Miles & More Welcome Bonus 2026: Current Bonuses at a Glance

Quick answer: Current M&M welcome bonuses 2026: Gold Private 4,000 miles, Gold Business 4,000 miles, Blue Private 500 miles, Blue Business 1,000 miles. The +40 status points add-on (switching bonus through 30 April 2026) expired on 1 May 2026. Recommendation: Blue Private for mileage-expiration protection, Gold for the insurance package. Combine with AMEX Gold + PAYBACK AMEX for maximum points.

The Miles & More credit cards still offer an attractive welcome bonus. The former switching bonus with 40 extra status points expired on 1 May 2026 — but the mileage amounts remain unchanged.

Here you’ll learn which card is worth it for you and how to lock in the bonus.

The current welcome bonuses

Card	Welcome bonus	Annual fee	Apply for card
Gold Business	4,000 miles	€11.50/month	Get it now
Blue Business	1,000 miles	€5.50/month	Get it now
Gold Private	4,000 miles	€11.50/month	Get it now
Blue Private	500 miles	€5.50/month	Get it now

Note: Through 30 April 2026 there were an additional 40 status points as a switching bonus. This extra add-on expired on 1 May 2026 — but the mileage amounts have stayed unchanged.

Which card is right?

Gold cards (4,000 miles)

Advantages:

• Higher welcome bonus
• 1 mile per €2 spend (1 mile per €1 on Business when abroad)
• Travel insurance included
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status

Worth it for:

• Card spend over €500/month
• Anyone who needs travel insurance
• Anyone actively collecting miles

Recommendation: The Miles & More Gold Business is the best entry point for self-employed people and anyone who wants to actively collect miles.

Blue cards (500-1,000 miles)

Advantages:

• Lower annual fee (€66 vs €138)
• Mileage-expiration protection: every transaction resets the 36-month timer
• A good entry into the Miles & More system

Worth it for:

• Beginners at collecting miles
• Lower monthly card spend
• Anyone who already has other travel insurance

Business vs. Private?

The cards are nearly identical. The difference:

• Business cards: For the self-employed, freelancers, entrepreneurs — separate billing for business expenses
• Private cards: For everyone else

Tip: Small business owners and freelancers can apply for business cards too.

How to lock in the bonus

Step 1: Choose a card

Decide between Gold or Blue, Business or Private. When in doubt: Gold Business has the best value for money for active collectors.

Step 2: Apply online

The application takes about 10 minutes:

1. Go to the Miles & More website
2. Select a credit card
3. Enter your personal details
4. Verify your identity (VideoIdent or PostIdent)
5. Submit the application

Step 3: Reach the minimum spend

For the full welcome bonus, a minimum spend in the first few months is usually required. The exact conditions are stated in the application.

Step 4: Get your miles credited

The welcome miles are automatically credited to your Miles & More account — usually within 4-6 weeks after you meet the conditions.

What you can do with 4,000 miles

4,000 miles sounds like a little — but it’s a good start:

• Upgrade: 4,000 miles can enable an upgrade on a short-haul flight
• Collect: Combined with other strategies, your account grows quickly
• Donate: Miles & More offers mileage donations for charitable causes

The real value lies in the system: once set up, you collect miles on every card transaction — and the cards protect your miles from expiring.

Miles & More vs. AMEX — Which is better?

Miles & More cards are ideal for Lufthansa frequent flyers. But for maximum point yield, combining them with AMEX cards is worthwhile.

Important to know: AMEX Membership Rewards CANNOT be transferred directly to Miles & More. They’re two separate systems. But AMEX MR offer significantly higher welcome bonuses (up to 200,000 points) and their own redemption options.

More on this:

• Miles & More vs AMEX: What’s the difference?
• Redeeming AMEX points: The complete guide
• Booking business class with miles

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for multiple cards?

Yes, you can have both a business and a private card. Both bonuses are credited.

Are there still the 40 status points as a bonus?

No, the switching bonus with 40 status points expired on 30 April 2026. Currently there are only the mileage amounts as a welcome bonus, without a status points add-on.

Do I need a Miles & More account?

Yes, but it’s free and created in 2 minutes. You can set it up directly during the card application.

Is the card worth it even without a high welcome bonus?

For frequent flyers, yes — collecting miles on every transaction adds up, and the cards protect all your existing miles from expiring.

All cards at a glance

Besides Miles & More, there are other cards with strong welcome bonuses. Here’s the complete overview:

See also: Credit cards with a welcome bonus 2026: Current overview

Conclusion

The Miles & More credit cards are a solid building block in the miles system:

• 4,000 miles welcome bonus (Gold)
• Mileage-expiration protection for M&M miles
• Cheapest entry with Blue Private (€5.50/month)

My recommendation: Apply for Miles & More Gold Business now

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The Miles & More credit card is a solid building block in the miles system. The Premium Handbook shows you how to optimally combine it with AMEX cards and reach 500,000+ points a year.