FlyerfolioMiles and membership
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Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review

GUIDE

How to earn Miles & More status

Miles & More status is the tier system of the Miles & More programme, which comprises three levels — Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle Member — each with a separate set of travel and programme benefits [2]. The HON Circle qualification threshold is at least 6,000 HON Circle Points in a calendar year, both to achieve and to renew the status [2].

Facts checked: 18 October 2026

Key takeaways

  • The status comparison lists three levels — Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle Member — and says it compares the benefits and perks that come with each [2].
  • The HON Circle threshold is at least 6,000 HON Circle Points in a calendar year, for both qualification and renewal [2].
  • HON Circle benefits are described for flights with Lufthansa Group airlines, co-issuing Miles & More airline partners and Star Alliance airlines, and include Star Alliance Gold status [2].
  • While a member remains a status member, miles do not expire [2].

The three status levels

The Miles & More status comparison names Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle Member, and describes HON Circle as “an exclusive club” whose benefits a member can use when flying with Lufthansa Group airlines, co-issuing Miles & More airline partners and Star Alliance airlines [2].

The levels interact. A HON Circle Member can ask for a spouse or partner to be given Senator status for as long as the member stays in HON Circle [2]. On the HON Circle side, the extra benefits that arrive automatically at certain numbers of HON Circle Points per calendar year can include a Frequent Traveller partner card together with miles or mileage packages [2].

The one period that is stated applies to HON Circle, and it is measured by calendar year [2].

Qualifying for HON Circle

To achieve or renew HON Circle status, a member needs at least 6,000 HON Circle Points in a calendar year, and current progress is visible under the member's status in the Miles & More account [2]. The page describes a per-flight earning system that shows how many HON Circle Points a given flight earns, and links to that system rather than listing earning rates itself [2].

Above the threshold, further benefits are said to arrive automatically at certain numbers of HON Circle Points per calendar year, such as upgrade vouchers and a Frequent Traveller partner card with miles or mileage packages [2]. Status customers with more than 10,000 Qualifying Points are invited to Status Events [2].

Qualification or renewal brings four eVouchers to fly one class higher, and qualification itself also brings a black status card valid for at least one year and black bag tags [2].

At the airport

HON Circle lists First Class Lounge access at the Lufthansa First Class Lounges, the SWISS First Lounges, the Austrian HON Circle Lounge and the lounges at the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, along with First Class check-in or Premium check-in and priority boarding [2]. HON Circle also lists an exclusive chauffeur and transfer service between aircraft and terminal [2]. A personal assistant handles formalities at the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, the First Class Lounges in Frankfurt and Munich, and other airports [2]. The Personal HON Circle Service is staffed around the clock in selected markets only, with exact hours listed under Help & Contact [2].

Advance seat reservation is free in all booking classes on Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City and SWISS, excluding Economy Basic and Economy Light on short-haul flights, Economy Light, Premium Economy Light and Business Light on long-haul flights, and the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Suite and Suite Plus [2]. On LOT Polish Airlines, HON Circle Members and all passengers who are part of the same booking get free seat selection in all booking classes, including Saver fares [2]. On Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa and SWISS, companions on the same booking also get free advance seat reservation, subject to the same exclusions [2].

Baggage perks include an increased free allowance on many airlines, with details to be confirmed with the operating airline, priority delivery of checked bags, and a free additional golf bag with selected Miles & More airline partners and in certain travel classes [2]. Members also get the highest waiting-list priority on fully booked flights with the listed airlines — not for upgrades or Award Flights — and may rebook free onto an earlier flight on the same day, on the same route and within Europe, with Austrian Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa and SWISS when a seat is open in the class booked [2]. A booking guarantee gives a confirmed seat on a fully booked flight when booking in the highest booking class in Business, Premium Economy or Economy up to 24 hours before departure [2].

Programme-wide benefits

HON Circle membership includes Star Alliance Gold status, which carries status benefits onto flights operated by Star Alliance airlines [2]. Members who link their Miles & More and Marriott Bonvoy accounts reach Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status [2].

On the mileage side, miles do not expire as long as the member remains a status member [2]. A HON Circle Member may temporarily overdraw the Miles & More account by up to 100,000 miles, and certain airline partners award up to 50% extra miles [2].

For redemptions, a Companion Award Flight gives 50% off Award Flights for anyone added to the Award Flight booking [2]. Until 14 days before departure, a member and up to three companions travelling in the same class get increased award availability even when no more award seats are available to book, provided the required number of seats is available for purchase in the member's chosen travel class — Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class — on Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City or SWISS flights; bookings go through the HON Circle Service and Fly Smart Award Flights are excluded [2].

Exceptions and limits

  • Airline coverage. The benefits are described for flights with Lufthansa Group airlines, co-issuing Miles & More airline partners and Star Alliance airlines, not for every airline a member might fly [2]. Lounge access is named for the specific First Class Lounges and the Austrian HON Circle Lounge [2].
  • Seat reservation. For Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City and SWISS, the free reservation does not apply to Economy Basic and Economy Light on short-haul, to Economy Light, Premium Economy Light and Business Light on long-haul, or to the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Suite and Suite Plus. LOT Polish Airlines has its own rule, covering all booking classes including Saver fares [2].
  • Booking guarantee classes. The guarantee is tied to booking classes that differ by airline: class J in Business Class on the listed Lufthansa Group carriers, class C on Croatia Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines, class G or P in Premium Economy depending on the carrier, and class Y in Economy [2].
  • Award availability is conditional. The extra availability ends 14 days before departure, needs seats available for purchase in the chosen travel class — Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class — covers up to three companions in the same class, and excludes Fly Smart Award Flights [2].
  • Service hours. The 24-hour Personal HON Circle Service applies in selected markets only; elsewhere the hours published under Help & Contact apply [2].
  • Not published here. Partner status matches and lifetime status are not covered on this page.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Other programmes, including Flying Blue, AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay and KrisFlyer, are not covered here.

  1. Miles & More — HON Circle Member status and benefits, checked 18 October 2026