What are Lufthansa miles worth? A calculation you can check

No fixed value for every mile

An award mile is not cash with a universal value of four or six cents. Its usefulness depends on the ticket replaced, the remaining cash payment and acceptable alternatives. Two awards in the same cabin can yield very different results. Use valuation to choose a booking, not to record income already realised.

The formula with an explicit example

Imagine a EUR1,800 ticket or an award costing 100,000 miles plus EUR400. Gross redemption value is (1,800 − 400) / 100,000 = EUR0.014, or 1.4 cents per mile. This is a mathematical example, not verified availability or a quoted fare. Deduct further fees; costs of acquiring the miles belong in a separate calculation.

Use a credible alternative

If you would have bought a suitable EUR1,100 alternative, the same formula gives (1,100 − 400) / 100,000 = EUR0.007, or 0.7 cents. The highest listed price does not automatically measure money saved. Compare schedules, connections, baggage and cancellation, treating subjective convenience as a personal preference rather than recovered cash.

Use the current quote

Miles & More uses flexible award pricing for airlines including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Lufthansa City; the itinerary determines the quote. An old fixed Business threshold is not today’s price. Taxes and surcharges remain, seats can be restricted and award flights earn no miles or status points. Change rules depend on the selected fare.

Expiry and acquisition cost

Ordinary Miles & More expiry is after 36 months at quarter-end, with status exceptions. Approaching expiry may justify a less impressive redemption, but not an unnecessary trip. Count a card fee incurred for earning miles only once. Keep cash expenditure, estimated benefit and unused mileage separate.