Lufthansa launches UK debit card with free
Lufthansa's Miles & More loyalty programme has launched a UK debit card in partnership with Currensea. The card offers a 10,000-mile sign-up bonus, prevents miles from expiring, and is free for the first year for Senator status members.
Lufthansa has launched a Miles & More debit card in the United Kingdom today. The card, issued in partnership with Currensea, comes with a £180 annual fee but offers a free first year for Senator members and is free for life for HON Circle members.
The first 500 applicants will receive an extra 5,000 bonus miles. All cardholders receive a 10,000-mile bonus after spending £2,000 in foreign currency during their first card year. Holding the card also stops a member's Miles & More miles from expiring.
Card benefits and bonuses
The Miles & More Debit Card provides several key benefits beyond the sign-up incentive. Each card year, members receive a voucher for a one-person visit to any Lufthansa Business Class lounge when flying with a Lufthansa Group airline. Cardholders and their guests can also use the Lufthansa business class check-in desks at London Heathrow's Terminal 2 when flying with the airline group.
An annual renewal bonus of 5,000 miles is awarded when a cardholder spends £15,000 in any currency during the previous card year. Senator and HON Circle members are charged the £180 fee but receive a refund within 10 working days.
Earning rates and mile conversion
The card's earning structure is straightforward. Members earn one Miles & More mile per £1 spent on the card in any currency. Spending directly with Lufthansa Group airlines earns two miles per £1. The source states that one mile per £1 for UK spending is a "very strong offer" compared to other debit cards.
A unique feature allows cardholders to convert miles earned specifically through card spending into status Points and Qualifying Points. The conversion rates are as follows:
| Miles Converted | Status Points | Qualifying Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 20 | 20 |
| 10,000 | 40 | 40 |
| 15,000 | 60 | 60 |
| 20,000 | 80 | 80 |
| 25,000 | 100 | 100 |
This conversion is limited to once per calendar year and excludes sign-up or promotional miles.
Additional card features
Other benefits include a 0.99% foreign exchange fee for spending outside the UK, which is lower than the typical 2.99% fee. The card also provides 6GB of global eSIM data per year, delivered as six 1GB vouchers. Cardholders get a one-time 15% discount on a cash purchase at the Lufthansa Worldshop.
The report highlights that the card's ability to stop miles from expiring is particularly valuable. Miles & More miles normally expire after three years if a member does not have elite status. The source suggests the card is especially useful for anyone with a large miles balance nearing its expiry date.
For UK spending, the article calls this "the most generous debit card" of the eight currently on the market from hotel and airline loyalty programmes. The writer concludes that for Senator members eligible for a free first year, signing up is an easy decision given the bonus miles.
