It sounds like a total Privilege, getting to travel around the World for free. But, you can get totally FREE Flights as well! The (actually not so secret) secret to this is to join an Airline Loyalty Program. As I often fly with Lufthansa it just made sense to join Miles&More, and create a mileage account there. Whenever I have a Flight with them, or in the meantime whenever I spent money through my Miles&More MasterCard, I get points. Or Miles. And thanks to these Miles I can select products like Suitcases or Magazine Subscriptions, buy Hotel Nights or Rental Cars or, what I use the most, get free flights.
Participating Airlines in Miles & More
Not every Airline in the world joined the Loyalty Program, but all the Airlines that are part of Star Alliane. Most of these Airlines are based in Europe, but luckily some others from the World joined as well. These are the Miles & More Airlines as of February 2017:
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air China, Air Dolomiti, Air India, Air Malta, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Condor, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Jet Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Private Jet, Luxair, SAS, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, TAM, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.
How to find good Deals on Free Flights with Miles&More
When booking a Reward Flight you can book Flights in Europa from up to 15.000 Miles, if they are a ‘Mileage Bargain’. If not, routes usually start at 30.000 Miles. But, this is only the flight itself, you still have to pay the Fees for the Flight, which are often around 100€ onwards. Which is quite hefty, for a Reward Flight in my opinion. But luckily you can buy the Fees, Taxes, Service Charges and everything for additional 20.000 Miles, for Flights in Europe (only).
To check availabilities of Award flight Mileage Bargains there is this website, with international and national flights. You just have to select any Country (the Country you want to depart) and see what’s offered. For example, a Business Class Flight to Zagreb from Munich is currently offered for 25.000 instead of 50.000 Miles, roundtrip. Or to Beijing for 70.000 as well in Business Class, plus charges. Otherwise, and if available, you can buy yourself an upgrade to the next higher Class. Like a Business Class Upgrade from Economy, with more comfort on Board, Lounge Access and more varied drinks and food on Board.
And this is how you can fly for free with Lufthansa or many other Airlines, thanks to their Loyalty Program Miles & More! And for my roundtrip Flight to Naples in Italy I “paid” 30.000 Miles incl. everything as I booked early (10.000 Bargain for the flight + 20.000 Fees)
