Barclays Miles & More Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $89 (waived for Senator/HON Circle members)
• APR: 20.24%–29.99% variable
• Rewards: 2x miles on Lufthansa/partners, 1x everywhere else
• Bonus: Up to 70,000 miles (50K + 20K tiered)
• Best For: Lufthansa/Star Alliance flyers, Europe travelers, lounge users
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The Miles & More World Elite Mastercard is the official U.S. credit card for Lufthansa's Miles & More loyalty program, offering travelers an opportunity to earn valuable miles on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and the entire Star Alliance network. With an $89 annual fee (waived for Senator and HON Circle elite members), this card provides exceptional value for travelers who fly Lufthansa Group airlines or Star Alliance partners regularly.

What sets this card apart are the premium perks included despite the modest annual fee: two Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers every year when you pay your annual fee, plus an economy class companion ticket after your first card purchase and then one for each card anniversary. These benefits alone can provide hundreds of dollars in value, making the $89 fee easily worthwhile for European and international travelers.

The welcome bonus structure is generous: earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days, plus an additional 20,000 miles after spending $12,000 total within the first year—up to 70,000 miles combined. With 2x earning on Lufthansa and Star Alliance airline partners and 1x on everything else, plus no foreign transaction fees, this card is built for international travelers who value Lufthansa's premium service and Star Alliance's global network.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 20.24%–29.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 20.24%–29.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified

Note: Standard APR for airline rewards cards with no promotional intro periods. The card's value comes from lounge access, companion tickets, and Star Alliance redemption flexibility.

Benefits Overview

Lufthansa & Miles & More Benefits

• 2x miles per dollar on purchases directly with Lufthansa and Star Alliance airline partners
• 1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
• Up to 70,000 bonus miles (50K + 20K tiered)
• 2 Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers annually when you pay annual fee
• Economy class companion ticket after first purchase, then one at each anniversary
• Access to exclusive Miles & More promotions and offers
• No blackout dates on award flights (subject to availability)

Lounge & Companion Benefits

• Two annual Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers (value: $100–$150)
• Economy companion ticket annually (value: $200–$600+ depending on route)
• Lounge access in Frankfurt, Munich, and other Lufthansa hubs
• Bring a guest into Lufthansa Business Lounges with vouchers

Travel Benefits

• No foreign transaction fees (0%)—essential for international travel
• $89 annual fee waived for Senator and HON Circle elite members
• Travel accident insurance
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement

Everyday Benefits

• Miles never expire with account activity every 36 months
• Zero fraud liability protection
• 24/7 customer service
• Digital wallet compatibility
• Online account management and mobile app

Mastercard World Elite Benefits

• Complimentary concierge service (24/7)
• Luxury hotel and resort benefits
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• Mastercard ID Theft Protection

Rewards & Earning Structure

• 2x miles per dollar on purchases at airline partners (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, other Star Alliance carriers)
• 1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
• No caps or limits on miles earned
• Miles never expire with account activity every 36 months
• Redemption: Lufthansa Group flights, Star Alliance partner airlines (United, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines, etc.), hotels, car rentals, upgrades

Miles & More miles are valued at approximately 1.2–1.8 cents per mile when redeemed for business class flights, with potential for even higher value on first class and partner airline redemptions. Economy redemptions typically value around 1–1.3 cents per mile.

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles through a tiered structure:

• 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days
• Plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first 365 days from account opening

This substantial tiered bonus is worth approximately $700–$1,260 in flight value. The initial 50,000 miles from $3,000 spend provides immediate value for transatlantic flights, while the additional 20,000 miles at $12,000 total spend rewards consistent card use. Combined, 70,000 miles can cover round-trip business class to Europe or multiple economy tickets.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $89 (waived for Senator and HON Circle elite members)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: Not typically offered
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Lufthansa Group airline flyers (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels)
• Star Alliance travelers using United, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines, etc.
• Europe travelers flying to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium regularly
• Business travelers connecting through Frankfurt or Munich hubs
• Lounge enthusiasts valuing 2 annual Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers
• Those seeking companion tickets (annual economy companion benefit)
• International travelers needing no foreign transaction fees
• Miles & More elite members (Senator/HON Circle get fee waived)
• Star Alliance award travelers maximizing redemption flexibility

Not Good For

• Domestic-only travelers with no international flight plans
• Infrequent international flyers (less than 2 trips annually)
• Those in non-Star Alliance markets preferring oneworld or SkyTeam
• Budget airline travelers focused on low-cost carriers
• Those not flying Lufthansa/Star Alliance (limited earning value)
• Balance carriers (standard APR without promotional periods)
• Those seeking flexible transfer partners beyond airlines
• Travelers wanting premium status (card doesn't provide elite tier)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x earning on Lufthansa and Star Alliance airline partners
• Up to 70,000 bonus miles (tiered structure)
• 2 Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers annually (worth $100–$150)
• Annual economy companion ticket (worth $200–$600+)
• $89 annual fee (waived for Senator/HON Circle members)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to extensive Star Alliance network for redemptions
• Miles never expire with activity every 36 months
• Mastercard World Elite benefits including concierge
• No blackout dates on award flights (subject to availability)

Cons

• $89 annual fee (unless Senator/HON Circle status)
• 1x earning on non-airline purchases is basic
• $12,000 spend required for full 70,000-mile bonus (high threshold)
• Companion ticket restricted to economy class
• Limited value for non-Lufthansa/Star Alliance flyers
• Standard APR with no promotional financing
• Lounge vouchers only for Lufthansa lounges (not all Star Alliance)
• Miles expiration requires activity every 36 months
• No elite status included (unlike some competing cards)
• Award availability can be limited on popular routes

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Welcome Bonus
United Quest Card	United/Star Alliance flyers	$250	3x United, 2x travel/dining	70,000 miles + perks
Chase Sapphire Preferred	Flexible travel rewards	$95	2x–5x travel/dining	60,000 points
Capital One Venture	Simple travel rewards	$95	2x on everything	75,000 miles
American Express Gold	Dining and airline spending	$250	4x dining, 3x flights	60,000 points

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Assuming you fly Lufthansa/Star Alliance 3 times annually and spend $15,000:

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Earned Value
Lufthansa/Star Alliance flights	$3,600	2x miles	7,200 miles ($101)
All other purchases	$11,400	1x miles	11,400 miles ($160)
Welcome bonus (first year, full)	—	Tiered	70,000 miles ($980)
Lounge vouchers (2 annually)	—	Lufthansa Business Lounge	$125
Companion ticket (annually)	—	Economy roundtrip	$400

First Year Total Value: $1,766
Ongoing Annual Value: $786

Minus $89 annual fee = $697 net annual value (ongoing)

The 2 annual lounge vouchers ($125) and companion ticket ($400) alone provide $525 in value, easily justifying the $89 annual fee before counting any miles earned. For Senator or HON Circle members who get the annual fee waived, the card provides pure benefit with no cost.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, or Brussels Airlines regularly
• You travel to Europe 2–3+ times per year
• You want access to Lufthansa Business Lounges (2 vouchers annually)
• You value the annual economy companion ticket
• You're a Star Alliance frequent flyer (United, Air Canada, ANA, etc.)
• You're a Miles & More Senator or HON Circle member (fee waived)
• You want to earn 70,000 bonus miles for transatlantic travel
• You need no foreign transaction fees for international spending
• You always pay balances in full (no promotional APR)
• You connect through Frankfurt or Munich hubs frequently

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Lufthansa/Star Alliance less than twice annually
• You're primarily a domestic traveler within the US
• You prefer oneworld (American, British Airways) or SkyTeam (Delta, Air France) airlines
• You want higher earning rates on everyday purchases (1x is basic)
• You won't reach $12,000 spend for the full bonus
• You need promotional financing options
• You're seeking included elite status with the card
• You want more flexible redemption beyond airlines
• You don't value lounge access or companion tickets

Apply Now

Apply for Miles & More Credit Card

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Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.