Monthly Archives

August 2025

Uptrip NFT Analyse Icon en

After receiving extensive feedback and inquiries about our Uptrip NFT analysis on the two-year anniversary, we’re diving deeper today to examine the offers and trades within the Miles & More app. In this article, we answer key questions: Which cards are available? Can trading rare Uptrip cards be profitable? And what should collectors watch out for when trading?

There are now over 7,000 Uptrip collectible cards on the blockchain. We took the time to review and categorize them. While trading activity has been limited so far, there could still be opportunities for individual users to find a sweet spot.

Here’s a look at the most frequently appearing cards:

  • Welcome: 672
  • Lufthansa: 378
  • Frankfurt: 238
  • Miles & More Member: 207
  • Munich: 202
  • Travel ID: 191
  • Eurowings: 185
  • Birthday: 172

The prevalence of these standard cards isn’t surprising. Their current price ranges from €0.70 to €4. However, the number of NFTs actually listed for sale is relatively limited.

Beyond the standard cards, there’s a wide variety of rare ones. 78 cards exist in three copies or fewer, while 41 are unique, appearing only once on the blockchain. Some of the most intriguing rare cards include:

Uptrip NFT B747-200
Uptrip NFT EW A318
Uptrip NFT Abbotsford
Uptrip NFT St. Petersburg

EZE-FRA: Representing the “LH Longest Flight,” though the card name seems to have been entered incorrectly during minting.

Abbotsford: Not an actual Lufthansa destination, likely created randomly during the Christmas event on December 24, 2024.

St. Petersburg: Similar to Abbotsford, a rare card representing a destination never – or not recently – served by Lufthansa.

Karlsruhe: A legitimate Eurowings destination, uncommon but not a one-of-a-kind rarity.

Airbus A318: Allegedly a Lufthansa Group flight, though our research indicates this plane was never used by Lufthansa. The referenced flight EW7753 on October 23, 2024, was operated by an A319.

Cessna 510: Appeared twice as a Eurowings flight NFT; origin unclear.

TravelId Member: Likely a minting typo, creating a unique glitch.

Boeing 747-200F: Retired by the late 1990s, yet it appears in the collection – raising questions about its inclusion.

There have been only a few notable historical trades:

  • Only six deals on OpenSea exceeded $30 at the time.
  • All these trades occurred over 1.5 years ago.
  • The most expensive card was Cape Town, sold for around $40 on December 21, 2013.
  • In the last 90 days, a few Uptrip NFTs changed hands for $25 each.
Uptrip NFTs top Sales 90 Tage
Uptrip’s 90 days top sales view – selected cards were sold for 25 dollars

Miles & More’s Uptrip NFTs present an exciting niche for collectors. Although trading activity has been modest recently, some rare cards offer potential long-term value. Whether the Uptrip market will see a revival remains uncertain – but for passionate collectors, keeping an eye on NFT marketplaces might just pay off.

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Makumu Safari Lodge Icon

In December 2021, Max and I decided to have our honeymoon in the bushes of Kruger National Park. We booked 4 nights at Makumu Safari Lodge, where the views stretched endlessly over the bush. After visiting many other lodges, I realized that this endless 360° view of the landscape is truly unique to this lodge.

Safari panorama
Endles view into the wilderness

That first safari was unforgettable. We were lucky to see all of the Big Five: lions, a leopard, countless elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Our guide patiently taught us about their behavior—how elephants communicate silently through deep vibrations, how lions rely on teamwork, and how every creature plays a role in keeping the ecosystem alive.

hyenas for sundowner
Hyena closing in on sundowner

But the moment that stays with me the most was our sundowner with hyenas. On one of our evening game drives, we stopped to enjoy drinks and snacks while the sun dipped low, painting the horizon in shades of gold and violet. As we settled into that quiet magic, a pack of hyenas appeared in the distance. At first, they watched us cautiously, then curiosity took over.

One young hyena began to approach. Slowly, hesitantly, she came closer—ten meters, then five, until finally she stood barely a meter away from me. I could see the texture of her fur and the shine in her eyes. For a moment, it felt as if time had stopped. She leaned toward the candle flickering on our table, curious about its smell, and quickly realized the flame was not to be touched. We all held our breath, caught between fascination and disbelief.


Our guide remained calm, as he had many encounters with this pack of hyenas. He advised us to stay still and avoid sudden movements. My heart was racing. When I leaned on my husband, the hyena was alerted, ready to run away. That’s when I realized: this animal was more scared of us than we were of it.

When we returned from evening game drives, the lodge itself felt magical. Instead of any electrical light, hundreds of candles lit up the lodge, casting a warm, enchanting glow. On one special evening, they prepared our room with rose petals, a drawn bath, and a bottle of sparkling wine, making it feel utterly romantic and unforgettable.

This safari made me reflect on how humans once lived much closer to nature than we do now. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to go on other safaris. Each one brought new stories, new animals, and new lessons. Yet none have matched the raw wonder of that first trip—the one that made me feel truly part of the wild.

Elefants am pool
Elefant drinking from the pool during our swim

Credit for the title image: https://www.makumu.com/

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Uptrip NFT Review

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.

  • 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 90 days sales view
Uptrip NFTs – 90 days trading overiew (average price and trading volumne)

Among the 587 cardholders, two accounts stand out:

  1. One account with 465 cards (including many very low-value ones such as “Miles & More Member” or “Travel ID”).
  2. 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.

Uptrip Miles & More NFT
Very common: Miles & More NFT Card
Uptrip Erbil NFT Card
Rare finding: Erbil on OpenSea
Uptrip Christmas NFT Card
Uptrip NFTs – Some with high prices

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.

Uptrip NFT cards can:

  1. be redeemed for collections
  2. serve as collectibles
  3. 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.

Uptrip NFT Trade History
Uptrip NFTs – historic trading volume and price on the Polygon Blockchain

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.

  1. Faulty redemptions: cards could not be redeemed for collections for minutes, sometimes even days – highly problematic with limited-time offers.
  2. No re-trading: once on the blockchain, cards cannot be traded on the Uptrip marketplace. A promised feature for this was never implemented.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
Uptrip OpenSea NFT Attribute
NFT cards sometimes missing attributes
Never developed: trading NFTs directly via the Uptrip marketplace

You may also be interested in our review of known issues and bugs of the Uptrip App.

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)

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.

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Hwange National Park Ansicht

Safaris are a very special kind of trip and, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I fell in love with Africa many years ago and have since traveled through 18 African countries, spending more than 50 nights on safari in the African savanna. One of the biggest highlights for me has always been walking safaris. You experience the wilderness and wildlife in a completely different way compared to being in a safari vehicle: your senses are heightened—you see, smell, and hear more intensely. At the same time, you’re active, learning, and discovering things you would never notice from a car.

In this post, I’ll take you along on my journey through a walking safari in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and share some tips for anyone planning such an adventure.

Our trip began with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa to Lusaka (Zambia). We had deliberately chosen a budget-friendly option—it allows you to connect better with local people and experience the country more authentically.

After a day to acclimatize and stock up on supplies, we headed to the local Inter-City Bus Terminal, a bustling place with countless operators. While ticket prices were almost identical, departure times varied greatly. At first, we were sold tickets for a much later bus, but with persistence we managed to get last-minute seats on one that was leaving immediately.

Inter City Bus Terminal Lusaka
Busy bus station in Lusaka

The seven-hour journey from Lusaka to Livingstone offered fascinating glimpses of rural life along the way. Once there, we continued to the Victoria Falls Bridge—a quick stop, and of course, the obligatory bungee jump.

Victoria Falls Brücke
View of the Victoria Falls Bridge
Victoria Falls Bungee Jumping
Crocodiles watching: bungee jumping over the Zambezi

From there, we crossed the border on foot and reached our accommodation in Victoria Falls Town about 40 minutes later. The border crossing was calm and orderly—a welcome contrast to other border experiences I’ve had in Central Africa.

We stayed two nights in Vic Falls, explored the waterfalls, and then set off for our walking safari in Hwange National Park.

For a walking safari in the African bush, the right gear is essential – lightweight, practical, and complete. Here’s my recommended packing list:

Clothing & Footwear

  • Neutral colors (khaki, brown, olive, grey); avoid bright colors or camouflage
  • Seasonal, weather-appropriate clothes: lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirts and long pants (great against sun, insects, and thorns)
  • Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes suitable for warm weather and thorny terrain
  • Highly recommended: light safari gaiters to protect against burrs and sticky seeds
  • Layering is key: mornings and evenings can be cold—bring a fleece, windbreaker, and possibly a hat depending on the season

Sun & Dust Protection

  • Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen
  • Buff or scarf to protect against dust

Daypack & other Essentials

  • Carry only what you need during the day: water, snacks, camera, binoculars, insect repellent
  • Headlamp (very useful for finding the bush toilet at night)
  • Water bottle or hydration system
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera and binoculars
  • First-aid kit and personal medication
  • Malaria prophylaxis if advised (I personally don’t take it, for good reasons)
  • Travel journal to record your experiences

We had found a local operator online. Our guide, Tom, had once been a farmer before Zimbabwe’s land confiscations, and he carried a wealth of experience. He was accompanied by his son – training as a trail guide – and a tracker. In addition, a support team met us at prearranged spots, setting up mobile tents and dropping off supplies. This meant we could travel light, carrying only our daily essentials.

Before setting out in Hwange, we received a thorough safety briefing—far more detailed than for game drives. Tom summed it up in one sentence:

“Only food runs away.”

He told us he had been forced to shoot three lions in his career, each time because tourists panicked and tried to run. He made us promise never to do that again—adding that if it happened next time, he’d let fate take its course. The message was clear: we definitely didn’t want to be the ones to test his resolve.

Hwange National Park
Walking Safari in Hwange Nationalpark, Zimbabwe
Guides im Hwange Nationalpark
On patrol: Guides leading the way

Each morning started early. We walked in single file: Tom with his rifle up front, us behind him – focused and silent. Communication was limited to subtle signals like whistles, taps, or snaps—sounds that wouldn’t startle animals.

This allowed us to study tracks, observe insects, and discover small wonders: shimmering birds, fascinating bugs, and plants that could be used as soap or toilet paper. We even learned how to estimate an elephant’s age from its dung. Impala herds often watched us cautiously from a distance.

From farther away, we also spotted larger animals: giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and hippos.

By early afternoon, the heat slowed us down, but we always reached camp before sunset. During sundowners, we tended to small scratches and thorn pricks. Despite the night sounds of hyenas and the chill, we slept surprisingly well.

Safari Camp und Sundowner
Dinner and sundowners in the African bush
Mobiles Zelt
Mobile tent during our walking safari

African Wildcat – A lightning-fast encounter with one of the rarest sightings in the African bush. Even many veteran safari guides never get to see one.

Elephant Mock Charge – Once, we suddenly came face-to-face with an elephant about 20 meters away. He seemed just as startled as we were. His ears flared wide—then came the mock charge!

Fortunately, we were prepared. We crouched calmly, stayed still, and the elephant charged briefly before stopping, trumpeting indignantly, and turning away. We then slowly backed out of the situation.

The moment reminded me of an encounter with a mountain gorilla in Uganda who also mock-charged me. It’s something you never really get used to.

African Wildcat
Rare sighting: African Wildcat (Pgoto by wildsafariguide.com)
Elefanten Sichtung
Beautiful but dangerous: Elephants crossing

Hwange remains unforgettable for me, and I hope this story inspires others to try a walking safari. A few final thoughts:

Take safety seriously: Follow your guide’s instructions. If it’s your first safari, read up on how to behave around wildlife beforehand.

Protect nature: Check what your safari operator is doing for sustainability. Always follow the principle: leave nothing behind, take nothing with you.

Walking safaris offer a different kind of experience: more sensory, quieter, and deeper than vehicle safaris.

Preparation is everything: The right gear and clear communication with your operator help avoid unpleasant surprises.

The team matters: An experienced guide, tracker, and support crew make all the difference between mere adventure and a safe, meaningful experience.

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Uptrip App Probleme

The Uptrip app offers frequent flyers an exciting way to turn collected boarding passes into digital trading cards and exchange them with other users. In practice, however, there are a number of bugs, glitches, and improvement opportunities that disrupt the user flow. Below, I’ve grouped my observations by topic.

The marketplace is a central feature of the app, yet it suffers from a wide range of small and larger issues:

Many cards—especially aircraft cards—are missing proper designs. This is particularly common with wet lease flights. In such cases, a placeholder card is generated, showing the name of the actual aircraft flown. However, when that card appears on the marketplace, the aircraft type is not displayed.

Example view of an B 737-800 with Eurowings:

Uptrip Karte Eurowings 737-800
View of a Eurowings B737 in the card collection
Uptrip Karte Eurowings unbekannt
Same Uptrip card in the market place: unnamed aircraft

Naturally, the missing type designation usually prevents a trade on the Uptrip marketplace. It’s understandable that there’s no design for aircraft outside the LH Group fleet, and it’s a nice workaround that Uptrip offers a placeholder card. But the fact that this card’s name doesn’t display correctly in the marketplace is an unnecessary glitch.

It’s worth noting that Eurowings is expected to operate its own 737s soon—so adding a proper card design shouldn’t be an issue.

The glitch becomes less understandable with aircraft that are very much part of the airline’s own fleet. For example, Lufthansa’s A340 also lacks a proper design. This might be a matching problem in the app:

Uptrip Karte A340 unbekannt
Lufthansa A340 without design


Some cards don’t even have a type label at all. While this makes them usable in collections, it’s far less appealing for collectors.

Uptrip Karte Edelweiss unbekannt
Edelweiss aircraft without name

Several city cards also lack a design—for example, Mostar, a relatively new Eurowings destination from Stuttgart. Perhaps this one hasn’t yet made its way into the Miles & More database:

Uptrip Karte Mostar
Uptrip city without a design
Unbekannte Städte Uptrip
Unclear card offers in the Uptrip marketplace

Some designs exist in Uptrip but are displayed incorrectly in the marketplace. For instance, Moscow and St. Petersburg cards are shown in a way that makes trading difficult – you can’t tell which card is being offered:

Uptrip Karte St Petersburg
Offer creation view: St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg auf dem Uptrip Marktplatz
Marketplace view: St. Petersburg as unknown city

Plenty of cards exist in Uptrip’s database but cannot be found in the marketplace search at all. This includes many special cards or Insight Art cards, but also destinations like Hanoi or Jakarta:

Uptrip Karte Jakarta
Jakarta – a “classic” of all Lufthansa destinations ;)
Jakarta in der Marktplatzsuche
But unsearchable in the Uptrip marketplace

If you search for “Mauritius,” you’ll be surprised to find the card is labeled “Plaisance.” That was the name of the airport and surrounding region until the late 1980s. While the airport isn’t in St. Louis but about 45 km away, naming it after a city would be more consistent with other cards.

Take Oslo, for example: the airport is also located far from the city center, yet the card is rightly called “Oslo” rather than “Gardermoen.”

Uptrip Karte Mauritius
Mauritius search result showing Plaisance
Search result for “Plaisance” in Uptrip


It gets even more confusing with the Verona/Villafranca card. In your collection, it’s called “Villafranca.” Once listed on the marketplace, it becomes “Verona.” In the “offered cards” section you can only find it under Villafranca, but in the “search cards” tab you have to look for Verona, since Villafranca doesn’t appear there. Anyone unaware that the two names refer to the same card has no chance of finding it.

This glitch has existed since the launch of the app – it was one of the first cards I scanned:

Uptrip Karte Villafranca
Villafranca in the card collection
Uptrip Karte Villafranca Suche
Villafranca in the search (empty)
Uptrip Karte Verona Marktplatz Ansicht
Verona in the marketplace
Uptrip Karte Verona Marktplatz
Verona in the search (empty)


Some users flood the marketplace with an excessive number of offers, pushing casual users’ listings out of sight. One well-known user is responsible for more than half of all listings on many days. This makes scrolling through offers frustrating and cumbersome.

Several users have said this has taken the fun out of using the marketplace. They now only search for cards if they urgently need one for a collection.

I believe a daily limit on offers would be a short-term fix. Longer term, Uptrip will need to figure out how to keep the marketplace attractive—since it’s currently the app’s main monetization feature. As it stands, a lot of potential is being lost, both for Miles & More and for users.

Integration of ITA Cards
ITA has not yet been integrated into Uptrip. According to the product owners, this is due to complex IT connections and a lower priority within the Lufthansa Group.

Upload Bug When Listing Cards
When uploading card offers to the marketplace, the app sometimes freezes and needs to be restarted.

Eurowings Cards
Scanning Eurowings cards has often been problematic. For months, many users couldn’t scan them at all and had to request manual entry. The latest update may have fixed this bug—please share if you’re still experiencing issues.

Distinguishing LH 319 vs. LH City 319
On the card itself, the “City” label is so small it’s barely noticeable, making it look like a duplicate. A clearer visual distinction would help.

Uptrip Karten Unterschied LH und LH City A319
Uptrip Karte Lufthansa City A319
LH City or LH City Airlines – the same for Uptrip?

Unused NFT Potential
Uptrip originally launched with the promise of using blockchain to enable NFT cards and related features. Today, the NFT tab at the bottom of the app feels like a forgotten relic. These ideas haven’t been meaningfully developed since launch. We’ll take a closer look at the Uptrip NFTs in this article.

Inconsistent “Make Change Fly” Rewards
Rewards for the now-ended “Make Change Fly” campaign vary. One well-known account received 40 points, while I was offered a Compensaid voucher. A glitch – or deliberate A/B testing by Miles & More?

The Uptrip app has enormous potential for frequent flyers and card collectors alike, but it’s still hampered by numerous bugs, missing features, and sometimes unclear structures.

Many of these issues are technically solvable and would significantly improve the user experience. Users and the community would greatly benefit from quicker updates and clearer systems. At the same time, Miles & More could profit financially by finally addressing these problems.

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Uptrip Collection Overview

The Uptrip App has released numerous collections over time, offering users various benefits, products, and services. Some are currently active, while others have ended. To make it easier to keep track and spot trends, we’ve divided the collections into four main categories: Miles & More and Status, Lounge & Travel Comfort, Partner Vouchers & Travel Services, and Lufthansa Worldshop & Specials.

The overview below is not exhaustive, as not all historical collections are still visible in the app. Nevertheless, we hope it provides a good sense of what to expect from Uptrip.

These collections focus on points, miles, or specific status benefits, directly targeting frequent flyers and Miles & More users. With these Uptrip collections, you can collect extra qualifying points toward your frequent flyer status—or even achieve full FTL status.

Collection NameStatus
Ready for Takeoff (bis zu 100 Points und Qualifying Points)Active
All Aboard (500 miles)Active
Frequent Traveller (Status)Active
Headliner Pass (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Active
Fashion Capitals (40 Points + 40 Qualifying Points)Active
Insight Art: Make Change Fly (40 Points)Active
Take-Off* (1000 Miles)Ended
Points Collector (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Ended
Eurowings Business Explorer (40 Points + 40 Qualifying Points)Ended
Yes to Europe (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Ended
Winter Wonderland (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Ended
Eurowings Status Collector (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Ended
Eurowings Booster (20 Points + 20 Qualifying Points)Ended
Go West (Upgrade eVoucher)Ended

Target audience: Frequent flyers, Miles & More users, status seekers, mileage hunters, and upgrade chasers.
*Updated: Thanks to the MeilenJunkies Team.

These collections focus on lounges, Wi-Fi, and airport services, aiming to increase comfort during travel and make waiting times more enjoyable. Many of these offers target travelers without status who still want access to perks like business lounges.

Collection NameStatus
Layover Delight (Business Lounge Voucher)Active
Elegance of the North (Business Lounge Voucher)Active
Mediterranean Wonders (Business Lounge Voucher)Active
Eurowings Connected Journey (Wi-Fi Voucher EW)Active
Intercontinental Odyssey (Wi-Fi Voucher Intercontinental)Active
Light Luggage (Airportr €20 Frankfurt)Active
Viennese Comfort (Austrian Business Lounge Voucher)Ended
Stay Connected (Wi-Fi Voucher)Ended

Target audience: Travelers without frequent flyer status, comfort-oriented travelers, occasional travelers, and leisure travelers.

These collections include travel vouchers and services from partners such as Sixt or Babbel. They provide discounts for flights or services not directly related to the airline but designed to make travel more convenient or affordable.

Collection NameStatus
Endless Worlds (Sixt €50)Active
Urban Jungle (Sixt €10)Active
The World is Yours (Free Visa Service)Active
Stay Connected on the Go (1 GB eSIM)Active
Swiss Explorer (Swiss Voucher €50)Ended
Globetrotter Essentials (Amenity Kit)Ended
Lufthansa Explorer (LH Voucher €20)Ended
Helvetia’s Treasures (Swiss Voucher CHF 20)Ended
Business Travel Companion (Swifty Voucher €25)Ended
Vineyard Journeys (winetourism.com Voucher)Ended
Discover Language Worlds (Babbel Voucher)Ended
Make Change Fly (Compensaid Voucher)Ended

Target audience: Very broad; cannot be reduced simply to bargain hunters.

Fun fact: In my account, the “Make Change Fly” collection is listed as ended and with a Compensaid voucher. In my mother-in-law’s account, the same collection is still active and offers 40 Points (not to be confused with the similarly named “Insight Art: Make Change Fly” collection). It’s unclear whether this is a glitch or if Uptrip is experimenting with personalized offers or A/B testing.

This category includes merchandise, fan items, trolleys, sneakers, or lottery offers for Lufthansa Group community flights. These collections often appeal to fans of the Lufthansa brand.

Collection NameStatus
Jet Set On Wheels (branded suitcase on wheels)Inactive
Austrian Timeless Travels (shoulder bag branded)Active
Cape Town Kick (Eco Flight Lottery)Active
Insight Art: Allegris Experience (Trolley “Pixel Art”)Active
Flying Feet (Lufthansa Sneakers)Ended
Jet Set Comfort Amenity Kit #1Ended
Jet Set Comfort Amenity Kit #2Ended
Jet Set Comfort Amenity Kit #3Ended
Aviation It Item (Austrian Sneaker)Ended
Carry-On Comfort (Trolley)Ended
Insight Art: Football Celebration (Fanhansa Model Plane)Ended
Greetings from Afar (Postcard + Shipping)Ended

Target audience: Lufthansa fans, people interested in brand merchandise or exclusive promotions.

Current update: This category includes two Uptrip App collections from the August edition.

Looking at the Uptrip collections, it’s clear the company tries to cater for different needs and audiences. Lounge access and status points are relatively frequent offerings. If you are interested, follow our discussion on how well Uptrip is currently addressing their audience needs.

As a frequent flyer who originally discovered the app because of the points offers, the analysis was surprising. I “felt” that there were relatively few status point promotions—likely because in my account, points are rarely active, as I redeem them immediately. Conversely, lounge access offers, which have little use for someone with Senator status, tend to accumulate in my account.

The variety and value of partner offers, however, could be improved. There are also few active and attractive Lufthansa brand-related collections. This is surprising, given that Lufthansa still has a highly loyal customer base.

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Uptrip collection community feedback

The Uptrip collections in August have sparked mixed reactions within the community. While some users welcome the latest offers, others voiced criticism on social media: too few campaigns, a lack of innovation or usefulness, and a low release frequency. At the same time, it’s clear that Uptrip is still a young product in a phase of growth and experimentation (you can find an estimate of currently active Uptrip users). Let’s take a closer look at the current collections, their potential, and what the future might hold.

When evaluating the current collections, it’s important to keep in mind that Uptrip has only been around for about three years. The app only really gained traction last year, particularly after its integration into Lufthansa’s Miles & More loyalty program – a shift that brought significant changes.

Only recently has Uptrip begun to establish a regular release rhythm. By now, the cadence is similar to Miles & More: roughly monthly collections, though not always at the beginning of the month. That’s a positive step forward for the community.

Still, Uptrip needs to keep its target audience in mind: the app appeals to a younger, more tech-savvy generation accustomed to gamification and fast-paced content. At the same time, the range of offers is not yet on par with Miles & More. The partner list shows that Uptrip is still working internally on expanding attractive partner offers.

Partner_Unternehmen_Uptrip
Uptrip partner companies – still under construction

There’s plenty of room for growth and potential to adress the Uptrip collection community feedback. For now, most collections are based on Lufthansa Group offers, such as:

  • Lounge access
  • Flight rewards or vouchers
  • Miles and Points
  • Products from the WorldShop

This should not be underestimated, however: most users are Lufthansa Group fans, so these options are still valuable to them.

To adress the Uptrip collection community feedback and to expand the growing of the community and demanding user base, Uptrip will need to broaden its collections and release them more frequently. Here are some ideas we at Scantofly have gathered (beyond the much desired Senator collection):

Innovative and exclusive Uptrip offers

  1. Free checked baggage voucher (even in Eco Light fares)
  2. Free seat selection voucher (across participating airlines)
  3. Complimentary Fast Lane access where pre-booking slots is available
  4. Limited First-Class Terminal/Lounge access (off-peak times)
  5. Blind booking tickets
  6. (More) exclusive products from the World Shop

More redemption options for Miles & More

  1. More frequent opportunities to earn a few extra miles
  2. Qualifying Points as a contribution toward status
  3. eVouchers or other upgrade options
  4. Vouchers for flight bookings
  5. Regular free WiFi vouchers (usable multiple times)
  6. Vouchers for the World Shop

Uptrip is still in an experimental and growth phase. Especially within the Lufthansa Group, quick and flexible solutions aren’t always possible right away. Criticism of the current collections is understandable, but it should be seen in the context of how far the product has already come. With more variety, higher frequency, and targeted offers, Uptrip has the potential to keep delighting its users.

The fact that Uptrip wants to evolve is already clear: selected users were recently invited to interviews to share their wishes and suggestions. We at Scantofly are excited to see which steps Uptrip will take next.

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Hiking the Torres del Paine O Circuit in Patagonia is one of the most unforgettable trekking adventures in the world. Over eight challenging yet rewarding days, this trail takes you through dramatic mountain passes, ancient forests, massive glaciers, and the iconic granite towers of Torres del Paine National Park. In this day-by-day trip report, you’ll find detailed insights, practical tips, and personal experiences from the full O Circuit. If you are more interested in the planning for the O Circuit at Torres Del Paine, please read our post here. Hope you enjoy the read.

The trek began gently, with rolling hills and wide-open meadows. We were full of energy on the first day and finished the hike in just 3 hours and 15 minutes — faster than expected, probably fueled by excitement for the adventure ahead.


When we reached Camp Serón, we found that most of the shady tent spots were already taken — a small lesson in arriving early. Shade is precious here, as the sun can be strong.
The camp itself was simple but welcoming. There was even a small kiosk where we treated ourselves to a burger and a cold beer — a surprisingly good way to celebrate our first night in the wilderness.


We were looking forward to seeing the stars at night, but it didn’t get truly dark until around 10:30 p.m. We wanted to sleep early to start our hike early the next morning — a challenge that, unfortunately, repeated itself every day.

Starting at Seron to Refugio Dickson
The first hike starts with fields of flowers

The trail wound its way along a wide river, peaceful and shimmering in the sun. After a while, we reached a section with a wooden boardwalk laid over soggy ground, likely built to protect the fragile grass and small lagoons underneath.
From there, the trail narrowed dramatically into a very thin path, just wide enough for one person. On the right, the valley dropped steeply, while on the left, the mountain rose sharply. Although it was a little nerve-wracking, the stunning views made every careful step worthwhile.

From Dickson to Campamento Los Perros
Endless path to Refugio Dickson

Day three started with a steep uphill hike that led us to an incredible viewpoint overlooking the Grey Glacier. The scene was breathtaking. However, the wind hit us quickly. Ice particles flew through the air, stinging our faces and making it impossible to enjoy the view for more than a few minutes.

Afterwards, the trail leveled out for a while and then dipped slightly downhill as we continued toward Campamento Los Perros. The campsite, tucked between trees, offered a welcome refuge and was well protected from both wind and rain.

Finally, as evening approached, we were already thinking ahead. Knowing the upcoming hike would be a serious challenge made the camp feel a little tense, even though we tried to relax.

Los Perros via John Gardner Pass to Refugio Grey
Fun in the rain and cold

We woke up at 5:30 a.m. The latest check-out from camp was 7:00 a.m. — no joke! The camp workers were strict, and they practically kicked us out to start the hike to the next camp.

At first, the day began with a short 5-minute stroll through the forest. It was a gentle warm-up before the real climb began. Soon after, the trail grew steep and we pushed our way uphill through the trees. Eventually, the forest thinned out and we found ourselves in an exposed, treeless zone. Our path was covered in loose stones, and for nearly two hours we climbed steadily on the slippery, rocky trail.

Reaching the top was worth every step. Grey Glacier stretched endlessly before us, a vast sheet of ice fading into the clouds. The view felt both infinite and otherworldly.

The descent turned out to be just as demanding. First came a steep downhill over barren, windswept slopes. Then the path led us back into the forest. At one point, we scrambled up a rocky section, and later we crossed two narrow bridges. The scenery along the way was breathtaking — glacier views, rugged cliffs, and wide valleys opening below us.

By late afternoon, we finally reached Camp Grey, the largest campsite so far. It offered warm showers, a welcoming restaurant, and even some couches — a rare luxury on this trek

View on Grey Glacier
Grey Glacier – one highlight of the trip

After the long and exhausting climb over the John Gardner Pass, we treated ourselves to a slower morning. We slept in until 7:00 a.m. and only hit the trail around 8:00. The hike was an easy day — a gentle walk with no major climbs — and it took us just 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Camp Paine Grande.
Lunch, however, was less exciting. For the fourth day in a row, we opened our lunch box to find the same sandwich. To this day, we’re not sure if it was chicken or tuna in some kind of orange-colored sauce. It had been tasty the first two days, but by now the sight of it was… well, not so thrilling anymore.

Paine Grande to Camp Frances
View on the lakes of the glacier outskirts
Camp Frances back to Central Camp
Scenery on the last hikes

Today’s hike was short in distance but wild in experience. We faced the craziest wind yet — at one exposed crossing, with no trees on either side and a vast lake stretching out to the left, the gusts were so strong that we had to lie flat on the ground for a full minute before daring to get back up and run for cover between the trees. Patagonia’s winds are no joke.
Along this section, trekkers can choose between staying at Refugio Italiano or Campamento Francés (this choice must be made at the time of booking). We had booked Francés, which turned out to be a good decision despite its quirks.
There’s also the option to hike up to the Mirador Británico, a spectacular viewpoint in the French Valley. Unfortunately, we missed it this time.

Campamento Francés is built on a hillside, which means plenty of up-and-down walking within the camp itself. The restaurant is located in the valley, and while they offered a few simple sandwiches, anyone craving a proper hot meal needed to have reserved it well in advance — no walk-in orders accepted.

We started our hike from Francés and, after about an hour, reached Camp Los Cuernos. We took a short break there to refill our water bottles and have a quick look around. The common area looked really cozy, a place where it would have been nice to linger — but we still had ground to cover.
From there, we continued along the trail until we finally reached Camp Central. This was by far one of the most crowded camps of the trek, much larger and busier than the ones we had gotten used to. Despite the noise and activity, we decided to settle in for the evening, rest up, and prepare for our final hike the next morning.

Starting to Torres Del Paine Lookout
Finishing the O Track with beautiful view

We had heard the weather would be warm and sunny, so the final hike to the Torres viewpoint was best done early. That morning, we woke up at 4:50 a.m. and were on the trail by 5:15, leaving our tent at Central behind.

The climb itself was magical. As we gained height, the sunrise lit up the valley, painting the mountains in golden colors. Along the way, we passed Camp Chileno and paused briefly to refill our water bottles. We felt energetic and motivated, and the ascent took us around 3 hours and 30 minutes, including a long break.

The last kilometers were the hardest. The rocky path became steeper and the climb felt demanding. Yet the reward was immense. At last, we reached the turquoise lagoon beneath the Torres, with the granite towers soaring straight into the sky. A few other hikers were already there, and it felt wonderful to share the view while enjoying some snacks and drinks.

On the way down, the sun grew stronger and the heat began to rise. We were very glad to have started early. Back at Camp Central, we took a quick shower, packed our bags, and caught the shuttle bus to the park entrance. From there it was a 1.5-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales, followed by another 3 hours to Punta Arenas — tired but happy, carrying home unforgettable memories of completing the full O Circuit.

Lagoon of Torres Del Paine
Amazing view on the mountain top
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Park Sign Torres Del Paine

From Santiago’s vibrant streets to the wild heart of Patagonia, our Chilean adventure was one for the books. Eight days on the O Trek took us through glaciers, windswept valleys, and cliffside trails, ending with a breathtaking sunrise at the iconic granite towers of Torres del Paine. Exhausted, exhilarated, and in awe of every step, Patagonia left us with memories that will last a lifetime.

Our adventure began with a long journey from Amsterdam to Santiago de Chile, flying with United Airlines via Houston. The connection was smooth, and even though the trip was long, the excitement of finally reaching South America kept our energy high. We made this trip in January 2023, the perfect summer season for Patagonia.

We spent our first two days in Santiago, soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Between wandering through its lively streets and enjoying the warm summer light, we indulged in two essentials: a perfectly mixed pisco sour and a plate of fresh ceviche.

For meat lovers, we highly recommend El Fogón de Momo, where the grilled meats are smoky, tender, and unforgettable. We paired our dinner with a Carménère — Chile’s signature red wine — called S7, a bold and fruity bottle worth remembering.

For foodies, Santiago also offers something truly special: Boragó, ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. We treated ourselves to a 12-course tasting menu, and it was an experience to remember. The food was unique, creative, and delicious, with incredible presentation that turned every plate into a little piece of art. A must-visit for anyone who loves fine dining adventures.

Our Patagonia adventure began with a 3-hour flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas on LATAM Airlines (we flew back later with Sky Airline — both were excellent options). From Punta Arenas, we caught a 3-hour bus to Puerto Natales, a small but lively town that serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. We stayed overnight, soaking up the last bit of comfort before heading into the wild.

The next morning, we caught the early 7 a.m. bus to the start of the hike. Upon arrival, all trekkers must register before entering the park. This is the moment you choose your path — the shorter but still iconic W Trek (3–4 days) or the ambitious O Trek (8 days). Both routes are unforgettable, but the O Trek is a full circuit that takes you deeper into the park’s remote landscapes. We decided to go big and take on the full O Trek, ready for a challenge.

One thing to know about the O Trek: you need to book your campsites well in advance — at least six months before your trip. A limited number of people are allowed to start the hike per day. In addition, you must buy an entrance ticket to Torres del Paine National Park before entering. Don’t forget to print or download your reservations and entrance tickets — there’s no reliable cell service in the park.

There are several bus companies serving the park; we went with Bus Sur, which was reliable and comfortable. Whatever company you choose, book your bus tickets ahead of time to ensure smooth connections between Puerto Natales and the trailheads.

We pre-ordered our food boxes well ahead of time — each meal costing between $40 to $50 USD per person, which wasn’t cheap but meant we didn’t have to carry heavy supplies. The boxes usually included breakfast and a packed lunch with a sandwich, fruit, nuts, and energy bars.

Be warned — the further you hike from the starting point, the more “basic” these lunch boxes become. Our tip: pack a few extra protein or energy bars, and if you like, some tuna cans for backup.

Some people brought a tiny camping stove setup with pots, plates, and cutlery. They carried all their food themselves, so their bags were definitely bigger and heavier than ours. It was impressive but definitely a slower load to carry. You are only allowed to cook at the campsites. No open fire is permitted on the trek (one hiker once attempted to burn his toilet paper and ended up setting a large area of the reserve on fire — a stark reminder of how fragile Patagonia’s ecosystem is).

Some hikers even hired local porters to carry their bags. One of these men was like a road runner, trekking ahead in flip-flops! We tried one day to beat him to the campsite, but it was hopeless — he was just too fast.

You’ll drink a lot of water. The only refills are at the camps, often from the kitchen or even from showers/toilets. The water isn’t crystal clear — it has a slightly milky color from glacial sediments — and while we initially used purification tablets, the taste was unpleasant. We quickly switched to drinking it as it came. The upside? It was always cold and wonderfully refreshing.

We tried to keep our gear as light as possible. Our home for eight days was a super-light MSR tent, paired with two thin inflatable mattresses and two sleeping bags. Max carried a 60L backpack, while mine was 40L — a size I was thankful for when the trail got steep. At times, it felt like even 40L was too much, but the lighter load made all the difference.

If you’re packing for the O Trek, I’d recommend: one pair of trekking pants, a pair of tights, a pair of shorts, one warm fleece, two T-shirts, a warm but thin pajama (I didn’t have one and slept in my tights — but I definitely wished for a loose PJ), a sun hat, a beanie, a warm jacket, and a waterproof shell. I had trekking shoes and a pair of sandals — perfect for relaxing after a long hike and even for one sunny day on the trail.

I brought more clothes than I needed and regretted carrying the extra weight. Less really is more out here.

We also had a small emergency kit (thankfully never used) and some paracetamol — a little extra peace of mind in the middle of Patagonia.

The O Trek challenged us with long days, unpredictable weather, and tired legs — but rewarded us with staggering beauty, solitude, and a feeling of being immersed in one of the last true wildernesses. By the end, we were sore, sunburnt, and windblown — but already dreaming of when we could return.

You can follow our O Track Torres Del Paine trip on a detailed day by day post here.

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Uptrip_Kollektionen_August_2025

On Thursday afternoon, Uptrip released new collections redeemable in the app. We’re taking a closer look at these releases and summarizing the feedback from social media.

The Miles & More app, Uptrip, has released the following new collections:

  • Kapstadt Kick
  • Layover Genuss
  • Jet Set Comfort #3

Lottery ticket for 5 × 2 community flight tickets from Munich to Cape Town on November 23, 2025, returning December 8, 2025, in Economy Class. Since this is already the second Community Flight, it indicates the success of the initiative and high demand.

Participation in the lottery requires only 4 cards, 2 of which must be original cards. Due to this low barrier to entry, a large number of participants is expected, which means the chances of winning are relatively low.

Estimated odds: between 1:10,000 and 1:20,000 – potentially slightly better, as not everyone can fly at the exact scheduled times.

Collection Rating by scan2fly

Attractiveness
★★★★★
★★★★★
Availability
★★★★★
★★★★★
Exclusivity
★★★★★
★★★★★

A business lounge voucher redeemable with 7 cards, 4 of which must be originals. Also relatively easy to obtain and widely available. This collection has appeared before and was especially popular with users without frequent flyer status. Users with status like FTL or Senator already have access.

Collection Rating by scan2fly

Attractiveness
★★★★★
★★★★★
Availability
★★★★★
★★★★★
Exclusivity
★★★★★
★★★★★

For the third time in a short period, an amenity kit from the Lufthansa Life Collection is being offered. The 30-piece limited offer was claimed within about an hour – similar to previous editions. This is despite the requirement of 17 cards, including very specific ones (like Lufthansa City Airlines and LH A350-900) and 13 originals.

Collection Rating by scan2fly

Attractiveness
★★★★★
★★★★★
Availability
★★★★★
★★★★★
Exclusivity
★★★★★
★★★★★

Within the first hour after the email announcement, the app servers experienced heavy load – a clear sign of high interest. The amenity kit quickly became a bestseller again. The Cape Town lottery is also likely to be well-received, as the entry barrier is low.

On social media, there were also critical voices: frequent flyers and very active users find some new collections irregular and not very attractive. Additional amenity kits or lounge vouchers for users who already have them draw little attention.

Uptrip’s social media team assured that they take the criticism seriously. Whether and what consequences this will have for future releases remains unclear.

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