How to Book Lufthansa with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Lufthansa is a Star Alliance carrier whose first class, on the 747-8 and A340, is legendary, along with the Frankfurt First Class Terminal. Book it through Star programs like Avianca LifeMiles, which avoids fuel surcharges, plus United, Aeroplan, and Turkish. First class award space is mostly released to partners about two weeks before departure, so patience is key.

This guide covers how to book Lufthansa with points, the best programs to use, and how to handle its quirks. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

The airline and its program

Lufthansa is the German flag carrier and a founding Star Alliance member, with hubs in Frankfurt and Munich connecting the US to Europe and beyond. Its first class, found on the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A340-600, is among the most celebrated premium products, and first class passengers in Frankfurt enjoy the exclusive First Class Terminal with its own services and tarmac transfers. Its business class is solid and evolving as new cabins roll out.

Lufthansa own program, Miles and More, tends to price awards high and add fuel surcharges, so most points travelers book Lufthansa through other Star Alliance programs instead. See our Star Alliance guide.

How to book Lufthansa with points

The best way to book Lufthansa is through a Star Alliance partner program. Avianca LifeMiles is a top choice because it charges no fuel surcharges, which on Lufthansa can otherwise add hundreds of dollars. United MileagePlus also adds no fuel surcharges and books Lufthansa with a usable website, while Air Canada Aeroplan offers distance-based pricing and Turkish can be cheap if you tolerate its site.

All of these are reachable from flexible bank points, so you can pick the program that prices your route best with the fewest fees. See our deep dives on Avianca LifeMiles and Aeroplan.

The first class release quirk

Lufthansa is famous for restricting first class award space to its own elite members until close to departure. Most partner first class award space is released roughly two weeks before the flight, and sometimes more opens within a few days. This means booking Lufthansa first class far in advance through partners is usually not possible; instead you watch for space in the final couple of weeks.

This rewards flexibility and persistence. If your dates are firm, business class is easier to find in advance, while first class is more of an opportunistic, last-minute booking. See our first class guide and finding award space guide.

Avoiding surcharges and finding space

The big money-saver on Lufthansa is avoiding fuel surcharges, which its own Miles and More program and some partners pass on. Booking through Avianca LifeMiles or United avoids them, saving hundreds of dollars in cash on the same seat. Always compare the total of miles plus fees, not just the miles.

To find space, the United and Aeroplan websites display Lufthansa award seats well, and award search tools help, especially for tracking that late first class release. Locate the seat, then book through the surcharge-free program that prices it best. See our booking tactics guide.

Who should book Lufthansa

Lufthansa is ideal for travelers heading to or through Europe who want a celebrated premium experience, especially anyone willing to chase first class for a bucket-list trip through the Frankfurt First Class Terminal. Its business class is a reliable, comfortable way across the Atlantic that is easier to book in advance.

If you need to lock in first class far ahead, Lufthansa is challenging due to the late release, so flexibility is essential. Book through a surcharge-free Star program, watch for space near departure, and enjoy one of the great first class products. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book Lufthansa first class with points?

Through a Star Alliance partner program like Avianca LifeMiles or United, which avoid fuel surcharges. Note that most Lufthansa first class award space releases to partners only about two weeks before departure, so it is largely a last-minute booking.

Which program is best for booking Lufthansa?

Avianca LifeMiles is excellent because it charges no fuel surcharges, which Lufthansa otherwise adds heavily. United also avoids surcharges with a usable site, and Aeroplan offers distance-based pricing. All are reachable from flexible bank points.

Why cannot I book Lufthansa first class in advance?

Lufthansa restricts most first class award space to its own elite members until roughly two weeks before departure, when it releases space to partners. This makes first class a flexible, near-term booking rather than something you lock in far ahead.

Does booking Lufthansa cost fuel surcharges?

It can, through its own Miles and More program and some partners. Booking through Avianca LifeMiles or United avoids the surcharges, saving hundreds of dollars in cash on the same seat. Always compare the total of miles plus fees.

What is the Frankfurt First Class Terminal?

An exclusive terminal for Lufthansa first class passengers in Frankfurt, with its own services, dining, and tarmac transfers to the aircraft. It is a celebrated part of the Lufthansa first class experience and a reason the product is so sought after.