Earning Miles: The 7 Best Methods 2026 (Without Flying)

Quick answer: Yes, you can earn 200,000+ airline miles per year without flying a single time. The 3 most important methods: (1) credit card welcome bonuses (up to 200,000 points with the AMEX Platinum Business alone), (2) everyday spend with AMEX and Miles & More cards, (3) earning PAYBACK points and transferring them to Miles & More with a 20-25% bonus.

Most people think you have to fly constantly to earn airline miles. The opposite is true: The most successful mileage collectors in Germany earn the bulk of their points on the ground - through credit cards, everyday purchases and clever strategies.

In this guide I’ll show you the 7 best methods to earn miles without flying - from simple to advanced.

Why Earn Miles? The Real Value

Before we dive into the methods: Why is all this worth the effort?

A concrete example: A round-trip in Lufthansa Business Class from Frankfurt to New York normally costs about €4,000-6,000. With miles you only pay the taxes and fees - with Lufthansa that’s roughly €1,100-1,300 for a round-trip (due to high carrier surcharges, most recently raised again in March 2026). The savings: over 70%.

This works because airline miles are worth significantly more when redeemed correctly than when earned. A Membership Rewards point is “worth 1 cent” when earning - but when redeemed for Business or First Class the value is 1-3 cents per point.

Redemption type	Value per point
Cashback / Shopping	~0.5 cents
Economy award flight	~0.8-1 cent
Business Class award flight	~1.5-2.5 cents
First Class award flight	~2-4 cents

So the trick is: earn points as cheaply as possible and redeem them as valuably as possible. How to redeem miles optimally is shown in the AMEX redeem points guide and in the guide to booking Business Class with miles.

The 2 Major Mileage Systems in Germany

In Germany there are two relevant systems for earning miles. Choosing the right system is the first and most important step:

AMEX Membership Rewards (MR)

• Earn rate: 1-1.5 MR per euro
• Transfer: To 10 airline partners (Avios, KrisFlyer, Flying Blue and others)
• Advantage: Flexible redemption, many partners
• Disadvantage: AMEX isn’t accepted everywhere

Miles & More

• Earn rate: 0.5-1 mile per euro (depending on the card)
• Transfer: Use only Lufthansa and Star Alliance
• Advantage: Directly usable for Lufthansa flights
• Disadvantage: Less flexible, miles expire after 36 months without a credit card

I explain the most important differences in detail in the AMEX vs Miles & More comparison. Spoiler: Most mileage collectors use both systems in parallel.

Method 1: Welcome Bonuses - The Fastest Method

By far the fastest way to earn tens of thousands of miles all at once. When applying for a credit card you receive a welcome bonus if you reach a certain spend within the first few months.

Current Welcome Bonuses (June 2026)

Card	Bonus	Spend requirement	Annual fee
AMEX Platinum Business*	200,000 MR	€15,000 in 6 months	€850
AMEX Platinum Personal*	85,000 MR	€10,000 in 6 months	€720
AMEX Business Gold*	75,000 MR	€10,000 in 6 months	€175
AMEX Gold Personal*	50,000 MR	€5,000 in 6 months	€240
M&M Gold Business	4,000 miles	-	€138
M&M Blue Personal	500 miles	-	€5.50/month

Note: The increased bonuses of the AMEX Platinum Personal (85,000 MR) and AMEX Gold Personal (50,000 MR) are a promotion until 30 June 2026 — after that the standard bonuses apply again.

You’ll find the complete overview of all cards in the credit cards with welcome bonus comparison 2026. For a detailed review of the best premium card, read the AMEX Platinum review.

By the way: In the US, welcome bonuses are once again significantly higher — the US AMEX Platinum offers, for example, up to 175,000 MR. How Germans can get US credit cards is explained in the guide US credit cards for Germans 2026.

Calculation example: If you apply for the AMEX Business Gold (75,000 MR) and the AMEX Gold Personal (50,000 MR) at the same time, you’ll have 125,000 MR points after 6 months - enough for a Business Class round-trip to North America.

Pro tip: The optimal order and combination of card applications is crucial. In the Premium Handbook we show you the exact 6-month plan with which you’ll earn over 500,000 points.

Method 2: Everyday Spend With the Right Credit Card

After the welcome bonus, ongoing card spend is the second most important earning source. The idea: Run every expense you already have through the right card.

AMEX Cards

Card	Earn rate	Annual fee
AMEX Platinum*	1 MR/€ (1.5 MR/€ with Turbo for €15/yr)	€720
AMEX Business Gold*	1 MR/€	€175
AMEX Gold*	1 MR/€	€240

Miles & More Cards

Card	Earn rate	Annual fee
M&M Gold	1 mile/€	€138
M&M Blue	1 mile/€2	€5.50/month

Important: The PAYBACK AMEX* does earn PAYBACK points, but at a significantly worse rate (1 point per €3 instead of 1 per €2). It’s still worthwhile as a free entry-level card. All PAYBACK strategies in detail: Earning PAYBACK points: 11 tips for 3x more points

Where AMEX Is Accepted

The most common argument against AMEX: “It’s not accepted anywhere.” That was true 10 years ago - today acceptance in Germany is significantly better:

• Online shops: Almost all major shops (Amazon, Otto, Zalando)
• Supermarkets: EDEKA, Netto, Aldi (at many locations)
• Gas stations: Aral, Shell, Total
• Restaurants: Most upscale restaurants
• Travel: Hotels, airlines, rental cars - almost everywhere

Where AMEX doesn’t work, you pay with your Miles & More card or a free Visa/Mastercard.

Method 3: Earning and Converting PAYBACK Points

PAYBACK is the largest bonus program in Germany with over 30 million users. What most people don’t know: PAYBACK points can be converted into Miles & More miles - often even with a transfer bonus of 20-25%.

How It Works

1. Earn PAYBACK points at partners (EDEKA, dm, Aral, Amazon)
2. Transfer points to Miles & More (1:1 ratio)
3. Wait for a transfer bonus (20-25% extra miles)

With a 25% transfer bonus, 10,000 PAYBACK points suddenly become 12,500 Miles & More miles. That’s significantly more valuable than cashing out as money (10,000 points = only €100).

The complete guide to linking accounts and why you should absolutely avoid the automatic mileage subscription can be found in the PAYBACK to Miles & More transfer bonus guide.

The Best PAYBACK Partners

Partner	Point rate	Tip
EDEKA	1 point / €2	Use coupons for 3x to 10x
dm	1 point / €2	Regularly high multipliers
Aral	1 point / 2 liters	Extra points at the car wash
Amazon	1 point / €2	Start via payback.de

Watch out: REWE and Penny have no longer been PAYBACK partners since 2024. Use EDEKA or Netto instead.

You’ll find all 11 tips for maximum PAYBACK points in our Earning PAYBACK points guide.

Pro tip: The combination of earning PAYBACK points and a targeted transfer to Miles & More is one of the most effective strategies. The optimal timing and details on coupon stacking are revealed in the Premium Handbook.

Method 4: Shopping Strategies (Triple-Dip & Wunschgutschein)

This is where it gets really interesting. With the triple dip strategy you earn points three times on a single purchase:

1. Layer 1: PAYBACK points on the purchase (+ eCoupon multipliers)
2. Layer 2: Credit card points (AMEX MR or M&M miles)
3. Layer 3: Additional bonuses (cashback portals, partner promotions)

The concept sounds simple, the effect is enormous: Instead of 0.5% return you get 5-8% value on your regular purchases.

An important tool here is the Wunschgutschein. You buy it in the PAYBACK online shop, activate eCoupons with multiplied points beforehand, and redeem the voucher at one of over 500 partners (Amazon, Zalando, MediaMarkt, IKEA and many more).

I explain the basics of the strategy in the Wunschgutschein & Triple-Dip guide.

Pro tip: The specific multipliers, optimal purchase timing and step-by-step instructions for the triple dip can be found in the Premium Handbook.

Method 5: Using Recurring Expenses and Bills

Rent, electricity, mobile phone, insurance - every month hundreds of euros go to recurring expenses. What most people don’t know: Even rent can be paid by credit card - and you earn points on everything.

Telekom & Mobile

You can pay your Telekom bill through a clever workaround with AMEX MR or PAYBACK points - and earn extra points in the process. The MultiGuthaben strategy for Telekom bills explains how to set this up.

Other Recurring Expenses

• Rent: Yes, rent can also be paid by credit card - and brings in hundreds of points every month
• Insurance: Many insurers accept credit card payment
• Streaming services: Pay Netflix, Spotify, Disney+ with AMEX
• Subscriptions: Magazines, cloud storage, software

Calculation example: With €1,500 in monthly recurring expenses via an AMEX card you earn 18,000 MR points per year - just from spending you already have.

You’ll find the complete step-by-step guide with all recurring expense categories in the guide paying recurring expenses with a credit card.

Pro tip: There are even more methods to earn points on recurring expenses that go well beyond the credit card. The complete recurring-expenses strategy can be found in the Premium Handbook.

Method 6: Mileage Pool With Family and Friends

You earn Miles & More miles, your partner does too - but neither of you reaches enough for an award flight on your own? The Miles & More mileage pool solves exactly this problem.

How it works:

• Free for all Miles & More members
• Up to 2 adults + 5 children (under 18) per pool
• No family relationship required - friends can join too
• All award miles flow into a shared pot

Important: Each pool member needs their own Miles & More credit card to prevent their own miles from expiring. A card only protects the cardholder’s miles, not the partner’s.

You’ll find all the details, pitfalls and the setup guide in the Miles & More mileage pool guide.

Method 7: Bonus Programs and Hidden Sources

Besides credit cards and PAYBACK there are other ways to earn miles in everyday life - from apps to corporate programs to hotel bookings. Some of these sources are little known but bring in several thousand extra miles per year.

• Frequent flyer apps: There are apps with which you earn Miles & More miles without actively doing anything
• Corporate programs: Self-employed people and employees can earn miles twice through special programs - in addition to their personal account
• Hotel bookings: Earn PAYBACK points via booking.com, use Gold status at Marriott and Hilton with the AMEX Platinum

Pro tip: Which apps and programs these are, how to set them up and how to earn thousands of bonus miles every year is shown in the Premium Handbook - including referral codes and step-by-step instructions.

Your Plan: How to Earn 200,000+ Points in Your First Year

Here’s a realistic scenario for beginners who want to start right away:

Source	Points per year
AMEX Gold welcome bonus	50,000 MR
AMEX Business Gold welcome bonus	75,000 MR
Ongoing card spend (€1,500/month)	18,000 MR
PAYBACK points (with coupons)	15,000-25,000 points
Transfer bonus (+25%)	+3,750-6,250 extra miles
Shopping strategies	10,000-20,000 points
Total	~170,000-195,000 points

That’s enough points for a Business Class round-trip to Asia or North America - and you didn’t make a single flight for it.

Pro tip: Advanced collectors earn over 500,000 points in their first year with the strategies from the Premium Handbook. The 6-month master plan shows you the exact path.

What You Can Do With Earned Miles

The exciting question: What’s possible with all those miles?

Business Class Flights

Route	Points needed	Regular price
Europe (within)	25,000-50,000	€1,000-2,500
North America	70,000-120,000	€3,000-6,000
Asia	70,000-100,000	€3,500-7,000

You’ll find the complete booking guide in our booking Business Class with miles guide.

Lounge Access

With the AMEX Platinum you get access to over 1,800 Priority Pass lounges worldwide - plus the exclusive Lufthansa lounges. Everything about it in the lounge guide.

Hotel Upgrades

Through Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status (included with the AMEX Platinum) you get free room upgrades, late checkout and breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are airline miles and how do they work?

Airline miles (or bonus miles) are points you earn at airlines or credit card partners. You can redeem them for award flights, upgrades or other rewards. The two most important programs in Germany are Miles & More (Lufthansa) and AMEX Membership Rewards.

Can you really earn miles without flying?

Yes - and most successful mileage collectors do exactly that. Through credit card welcome bonuses, everyday spend, PAYBACK points and shopping strategies, heavy collectors earn over 200,000 points per year without a single flight. The most effective methods are credit card welcome bonuses and the triple dip.

Which credit card is best for earning miles?

It depends on your budget. For beginners the AMEX Gold (€240/year, 50,000 MR welcome bonus) offers the best value for money. Those who want to invest more get significantly more out of the AMEX Platinum (€720/year, 85,000 MR) or the AMEX Platinum Business (€850/year, 200,000 MR).

Do miles expire if I don’t fly?

With Miles & More miles expire after 36 months of inactivity - but not if you have a Miles & More credit card. Then your miles are valid indefinitely. AMEX Membership Rewards points generally don’t expire as long as your account is active.

How many miles do I need for a Business Class flight?

For a Business Class round-trip from Germany you need between 50,000 and 120,000 miles depending on the destination. Within Europe, 25,000-50,000 points are often enough; to North America or Asia it’s 70,000-120,000.

Is earning miles worthwhile for small amounts?

Yes, because every euro on the credit card earns 1 point. Even small amounts add up: Someone who spends an average of €1,500 per month on their AMEX earns 18,000 MR per year - that’s enough for an Economy flight to Greece. The real leverage, though, comes from welcome bonuses and shopping strategies.

Can I convert PAYBACK points into airline miles?

Yes, PAYBACK points can be converted 1:1 into Miles & More miles. Even better: 1-2 times a year there are transfer bonuses of 20-25% where you get extra miles for free. To do this you need to link your PAYBACK account with Miles & More.

What is the difference between AMEX MR and Miles & More?

AMEX Membership Rewards are flexible points that you can transfer to 10 airline partners (British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Flying Blue and others). Miles & More miles are tied directly to Lufthansa and Star Alliance. The detour MR → PAYBACK → M&M (3:1) isn’t worthwhile - use both systems in parallel.

My Experience: What I Earned in My First Year

When I started earning miles on the ground, I was surprised myself at how fast it goes. Through the combination of welcome bonuses, everyday spend and PAYBACK, I had more points in my account after 6 months than frequent flyers do after years. The decisive moment was my first Business Class flight, for which I didn’t pay a cent - only miles and strategies from this guide.

My most important learning: No single method delivers the breakthrough, but rather the combination of all methods. Welcome bonuses are the turbo, but the ongoing strategies (credit card, PAYBACK, shopping) ensure that the supply never runs out.

Conclusion: Earning Miles Is Worthwhile - If You Do It Right

Earning miles without flying is no longer a secret. The combination of credit card welcome bonuses, optimized everyday spend and clever shopping strategies makes Business and First Class flights accessible to everyone.

The most important takeaways:

• Start with welcome bonuses - that brings the most points the fastest
• Use AMEX and Miles & More in parallel - both systems complement each other
• Don’t forget PAYBACK - earn points and transfer them to Miles & More with a transfer bonus
• Every euro counts - run all recurring expenses and purchases through the right card

Want the complete step-by-step plan with all strategies, specific multipliers and the 6-month master plan? In the Premium Handbook we show you how to earn over 500,000 points in your first year - including strategies you won’t find in any blog.