinct advantage when it comes to first class travel in the US. The Lufthansa program charges just 17,000 miles each way for a business class flight while United Airlines, US Airways, American Airlines and Delta all charge 25,000. In other words, for every round-trip flight you book with most other miles programs (50,000 miles), you can book a round-trip and an additional business class one-way flight with Lufthansa miles. In addition, while the Lufthansa does charge fuel surcharges on some routes, there are absolutely no fuel surcharges within North America…. making this a pretty good way to redeem miles. This will include flights within the US 48, but not Hawaii or US Virgin Islands.

Currently, the Lufthansa Premier Miles & More World MasterCard (full review) is offering an increased sign-up bonus until June 30 of 50,000 miles for spending $5,000 within 3 months (Update: This offer is now expired) of account opening. After that, the bonus is expected to drop back to 20,000 miles. Since this offer is going to soon be disappearing, I wanted to go over exactly how to find and book these awards.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I do receive a referral commission for approved applications through my site. I always include the best offer I can find regardless of commission. As always, thank you very much for your support!)

Using Lufthansa Miles on United BusinessFirst

In addition to lower miles cost, the other advantage here is that United Airlines frequently flies two-cabin planes domestically, meaning you can get first class for the price of business class. With United Airlines being part of Star Alliance, Lufthansa Miles can be redeemed on United Airlines flights. In particular, you can redeem 17,000 Lufthansa Miles for a fully flat-bed BusinessFirst seat from New York to California. United Airlines is extremely good at opening up business class award availability as you get close to departure, but typically charges its own members an additional close-in booking fee of $75. Lufthansa has no close in booking fee and gives the ability to take advantage of the last-minute expanded award availability without additional penalty.

From JFK to Los Angeles and San Fracisco, United Airlines runs its premium service route. The BusinessFirst cabin has fully flat-bed seats, a multi-course meal service, drinks, an entertainment system. Svetlana flew BusinessFirst to visit me in New York last year and really enjoyed it.

How to Search for Award Availability

I actually find United Airlines’ own search engine very easy to use. With Lufthansa, you can only book the award online if you are flying partners in the Lufthansa Miles & More family, such as LOT Polish Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Lufthansa itself and a few others. To book on United Airlines, you have to call. But, of course, it’s best to first come up with a plan and find award space.

To search for availability, visit the United Airlines website, enter your dates and check the radio button for Award Travel. The search engine will immediately pull up availability for your dates. For award space that’s accessible by Lufthansa, you need to find United Saver award space and this is the space that comes up with a Blue Select button.

The space with the Yellow Select button is standard award space and that’s only accessible to United itself. You do not want these flights.

The 25,000 mile non-stop business class flight above is exactly what you’re looking for. In this case, it’s a flight from New York JFK to San Francisco. It says it costs 25,000 miles and there is a $77 booking less than 21 days prior to departure, but ignore that. Lufthansa will charge you 17,000 miles each way and no booking fee.

Once you find the flights you would like, simply write them down and save them for the next step… Calling Customer Service.

Calling Customer Service

As I said, you must call customer service to book award flights on United Airlines with your Lufthansa Miles. You can find here the different service centers with their hours. The US Service Center’s number is  800-581-6400 and its hours are 8 am EST to 8 pm EST.

When you call in, simply let the representative know you’d like to use your miles and inform him which flights you would like. As you’ve already done the research, it should hopefully be smooth sailing for you two!

Summary

• Lufthansa Miles & More price domestic business class awards significantly below market value at 17,000 each way.
• Miles can be redeemed on United Airlines, including BusinessFirst cabins that United itself prices at 25,000 miles each way.
• There is no phone booking fee and no close-in booking fee. Lufthansa Miles are a great way to take advantage of United’s last minute award availability without incurring the usual fees for booking too close.