On August 30, 2023, Lufthansa, specifically the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, launched its in-house Uptrip app on the blockchain along with its first NFT collection.
Now, just before the second anniversary, it is time to take a closer look at the Uptrip NFT card functionalities and assess what has become of the project.
For this purpose, we analyzed data from OpenSea, Dune, OKX, and Polygonscan to provide insights into whether and how NFTs are actually being used within Uptrip.
Data and Facts about Uptrip NFT cards
- Total supply: approx. 8,235 cards
- Number of wallets holding NFTs: 587 holders
- Average per holder: 14 Uptrip NFTs
- 445 different cards recorded on the blockchain
- Entry price: 2.69 MATIC (approx. €0.55)
- Highest listing on OpenSea: approx. €245
- 90-day average price: just under €5 across 78 sales
- Trading fee for Miles & More: 7.47%
Uptrip NFT cards: Holder Structure and Analysis
Among the 587 cardholders, two accounts stand out:
- One account with 465 cards (including many very low-value ones such as “Miles & More Member” or “Travel ID”).
- Another account with 179 cards.
Together, they hold almost 8% of all cards.
The rest is widely spread: some users own 70+ cards, but many hold only 1–3. The latter suggests that they merely tested the NFT functionality once.
When compared with Uptrip’s active user base (15,000–20,000 active users and 200,000 accounts in total), the picture becomes clear: Even under optimistic assumptions, only 3–4% of active users have interacted with them. Less than 0.3% of all accounts have ever used NFTs and one the Uptrip NFT cards.
Use and Monetization of Uptrip NFTs
Uptrip NFT cards can:
- be redeemed for collections
- serve as collectibles
- be traded outside the Uptrip marketplace
However, trading volume remains very low. According to Dune Analytics:
- approx. 2,800 sales in total
- 198 unique buyers, 72 sellers
- total sales volume: about €1,850
- historical average price: €0.66 per card
The current 3-month average of around €5 is misleading, since the number of trades has dropped significantly.
Miles & More generated just €138 in revenue from creator fees at 7.47% – essentially nothing. OpenSea also suspended the enforcement of creator fees around the time the collection launched, making the real figure likely even lower.
It is important to stress: the success of a loyalty program should not be measured by direct NFT revenues. Still, the low figures help explain why Lufthansa has not further developed this feature.
Known Issues
- Faulty redemptions: cards could not be redeemed for collections for minutes, sometimes even days – highly problematic with limited-time offers.
- No re-trading: once on the blockchain, cards cannot be traded on the Uptrip marketplace. A promised feature for this was never implemented.
- Synchronization issues: cards purchased on NFT marketplaces sometimes do not appear in the app. Uptrip acknowledges the issue, but there is no fix. In some cases, a standard card is added manually as a goodwill solution.
- Incomplete blockchain coverage: an estimated 600 different cards exist, but only 445 are on the blockchain. Some newer ones, like the Pixel-Art Lufthansa Allegris cards, were never integrated.
You may also be interested in our review of known issues and bugs of the Uptrip App.
Statement from Uptrip
When asked about these issues, Uptrip responded:
“Yes, we are still actively working on the topic – both regarding technical error analysis and the further development of the NFT functionality as a whole. NFTs remain a fixed part of Uptrip, and we are working on improving their use.”
(Hint: Translation – Original statement in German language)
Conclusion: Disappointment After Two Years
The original idea of bringing a loyalty program onto the blockchain was innovative and certainly helped position Uptrip internally within the Lufthansa Group.
Two years later, however, the picture is sobering:
- Uptrip NFT cards have attracted very few users.
- There is no active market trading on NFT platforms.
- Functionality is error-prone, and blockchain cards are hardly usable.
- From a commercial standpoint, the initiative is a loss.
Despite announcements of continued development, it seems unlikely that Uptrip or Miles & More will significantly improve the NFT functionality anytime soon. For now, the recommendation is clear: do not move your cards onto the blockchain – unless your goal is simply to experiment with the technology.
Interesting Read: Our analysis on Uptrip NFT card availability and historic trades.
