Frequent Traveller status (FTL) is the entry-level elite tier in Miles&More, yet it uniquely includes airport lounge access. While Star Alliance Silver status generally provides very few alliance-wide perks, travelers who primarily fly with the Lufthansa Group and its partner airlines may find that FTL offers sufficient benefits without needing to chase a Star Alliance Gold tier like Senator.
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Qualification
There are two main paths to qualify within a single calendar year: The standard method requires earning 650 Points across all Star Alliance airlines, of which at least 325 must be Qualifying Points earned on Miles&More partner airlines (currently 12 carriers). Alternatively, you can earn status by completing 25 segments on Miles&More partner airlines using the Uptrip app. For frequent short-haul Economy travelers within Europe, this offers a practical shortcut.
Only flights operated by the following airlines count as qualifying segments:
- Lufthansa
- Air Dolomiti
- Austrian
- Brussels Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Discover Airlines
- Eurowings
- ITA Airways
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa City Airlines
- Luxair
- SWISS International Air Lines
Whether earned through points or segments, Frequent Traveller status remains valid until the end of February of the second year following qualification.
Earning FTL for Approx. €700
For travelers looking to earn Frequent Traveller status quickly via a segment run or mileage run, a few routing strategies exist:
One option involves Eurowings ‘BizClass’ flights to the Middle East, which book as long-haul flights at relatively low prices (often around €500). Same-day turnarounds make these viable for weekend trips, though regional developments can impact route stability.
Another alternative is flying domestic segments within Poland on LOT Polish Airlines. For instance, round-trip flights between Rzeszów and Gdańsk via Warsaw are often available for around €90.
Flying that route 8 times round-trip (plus one additional one-way flight) costs under €750 in airfare, excluding accommodation and ground expenses.
While doing a dedicated run solely for entry-level status is rarely worthwhile, taking a targeted short-haul trip can help bridge the gap if you are just a few points or segments short at the end of the year.
Credit card holders in Germany can also purchase FTL status directly for €650 or 80,000 miles until September 30.
Benefits as a Frequent Traveller
Upon qualifying, your award miles are protected from expiration. You also gain access to several practical travel perks:
More Miles with the Executive Bonus
You receive an Executive Bonus. For revenue-based award miles, the bonus ranges between 25% and 50% depending on the airline. Note that the bonus no longer applies to status points.
Business Class Check-In
Frequent Travellers may use priority Business Class check-in desks at airports when flying with the Lufthansa Group and LOT. This significantly cuts wait times compared to standard Economy lines. On Eurowings, FTL members may also use priority check-in counters even on fares that normally exclude counter service.
Access to Lufthansa Business Class Lounges
In addition, you gain access to airport Business Lounges, with several key rules to note:
- Access is granted to Business Lounges operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and the LOT Business Lounge in Warsaw when departing on a same-day Star Alliance flight.
- When flying on Eurowings, you must have booked at least the Smart fare (access is excluded on basic Light fares).
- Complimentary guest access is not included (unlike Star Alliance Gold).
While lounge options for FTLs are more limited than with Star Alliance Gold, access is available at major hubs as well as several international outstations outside the DACH region, including Milan, Paris, London, Washington D.C., and New York.
A Lufthansa Group ticket is not required to access Lufthansa Business Lounges; any Star Alliance ticket qualifies. For example, flying Aegean from Frankfurt to Thessaloniki or United from Washington D.C. to Seattle grants access to the local Lufthansa Lounge.
Extra Baggage Allowance
Frequent Travellers receive an additional checked baggage allowance on Lufthansa Group airlines and select partner carriers. Specific rules vary by brand and fare class:
- Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian & Brussels Airlines:
- Economy Light: No checked bag
- Economy Classic / Flex: 2x 23 kg (instead of 1x 23 kg)
- Premium Economy / Business / First: No additional allowance
- LOT Polish Airlines:
- Economy Saver: 1x 23 kg (instead of 0)
- Economy Standard: 2x 23 kg (instead of 1x 23 kg)
- Premium Economy / Business: No additional allowance
- Croatia Airlines:
- FlyEasy: No checked bag
- FlyOpti / FlyFlexi: 2x 23 kg (instead of 1x 23 kg)
- Business Class: No additional allowance
- Luxair:
- Economy Light: No checked bag
- Economy Smart / Flex: 2x 23 kg (instead of 1x 23 kg)
- Business Class: 3x 32 kg (instead of 2x 32 kg)
- United Airlines:
- 1 additional bag allowance
For travelers frequently flying with two bags, this perk can provide substantial savings. Note that Eurowings does not grant extra baggage allowances based on elite status.
More Benefits
FTL members receive higher waitlist priority (third highest within the Lufthansa Group) and access to a dedicated Miles&More customer service phone line
Because FTL status equates to Star Alliance Silver, members also receive standard Star Alliance Silver priority waitlisting across all alliance member carriers, along with select perks on specific airlines (such as higher boarding group priority on United).
Outside of the Lufthansa Group, Star Alliance Silver benefits are minimal. For substantial alliance-wide perks, Star Alliance Gold remains the standard:
Status Validity
Frequent Traveller status is valid until the end of February of the second year following qualification. For example, qualifying in October 2026 gives status validity through February 2028. There are no reduced requalification criteria; the full requirements must be met each calendar year.
Conclusion
Frequent Traveller is arguably the most valuable Star Alliance Silver tier, primarily due to included lounge access across the Lufthansa Group. For frequent European travelers flying on Lufthansa and its partners, FTL provides solid day-to-day utility, though dedicated status runs are rarely justified solely for this tier.
Alternatives
If your primary goal is lounge access, consider an independent lounge program like Priority Pass Prestige for global lounge coverage, though third-party lounge quality varies compared to Lufthansa’s dedicated Business Lounges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Once you earn 30,000 Qualifying Points on Lufthansa Group flights, you retain Frequent Traveller status for life. Qualifying at the minimum threshold each year requires approximately 47 years to reach this milestone.
Miles&More does not list Edelweiss as an official airline partner. However, booking an Edelweiss flight via a SWISS code-share ticket typically awards points. Booking directly on an Edelweiss ticket will not earn points.
No. Following program changes, status is valid only until the end of February of the second year following qualification.
No, only paid cash tickets are eligible to earn Status Points and Qualifying Points.
No, Condor is completely independent of Lufthansa and has no active partnership with Miles&More.
No. Eurowings does not grant additional baggage allowances based on elite status, regardless of fare class.