The United MileagePlus program is also part of the Star Alliance along with more than two dozen airlines around the world, which opens the door to flight awards to almost any destination. In other words, you can use United miles to fly with United and partners such as Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and more.

Yes, you can absolutely use your United MileagePlus miles to book flights on Lufthansa, as both airlines are founding members of the Star Alliance. To do this, you do not go to Lufthansa's website; instead, you log in to your account on United.com and select the "Book with Miles" option. When you search for routes—especially those between North America and Europe—Lufthansa-operated flights will appear in the search results alongside United's own flights. These are known as "Award Flights." You can book everything from Economy to Business and First Class (though Lufthansa First Class is usually only released to partners 15 days before departure). It is important to note that while the miles come from your United account, you may still be responsible for paying taxes and government fees in cash. Additionally, you can use your United miles to request "Star Alliance Upgrade Awards" on eligible paid Lufthansa tickets, allowing you to move from a lower cabin to a higher one using your MileagePlus balance.