AMEX vs Miles & More: Why You Need BOTH (2026)
AMEX points CANNOT be converted into Miles & More! Why you still need BOTH systems and how the combination of AMEX MR + M&M miles works.
Quick answer: AMEX Membership Rewards and Miles & More are two completely separate points systems. A transfer between them is NOT possible. The best strategy: use both in parallel — AMEX MR for flexibility (10 airline partners) and Miles & More for Lufthansa/Star Alliance flights.
The question almost every miles beginner asks: should I collect Miles & More miles or AMEX Membership Rewards? The answer surprises many: they are two completely different systems.
The fundamental difference
Before we go into detail, the most important thing:
AMEX points CANNOT be transferred to Miles & More.
This is the most common beginner mistake. Many think they can simply send their AMEX points to Miles & More. That’s not possible — and never will be. They are two separate systems with no connection.
Miles & More at a glance
Miles & More is the frequent flyer program of the Lufthansa Group. It includes:
- Lufthansa
- Swiss
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Eurowings (partially)
How you collect Miles & More miles
- Through flights — automatically as a program member
- Miles & More credit cards — 1-2 miles per euro spent
- Partner activities — hotels, rental cars, online shopping
What you can use M&M miles for
- Award flights with Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners
- Upgrades from Economy to Business/First
- Hotel rewards (less recommended)
The most important numbers (as of 2026)
Since June 2025 there are two systems: dynamic pricing for the Lufthansa Group and fixed pricing for partners.
Business Class (round trip):
| Route | LH dynamic | Partner Chart |
|---|---|---|
| Europe short-haul | 15,000-50,000 | - |
| Europe ↔ USA | 90,000-140,000 | 125,000 |
| Europe ↔ Asia | 110,000-180,000 | 160,000-200,000 |
First Class (round trip):
| Route | LH dynamic | Partner Chart |
|---|---|---|
| Europe ↔ USA | 200,000-360,000 | 215,000 |
| Europe ↔ Asia | 240,000-400,000 | 260,000 |
Fare classes: Basic (cheap, no refund), Basic Plus (+10%), Flex (flexible, +25%)
Money-saving tip: Departing from elsewhere in Europe (Oslo, Prague, Sofia) is often 30-50% cheaper!
Best M&M card? The Miles & More Gold Business offers a 4,000 miles + 40 status points welcome bonus (until 30 April 2026). More on this: Miles & More welcome bonus
AMEX Membership Rewards at a glance
Membership Rewards is the bonus program from American Express. Unlike Miles & More, MR points are not airline miles but a currency of their own.
How you collect MR points
- AMEX credit cards — 1-1.5 points per euro spent
- Welcome bonuses — up to 200,000 points with the Platinum Business
What you can use MR points for
- Transfer to airlines — British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Flying Blue and more
- Transfer to hotels — Hilton, Marriott (less recommended)
- Direct travel bookings — via the AMEX travel portal
Transfer partner overview (as of 2026)
Best options (ratio 5:4, i.e. 20% loss):
- British Airways (Oneworld) ⭐
- Iberia (Oneworld) ⭐
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue (SkyTeam) ⭐
- SAS EuroBonus (SkyTeam) ⭐
Recommended with limits (worsened to 3:2 since August 2025, i.e. 33% loss):
- Singapore Airlines (Star Alliance), Cathay Pacific, Delta, Etihad, Qatar
- Emirates (now a 2:1 ratio, 50% loss — not recommended!)
Best AMEX MR card? The AMEX Platinum Business* offers a 200,000 MR welcome bonus — enough for several Business Class flights. More on this: Redeeming AMEX MR — the complete guide
Can you convert AMEX Membership Rewards into Miles & More?
Not directly. The detour via PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 point = 1 mile) is technically possible, but at a 3:1 ratio it destroys value. There is no direct partnership between the two programs.
AMEX MR can instead be transferred to these airline partners:
- British Airways Avios (Oneworld, 5:4) — ideal for short-haul awards
- Flying Blue (SkyTeam, 5:4) — good for promo awards
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Star Alliance, 3:2) — top choice for Asia flights
For Lufthansa flights you need Miles & More miles — either directly via an M&M credit card or through a PAYBACK to M&M transfer.
You’ll learn how to redeem AMEX points optimally in the AMEX points redemption guide.
The direct comparison
| Criterion | Miles & More | AMEX MR |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Airline miles | Flexible points |
| Collected through | Flights + credit card | Credit card only |
| Redeemable at | Lufthansa Group + Star Alliance | Many airlines (via transfer) |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
| Expiry | No expiry with an M&M credit card | No expiry with an active card |
| Transfer possible | No | Yes (to partners) |
Why the combination makes sense
The smart strategy is to know both systems and use them depending on the situation:
Miles & More for:
- Flights with Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian
- When you fly a lot with Star Alliance anyway
- Senator status (additional benefits)
AMEX MR for:
- Maximum flexibility
- Higher welcome bonuses (up to 200,000 MR vs. 4,000 M&M miles)
- Access to other alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam)
The optimal card combination depends on your personal situation: How much do you spend? Do you fly often with Lufthansa? Are you self-employed? In the Premium Handbook we show you the best combination for your profile — including a cost-benefit analysis and the order in which to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer AMEX points to Miles & More?
No. This is not possible and is not offered.
Which system is better?
Neither is objectively “better.” Miles & More is specialized in Lufthansa, AMEX MR is more flexible.
Do I need both?
Not necessarily, but the combination opens up more possibilities.
Do my points/miles expire?
AMEX MR: No, as long as you have an active MR card. When you cancel, all points expire — transfer them to partners beforehand!
Miles & More: Miles expire after 36 months without activity. With a Miles & More credit card (even the cheap Blue starting at €5.50/month) every card transaction counts as activity — miles practically never expire.
Conclusion
Miles & More and AMEX Membership Rewards are two different tools with different strengths:
- Miles & More for Lufthansa loyalty and Star Alliance flights
- AMEX MR for flexibility and high welcome bonuses
The key takeaway: they are separate systems — the detour via PAYBACK (3:1) isn’t worth it. Use both in parallel.
How to best use your points for premium flights: Booking Business Class with miles: how it works
Which card combination is optimal for you, you’ll learn in the Premium Handbook — with a personal strategy based on your budget and travel behavior.
All strategies in the Premium Bundle
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