There may be a number of worth to having airline elite standing, although it goes with out saying that not all elite standing ranges are created equal. On this put up I needed to take a better take a look at Lufthansa’s HON Circle elite standing, which could simply be the world’s most unique airline elite tier with printed qualification standards.
Right here in the USA, we’ve got American Concierge Key, Delta 360, and United International Providers, however these are all invitation-only, with no printed qualification necessities. In the meantime Lufthansa HON Circle standing has printed necessities, it’s only a very laborious standing to earn. So let’s go over all these particulars.
How do you earn Lufthansa HON Circle standing?
HON Circle is Lufthansa’s highest of three elite tiers, because it’s above Frequent Traveller and Senator standing. Whereas the standing isn’t invitation-only, it’s most likely more durable to earn than most standing ranges which might be.
With the present program, you obtain HON Circle standing by incomes 600,000 elite qualifying miles with Miles & Extra over the course of two consecutive calendar years. That’s numerous flying, and there are even further restrictions on high of that.
Solely flights in first and enterprise class qualify towards HON Circle standing, and solely miles earned on choose airways, together with Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, and so on., qualify towards HON Circle standing.
The excellent news is that Lufthansa affords accelerated mileage accrual for premium cabin journey. Beneath is Lufthansa’s mileage incomes chart for lengthy haul journey.
In different phrases, to earn HON Circle standing you’d need to fly a median of:
- 100,000 miles per yr in paid top quality
- 150,000 miles per yr in full fare enterprise class
- 200,000 miles per yr in discounted enterprise class
That’s quantity of costly flying! On the similar time, for a enterprise traveler who can e book full fare enterprise class, it’s not essentially really that a lot flying. For instance, a single month-to-month lengthy haul full fare enterprise class journey would nearly get you to HON Circle. Nonetheless, that takes numerous consistency.
Be aware that Lufthansa is predicted to make main elite program modifications as of 2024, whereby standing may be earned primarily based on qualifying factors reasonably than elite miles. This might have some intriguing implications for these trying to mileage run.
What are the advantages of Lufthansa HON Circle standing?
Usually European frequent flyer packages aren’t as beneficiant as US packages (although I suppose the hole is narrowing), so the advantages aren’t that massive on paper. The advantages of HON Circle standing embody:
- A 25% mileage bonus
- Six eVouchers (it takes one to 2 vouchers per improve, so this equates to 3 to 6 upgrades each two years)
- Senator standing for a partner
- A meet-and-greet service in Frankfurt and in any respect intercontinental locations
- An extra baggage allowance
- Top notch check-in (although all Star Alliance Gold members get that)
- The best precedence for operational upgrades, and in addition particular therapy from the crew
Oh, and most significantly of all, HON Circle members at all times get entry to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Lufthansa First Class Lounges, and SWISS First Class Lounge, no matter what cabin they’re flying.
That’s such a cool profit. If I had been a HON Circle member I’d most likely e book low-cost tickets between Frankfurt and Munich each weekend simply so I might hand around in these lounges. Then once more, if I had been a HON Circle member I’d most likely be so uninterested in these lounges that I wouldn’t wish to go to them anymore. 😉
To me the First Class Lounge entry is the most important perk of this standing, given how distinctive Lufthansa’s First Class Lounges are.
It’s particularly cool if you happen to’re Frankfurt primarily based, because you’ll by no means have to make use of the precise terminal once more. You possibly can simply be dropped off on the First Class Terminal, benefit from the lounge, after which be pushed to the aircraft. What a perk!
What number of Lufthansa HON Circle members are there?
I’ve no clue. I’ve seen estimates that there are someplace round 5,000 members, which most likely sounds about proper to me. In my expertise there are sometimes anyplace from one to 5 per lengthy haul flight. All of it relies upon how premium the route is, the day of the week, and so on.
Am I jealous of Lufthansa HON Circle members?
On one hand I’m tremendous jealous of HON Circle members, since they get to make use of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal so typically. However, I really feel dangerous for the way a lot time most HON Circle members spend in Lufthansa enterprise class. I think about a small minority of HON Circle members completely fly paid top quality, however the variety of people who find themselves able to try this is restricted.
So as a substitute most HON Circle members are spending most of their time in Lufthansa’s sub-par enterprise class.
Positive, SWISS’ enterprise class is a bit higher, however in the end these merchandise nonetheless aren’t actually aggressive to the very best on the market. So it’s one factor if you happen to work for a corporation with a company contract and flying Lufthansa enterprise class is the one possibility, however if in case you have any flexibility, you’re giving up a greater onboard expertise by selecting to fly Lufthansa. I’d a lot reasonably fly enterprise class on an airline with a greater enterprise class product and forgo the the primary class floor expertise, however that’s simply me.
Backside line
Miles & Extra HON Circle standing is among the most unique standing ranges on the market, because it requires 600,000 standing miles each two years. Whereas the perks aren’t that massive, entry to top quality lounges is a really good profit that particularly good if you happen to’re primarily based in Frankfurt, given the First Class Terminal. So the subsequent time you’re on a flight with a HON Circle member, now you understand simply how a lot time they spend on the airline.
