Miles&More: What You Need to Know About Upgrades with eVouchers

Since the status match from SAS EuroBonus to Miles&More, the number of status holders with eVouchers has increased significantly. Let’s clarify what these upgrade vouchers can be used for and where an eVoucher upgrade is worthwhile.

Typically, eVouchers are primarily held by Senators and HON Circle Members, as they receive them with each (re)qualification of their status. Once issued, eVouchers are valid for 24 months until the end of the quarter. There are also two ways for Frequent Travellers and non-status Miles&More participants to obtain eVouchers, which we’ll discuss later.

Distribution of eVouchers as a status benefit with Miles&More:

• Senators: 2 eVouchers upon (re)qualification of status
• HON Circle Members: 4 eVouchers upon (re)qualification of status

In addition to these, there are two further options for obtaining eVouchers. One of these options was introduced in our article about the Lufthansa UpTrip App, where collections can regularly unlock eVouchers.

The other option involves so-called Extra Benefits. These vary depending on the status level and are aimed at those who exceed the regular requirements with additional flights on Lufthansa Group airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Luxair, or Croatia Airlines. In short, those who earn more Qualifying/HON Circle Points than necessary. These Extra Benefits allow you to earn eVouchers as follows:

• 700 Qualifying Points: For Frequent Travellers
• 2,200 Qualifying Points: For Senators
• 7,000 HON Circle Points: For HON Circle Members
• 10,000 HON Circle Points: For HON Circle Members

This means that Miles&More status holders who fly frequently with the Lufthansa Group can collect more eVouchers than those earned through qualification alone.

What Does an Upgrade with eVouchers Cost?

The most important information upfront: eVoucher pricing only differentiates between continental and intercontinental flights. For example, an eVoucher upgrade costs the same for flights from Frankfurt to Dubai as it does for flights from Frankfurt to Singapore when starting from the same booking class.

Upgrading Within the Lufthansa Group with eVouchers

First, let’s look at the upgrade possibilities available with eVouchers within the Lufthansa Group. For continental flights (e.g., within Europe), one eVoucher is required to upgrade from economy to business class. However, upgrades on long-haul flights are much more worthwhile. Below is all the relevant information.

Upgrading to Premium Economy with eVouchers

It is, of course, possible to upgrade an economy ticket to premium economy class using eVouchers. While this is generally not the best use, for the sake of completeness, here are the requirements:

• Economy ⇨ Premium Economy
  • Booking classes K, L, T: 2 eVouchers
  • All other booking classes: 1 eVoucher

Upgrading to Business Class with eVouchers

You can now upgrade from any mileage-eligible economy or premium economy booking class to business class on Lufthansa Group flights. Depending on the booking class, you’ll need the following number of eVouchers:

• Economy ⇨ Business Class
  • Booking classes K, L, T: 3 eVouchers
  • All other booking classes: 2 eVouchers
• Premium Economy ⇨ Business Class
  • Booking class N: 2 eVouchers
  • All other booking classes: 1 eVoucher

It may be worthwhile to book a base ticket in a higher booking class to save an eVoucher if the price difference isn’t too high. Similarly, booking an economy ticket instead of a lower-priced premium economy ticket and upgrading it for the same two eVouchers may be a better option.

Upgrading to First Class with eVouchers

The most attractive option for eVouchers is upgrading to first class. This is possible from all mileage-eligible Business Class booking classes (P, Z, C, D, J). However, it’s not possible to upgrade an economy ticket to business class and then to first class, as award upgrades (eVouchers or miles) are booked into class I.

• Business Class ⇨ First Class
  • All eligible booking classes: 2 eVouchers

With regular business class sales from European airports, this is likely the most attractive way to access Lufthansa or Swiss First Class. Additionally, the availability of eVoucher upgrades often seems better than booking an award flight.

Upgrading at Partner Airlines with eVouchers

Although eVouchers can be redeemed with most Miles&More partner airlines, there are some restrictions.

To upgrade your flight with an eVoucher, it must be booked in an upgrade-eligible booking class. While all booking classes (except award classes X, R, I, and O) within the Lufthansa Group are upgradeable, the situation is different for partner airlines.

In particular, Miles&More is restrictive regarding upgrades from economy class, e.g. with Singapore Airlines, only the two highest economy booking classes can be upgraded. Premium economy and business class upgrades are more accessible, though the lowest booking classes in these categories are still excluded.

You can find an overview of all upgradeable booking classes for the respective partner airlines eligible for upgrades in the Miles&More Partner Overview.

This provides an opportunity to use eVouchers for an upgrade to Singapore Airlines’ Suites. The principle here is that for each higher cabin class (except from business to first class), you pay one eVoucher. Even if the operating airline on the flight doesn’t offer a premium economy class, you still need two eVouchers to upgrade from economy to business class. The breakdown is as follows:

• Economy ⇨ Business Class
  • All eligible booking classes: 2 eVouchers
• Economy ⇨ Premium Economy (only available with LOT, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines)
  • All eligible booking classes: 1 eVoucher
• Premium Economy ⇨ Business Class
  • All eligible booking classes: 1 eVoucher
• Business Class ⇨ First Class
  • All eligible booking classes: 2 eVouchers

How Can I Book an Upgrade with eVouchers?

There are two basic options for booking an upgrade with eVouchers. Unfortunately, there’s no clear rule about when an upgrade will be confirmed. Availability of award seats does not guarantee an immediate upgrade confirmation.

Unlike award flights (excluding the Senator waitlist), you can be placed on a waitlist for upgrades. If revenue management releases additional seats for upgrades, your upgrade will be confirmed based on your position on the waitlist. It’s possible to get your upgrade confirmed well in advance, but it’s equally possible that you’ll only know at the airport—or not receive the upgrade at all.

Upgrade Booking via the Miles&More Website

The first way to book an eVoucher upgrade is through the Miles&More website. Here’s how:

Log in to your account overview. Navigate to your Booking Overview under the “Bookings” menu.

Select “View flight bookings or add a new booking” to see all bookings linked to your Miles&More profile, regardless of whether they are eligible for an upgrade.

For each booking, you’ll have options to upgrade, add passenger details, or complete entry data. Under “Upgrade,” you can check which flight segments are eligible for an upgrade and how many miles or eVouchers are required.

When confirming the eVoucher upgrade, ensure that your eVouchers are selected for payment.

If not, you’ll be charged in miles instead. Also, upgrades online can only be booked for all passengers within a reservation.

Upgrade Booking via the Miles&More (Status) Hotline

The second and more comprehensive option is booking an upgrade via the Miles&More (status) hotline. This is particularly beneficial for Senators and HON Circle Members, as they can take advantage of additional availability through the Senator waitlist. This waitlist allows for extra availability for top-tier status members, which can only be accessed by contacting the hotline.

The relevant Miles&More hotline can be found at the bottom of the website under Service – Help & contact.

The regular Miles&More hotline is available seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while the status hotlines are accessible 24/7. When calling, you can request an upgrade using eVouchers for your booking by providing the booking code XXXXXX. A key advantage of booking an upgrade via the Miles&More hotline is that it allows you to upgrade individual or third-party passengers. However, the booking will be split so that the upgraded passenger receives a separate booking code.

Tips for Redeeming eVouchers

Here are some tips to help you maximize the value of your eVouchers:

1. eVouchers provide the best value on long-haul routes, as pricing is calculated per segment and booking class rather than by distance.
2. eVouchers are most worthwhile for upgrades to first class or from high economy or premium economy booking classes to business class, especially if the ticket was provided by a third party.
3. Booking an eVoucher upgrade via the hotline is preferable to booking on the Miles&More website. The hotline offers additional availability and access to the waitlist.
4. Since upgrades are calculated per segment, it’s usually more cost-effective to upgrade only long-haul flights without connecting flights. If a connecting flight also requires an upgrade, paying for it directly may be more economical.
5. The likelihood of a confirmed upgrade is significantly higher with Miles&More airlines compared to partner airlines. This is particularly important for planning eVoucher redemptions.
6. eVouchers are the simplest way (apart from a paid ticket) to access Swiss First Class, as a waitlist is available for upgrades, unlike for award flight availability.

Translated by Ditmar