Miles & More reintroduces retroactive status point purchases

Miles & More has reinstated the option for members to retroactively purchase status points through CO2 offset packages. This allows members to earn up to 80% additional Points and Qualifying Points, and up to 20% additional HON Circle Points for flights already completed.

Key details

• Availability: Packages are available for flights in the current calendar year, or the previous year until the end of February.

• Additional points: Up to 80% additional Points and Qualifying Points, and up to 20% additional HON Circle Points.

• Cost per Qualifying Point: From 0.67 EUR in tests.

• Payment: Payment in Euros is recommended over miles, which are valued at 0.5 cents per mile.

• Cancellation: Booked packages are non-cancellable.

These packages differ from those offered during flight booking and focus solely on past travel. Members can access this option via the Miles & More website or the “CO₂-Einsparung” tile in the app.

How it works

Eligible flights include those from the current calendar year for which Miles & More miles have been credited. Until the end of February, flights from the previous year are also eligible. Exclusions apply to flights for which a CO2 contribution was already made with Lufthansa Group, award flights, and bus/rail segments. Flights for which a Miles & More service card number was not entered during booking will not appear as options.

Upon purchase, points are typically credited within minutes and appear under the original flight date in the activity overview. These additional status points count towards the calendar year in which the flight took place.

Four package sizes are available for continental flights: Small (5%), Medium (20%), Large (50%), and X-Large (80%), referring to the percentage of additional Points earned relative to the regular point accrual. For example, an X-Large package on a continental Economy Class flight earning 20 regular Points would add 16 Points and 16 Qualifying Points. The specific types of points awarded depend on the operating airline. While additional Points can be earned on eligible Star Alliance flights, Qualifying Points and HON Circle Points are restricted to eligible flights with Lufthansa Group airlines and co-issuing Miles & More partner airlines. HON Circle Points are capped at 20% additional earnings, regardless of the package size above Medium.

Package prices vary based on flight route, travel class, and selected package size. In tests, the X-Large package consistently offered the lowest price per additional Point. For instance, a Swiss Economy flight from Stuttgart to Zurich had a cost of 0.67 EUR per additional Point. Payment can be made in Euros or using Miles & More award miles, but paying in Euros is advised due to the low mile valuation of 0.5 cents per mile.

Source: Miles&More

Opinion

This is a welcome reprieve for Miles & More members scrambling to hit status targets. The ability to buy status points retrospectively offers a straightforward path to upgrade or retain status, especially for those just shy of a tier. The transparency in pricing, though varying by route, allows for calculated decisions.

Also, don't forget: If you're aiming for a status extension, you might want to try and achieve it in the first two months of 2027. That way, your status will be valid for almost two years instead of just one. Not an easy task, but with some additional points from promotions like this, it might be a little more achievable.