If you follow any travel influencers, you’ve probably seen photos of Lufthansa’s first-class seats. They’re spacious, luxurious, and consistently ranked among the best in the sky. For many people, they’re the ultimate airplane dream—buuuut she ain’t cheap.
What if we told you there’s a way to make this dream a reality using points instead of paying outright? Well, today is your lucky day. We’re here to guide you through booking Lufthansa first class without shelling out thousands. Let’s break it down 👇
Why Lufthansa First Class is Worth It
Lufthansa’s first class is straight up boujee. Think wide, ultra-comfortable seats that turn into fully flat beds, personalized service, fine dining, and access to exclusive first-class lounges. Add in impeccable German efficiency, and it’s no wonder people rave about this experience.
The best part? With the right points strategy, you can secure a seat in this sky-high haven without maxing out your credit card.
Option 1: Book with Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca, based in Bogotá, Colombia, is part of Star Alliance, which includes Lufthansa. Using Avianca LifeMiles, you can book Lufthansa first class for 120,000 miles one-way from the U.S. to Europe. While this isn’t the cheapest option, transfer bonuses often make it competitive.
For example, a 25% transfer bonus from American Express, Citi, Capital One, or Bilt could bring that cost down to just 96,000 miles. Considering the level of luxury, this is still an excellent value.
How to Earn LifeMiles:
Transfer points from major programs like Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards.
Look for limited-time welcome bonuses on travel credit cards to help you reach the required miles quickly.
Option 2: Book with Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan, another Star Alliance member, offers one of the best ways to book Lufthansa first class. Using their distance-based award chart, flights under 4,000 miles (e.g., New York to Frankfurt) cost just 90,000 Aeroplan points in first class.
But the real game-changer? Transfer bonuses. A 20% bonus, like the one we saw recently, can reduce this to 75,000 points—making it the most affordable way to book Lufthansa first class.
Additional Aeroplan Perks:
Add a stopover for just 5,000 extra points. For example, you could stop in Frankfurt for a week before continuing to another destination.
Access the world’s most extensive partner network, allowing creative routing options.
How to Earn Aeroplan Points: Transfer points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Bilt OR keep an eye out for transfer bonuses to maximize your redemption value.
Timing is Key
One challenge with booking Lufthansa first class is availability—it’s typically released just a few days before departure. To navigate this, book a “safety flight” in business class or with a different airline and switch to first class if availability opens up closer to your travel date. Flexibility is your friend here.
Pro Tip: Earn the Right Points
Both Avianca and Aeroplan miles are transferable from popular bank programs. Here are some cards to consider:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn Ultimate Rewards points.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn Membership Rewards points.
Bilt Mastercard®: Earn Bilt Rewards points with no annual fee.
Final Thoughts
Lufthansa first class may seem like an unattainable dream, but with the right points strategy, it’s well within reach. Whether you go through Avianca or Aeroplan, there are ways to make this luxury experience affordable.
Start collecting those points, keep an eye on transfer bonuses, and plan your next trip in style. After all, why settle for economy when you could be sipping champagne at 35,000 feet?
