Book Lufthansa first-class flight to Europe using Chase's 100,000-point welcome offer

Quick summary

Lufthansa first class offers a refined, consistent experience with standout ground services, including a dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and private tarmac transfers.
Award seats for Lufthansa first class are challenging to secure, as most partner programs only release availability within two weeks of departure, often just days before the flight.
The best redemption rates are typically found through select airline loyalty programs, with varying taxes and fees depending on the route and program used.
The onboard experience features premium amenities such as caviar, high-end Champagne, luxury amenity kits and exceptionally comfortable beds.

What to consider

Award availability for Lufthansa first class is limited and often released last-minute, requiring flexibility in travel planning.
Booking through Lufthansa’s own loyalty program can provide greater access to seats but may involve higher surcharges and limited points-earning options for U.S.-based travelers.
Redemption rates and out-of-pocket costs vary significantly by loyalty program, with some offering lower taxes and fees than others.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed walkthrough of the booking process, ground experience and in-flight highlights that set Lufthansa first class apart from competitors.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Germany’s flag carrier — Lufthansa — has engineered a quintessential first-class experience: luxurious, functional, consistent and comfortable, yet without the over-the-top opulence of some of its counterparts.

A Lufthansa first-class ticket can set you back over $11,000. Luckily, you are able to book this product using points and miles. While there’s no debating that Lufthansa first class is a pleasure to fly, actually securing precious award seats can be tricky — but it is still worth the extra effort.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about booking Lufthansa first class with points and miles.

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Where are Lufthansa first-class flights offered?

Lufthansa 747 — BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

Lufthansa currently offers first class aboard the following long-haul aircraft: the Boeing 747-8, the Airbus A340-600 and the Airbus A380. The airline is installing an all-new first-class suite on the Airbus A350 as part of its Allegris rollout.

Lufthansa operates a variety of these aircraft on routes between the U.S. and Germany:

Between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and the following airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Miami International Airport (MIA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Between Munich Airport (MUC) and the following airports: BOS, Denver International Airport (DEN), EWR, ORD, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LAX, MIA, San Diego International Airport (SAN) and SFO.

Lufthansa also operates first class to select destinations in South America, Africa and Asia from Frankfurt and Munich.

How do I find Lufthansa's first-class award availability?

The easiest way to book Lufthansa flights with points and miles is to use Miles & More, the loyalty program of Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. Like Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program, Lufthansa reserves more first-class seats for its members than members of partner airlines.

The issue is that Miles & More is not a transfer partner of any major credit card programs, so earning miles in this program is difficult. This program also charges large carrier-imposed surcharges, making the redemption less attractive.

Lufthansa does not open any first-class award seats to partner programs until a maximum of 14 days before departure, though it will likely only be a few days before departure. Therefore, flexibility is key when it comes to booking an award flight using a partner program.

In the weeks before your desired flight, consider using Google Flights or ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) to see how many paid first-class seats are available on each flight to determine how many seats may be released as awards at the last minute.

If zero seats are available or only one seat is for sale as a cash fare, it’s unlikely any first-class award seats will be released. If more than four first-class seats are still for sale, at least two will likely be made available to book with partner rewards, though this may only be a day or two before departure.

Seats.aero, a platform to find award availability, has a handy first-class flight finder that will show you all the seats available with partner points and miles.

Here are the three best programs to book Lufthansa first class:

Air Canada Aeroplan

Mileage required (one-way): 90,000 miles from the West Coast, 100,000 miles from the Midwest and East Coast
Taxes and fees: Reasonable, around $50 for a flight to Germany or less than $200 for a flight from Europe to the U.S.
Transfer partners: American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy

Avianca LifeMiles

Mileage required (one-way): 130,000 miles to Europe
Taxes and fees: Low, only $30.60 for a flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt
Transfer partners: American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and Wells Fargo Rewards

United Airlines MileagePlus

Mileage required (one-way): 140,000 to 165,000 miles to Europe
Taxes and fees: Around $140 for a flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt
Transfer partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy

Is Lufthansa first class worth it? 7 things I loved about my experience

I recently redeemed 100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points to book a Lufthansa first-class flight from Frankfurt to Houston. Since the cash price of the flight was around $11,000, I received a redemption rate of about 11 cents per point, which is incredible considering TPG values Aeroplan points a 1.4 cents apiece, per our April 2025 valuations.

To book this flight a few days in advance, I used Seats.aero's first-class finder tool, and with a few destinations to choose from, I chose Houston primarily because the route is operated by the iconic Boeing 747-8 aircraft.

Having flown first class on several different airlines, including British Airways, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines, this was easily one of the best flights of my life. Here's why.

First Class Terminal

Lufthansa first class experience — BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

When originating from or transiting through Frankfurt, Lufthansa offers a separate First Class Terminal incorporating a First Class Lounge, one of the most premium ground experiences you'll find anywhere in the world.

Forget lining up at a check-in desk; a representative met me at the curb, whisked my passport and checked luggage away to be processed out of sight, escorted me through a private security lane, and helped me settle into this exclusive lounge.

Once inside, there was a private duty-free store, cigar lounge, a la carte restaurant, plenty of Champagne, and areas to relax, work or socialize.

If you want even more privacy in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, ask to take a nap or a bubble bath.

The staff offered me a choice of two nap rooms, which were like mini hotel rooms. They had full-size beds, fresh linen and complete privacy, so I could get some rest before my next flight.

There were also spacious bathroom suites where I was offered one of the famous rubber ducks as a souvenir to take home after a shower or soak in a tub.

Private tarmac transfer

Probably my favorite part of the entire travel day was going from the terminal to the aircraft.

I was taken downstairs to a waiting luxury vehicle, where I enjoyed a private transfer directly across the tarmac, past some of Lufthansa's largest aircraft, to my awaiting flight to Houston.

For even casual aviation fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sitting in the nose of the Queen of the Skies

Although Lufthansa offers first class on several different aircraft types, the Boeing 747-8 is definitely the most unusual. Installed in the front of the "nose" of the lower deck, the eight seats are spread across three rows, but I recommend trying to nab a seat in Row 1, which I did just a few days before departure.

Nobody was in front of me, and I realized I was sitting slightly ahead of the pilots upstairs, so I felt like I was driving the aircraft. There were four windows for each passenger to enjoy the view, and with so many airlines having retired their Queen of the Skies, this was a real treat for a long-haul flight.

Caviar and Champagne

Of course, what is first class without Champagne and caviar?

Lufthansa offered Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne on my flight across the Atlantic, which retails for around $275 per bottle. The multicourse lunch started with caviar served with all the trimmings and second helpings enthusiastically offered by the crew.

Lots of onboard gifts

It was like Christmas morning aboard this first-class flight as the crew offered various goodies and take-home gifts, including:

A luxury amenity kit with Augustinus Bader toiletries in a Porsche Design case
Cumuli slippers
Van Laack sleepwear
A box of farewell chocolates

A loo with a view

There was a dedicated first-class bathroom with plenty of space to change into my pajamas. I loved that there was a window to enjoy the views across the Atlantic, especially over icy Canada.

Comfortable bed

I've tried plenty of lie-flat flights during my travels, and I can confidently say this was one of the most comfortable beds I've slept in — on the ground or in the air.

After enjoying the food and amenities offered on this first-class flight, I asked the crew to make my bed, complete with a mattress topper, duvet and multiple pillows. Shockingly, this bed was more comfortable than my bed back home.

Overall, flying Lufthansa first class is more than just simply taking a long-haul flight; it's an entire experience.

Best way to earn points and miles to book Lufthansa first class

With the best Lufthansa first-class redemption rates offered by Air Canada's Aeroplan program, consider a credit card that earns rewards that transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 rate, including:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see ): Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see ): Earn 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Bottom line

Lufthansa’s first-class product is undoubtedly one of the finest ways to cross the Atlantic. From the incredible First Class Terminal in Frankfurt to the tarmac transfer in a luxury vehicle and the impressive onboard experience, complete with caviar, Champagne, pajamas and plenty of other goodies. I can't recommend it enough and kept pinching myself that I could fly like this by redeeming points and miles.

If you're game for booking at the last minute, it's an incredible use of points and miles.