Lufthansa's Allegris Seats: A Rewards Traveler's Dream

The wait is (almost) over! Lufthansa's new Allegris business class seats are nearing their debut on the Boeing 787-9, promising a significantly enhanced travel experience. This is exciting news for those of us who love to use credit card rewards to fly in style. With lie-flat seats, improved privacy, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems, the Allegris cabin is a major upgrade.

How to Snag a Seat with Credit Card Points and Miles

Securing a business class seat on Lufthansa, especially on a newly launched product, requires some strategic planning. Here's how to maximize your credit card rewards for this travel experience:

  • Understand Lufthansa's Partner Network: Lufthansa is part of the Star Alliance. This means you can redeem miles from other Star Alliance programs, such as United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan, for Lufthansa flights. Compare redemption rates between programs to find the best deal. Websites like Points.me or Roame.travel can help you compare options.
  • Transfer Bonuses: Keep an eye out for credit card transfer bonuses. Banks like Chase, American Express, and Capital One often offer limited-time promotions where you can transfer your credit card points to airline partners with a bonus (e.g., 20% more miles). This can significantly reduce the number of points needed for your flight.
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards: Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio. Use a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on everyday spending and travel purchases.
  • American Express Membership Rewards: Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio, and often run transfer bonuses. The American Express Platinum card and American Express Gold card are excellent choices for accumulating Membership Rewards points.
  • Capital One Miles: Capital One miles transfer to several Star Alliance partners, including Avianca LifeMiles. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a popular choice for earning Capital One miles.
  • Book in Advance (or Last Minute): Award availability tends to be best when booking far in advance (10-11 months) or very close to departure (within a few weeks). Be flexible with your travel dates to increase your chances of finding available seats.
  • Consider Positioning Flights: If direct flights are unavailable or too expensive, consider booking separate positioning flights to a Lufthansa hub like Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) and then connecting to your final destination.

Credit Card Strategy: Accelerated Earning

To quickly accumulate the points needed for a Lufthansa business class flight, focus on maximizing your credit card spending in bonus categories. For example:

  • Travel: Use a credit card that offers bonus points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, car rentals).
  • Dining: Many cards offer elevated rewards on dining, which can help you rack up points faster.
  • Everyday Spending: Put all your everyday spending on a rewards credit card to earn points on every purchase.

Monitor Award Availability

Use tools like ExpertFlyer to monitor award availability on Lufthansa flights. This will help you identify opportunities to book your desired flight using your credit card rewards.

Actionable Takeaway

Start planning now! Research award availability, compare redemption rates, and strategize your credit card spending to earn the points you need to experience Lufthansa's new Allegris business class. Don't wait – these seats will be in high demand!