How do I stop Lufthansa miles from expiring?

How To Stop Your Miles & More Miles Expiring
  1. Your miles will not expire as long as you hold elite status with Miles & More (Frequent Traveller, Senator, or HON Circle Member).
  2. If you carry an eligible co-branded credit card, your miles are exempt from the 36-month expiration policy.




In the Miles & More program for 2026, award miles typically expire 36 months after the activity date if not used. The most common "High-Fidelity" way to stop this is by holding Miles & More Frequent Traveller, Senator, or HON Circle status, which grants permanent mileage protection as long as the status is maintained. For non-status members, the easiest method is to hold a Miles & More co-branded credit card (like the World Elite Mastercard) and make at least one miles-earning purchase each month; this effectively pauses the expiration timer for your entire balance. If you lose your status or cancel the card, the miles become subject to expiration again after 36 months. It is important to note that simply earning more miles through flights or partner activities does not extend the life of existing miles; only elite status or the specific credit card protection offers a true "High-Fidelity" shield against the end-of-quarter expiration policy used by Lufthansa and its partners.

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