The Frequent Traveller (FTL) status of Miles & More is the entry point into Lufthansa Group’s status world. Normally, this requires 650 status points and 325 qualifying points – which in practice means about 33 flights.
But there is currently a much simpler shortcut: the FTL Status Collection from Uptrip.
What is the FTL Status Collection at Uptrip?
- Valid until the end of 2027
- Intended only for customers without existing status
- Non-transferable
- Limited availability of 10,000 redemptions
Interestingly, reports in frequent flyer forums suggest that Miles & More has been very generous so far and even extended status for existing FTL members through the collection – in some cases until the end of 2028.
However, you should not rely on this. In case of doubt, it is better to contact Uptrip customer service directly, which is considered far more accessible and flexible than Miles & More itself.
How the FTL Collection Works
To redeem the status, you need 50 cards:
- 40 Original Cards (earned from actual flight segments)
- 10 Non-Original Cards (from promotions, exchanges, or purchases)
Card distribution at a glance
- 2 cards per flight segment (1 flight = 2 cards)
- Therefore at least 20 flights for the 40 Original Cards
- Plus 10 Non-Original Cards, which can be collected more flexibly
Earning Extra Cards Without Flying
Getting started is easier than it sounds, since Uptrip already gives cards at the beginning:
- 3 Welcome Cards (Miles & More Member, Travel ID, Uptrip)
- +2 cards through referrals (for example, with this referral code: MA-2E4A6651-12DA when signing up in the app)
With a bit of luck, the referral cards can be exchanged (e.g., Brussels or Paris), effectively giving you 2-for-1 and bringing you even closer to the target. Forum communities also often help with trades if you ask politely. Alternatively, Non-Original Cards can be purchased cheaply as NFTs (for less than €1).
Example Calculation: The Road to FTL with Uptrip
- 20 flights = 40 Original Cards
- +10 Non-Original Cards (from welcome cards, trades, NFTs)
- = 50 cards = FTL status valid until 2027
That means: instead of 33 flights under Miles & More, only 20 flights are required – less than one flight per month. With connections, it becomes even easier.
Pitfalls and Special Cases
- Train segments don’t count
Unlike Miles & More, Lufthansa Express Rail segments do not generate cards. - Uptrip promotions
Around Christmas 2024, Original Cards were briefly available without flights. These were quickly reclassified as Non-Original. - Joker Card
For €10, you can buy a Joker Card, which counts as an Original. This allows you to save at least one flight segment. In the past there were some opportunities to gain the Joker card for free. - SAF bonus cards
Cards from the “Make Change Fly” Sustainable Aviation Fuel program are technically Original but not valid for the FTL Collection. Even though terms suggest all cards are redeemable, these SAF cards are excluded. If they counted, one could theoretically reach FTL with just 13 bookings (13*2 cards + 13 SAF cards + Joker = 40 Originals).
Historical Comparison: Easier Again?
Until the end of 2023, FTL was also achievable with 30 flight segments. With the shift to the new points system in 2024, this option disappeared.
The Uptrip Collection is therefore a rare sweet spot: only 20 flights are needed to secure status – valid until the end of 2027 (or in some cases, 2028).
Conclusion: Uptrip Makes FTL Easier Than Ever
The Uptrip FTL Collection is currently the easiest way to achieve Lufthansa Frequent Traveller status, and possibly the cheapest, since award flights also qualify. Instead of 650 points or 33 flights, 20 flights plus some smart collecting or trading of cards is enough.
For newcomers without existing status, this is a real opportunity.
