✈️ Collect miles with European programs – the best strategies for digital nomads
✈️ Collect miles with European programs: How digital nomads travel (almost) for free
Collecting miles without a permanent residence – is that possible?
Many digital nomads believe that frequent flyer programs only work for business travelers or frequent flyers with permanent residence. But the opposite is true: Especially if you work remotely and fly regularly, a well-thought-out miles setup is extremely worthwhile – even with European bonus programs.
In this guide you will learn:
- Which European mileage programs are really attractive for nomads
- How to collect miles in everyday life – even without flying
- Which credit cards, partner shops and strategies you can use
- How to make the most of your miles – for example, for business class flights to Asia or South America
🧭 The best European frequent flyer programs for nomads
1. Miles & More (Lufthansa Group)
- Largest European program with many partner airlines (Star Alliance)
- Miles expire after 36 months (unlimited with credit card)
- Redemptions with Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Singapore Airlines, ANA, among others
🔑 Special features for nomads:
– Good accessibility in Europe
– Award flights with additional payment, but low taxes with partners (e.g. LOT, Turkish Airlines)
2. Flying Blue (Air France / KLM)
- Dynamic pricing, often good deals in business class
- Miles expiration easily avoidable through activity
- Partnership with SkyTeam (e.g. Delta, Vietnam Airlines, China Airlines)
🔑 Special features:
– Ideal for flights to Asia or South America
– Promo Rewards every month with up to 50% discount on mileage prices
3. British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
- Miles are called “Avios” here – flexible use for short and long haul flights
- Good availability on OneWorld routes (e.g. Qatar Airways, Iberia)
- Also exciting for feeder flights (e.g. within Germany or within Europe)
🔑 Tip:
Avios can be freely transferred between Iberia, BA and Qatar – an ideal playground for optimizers .
💳 Collect miles without flying: Here's how
1. Credit cards with miles program connection
There are fewer credit cards with real miles benefits in Europe than in the US – but some are worthwhile:
| credit card | program | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Miles & More Gold (DKB) | Miles & More | Mile expiration stopped, 1 mile/€ |
| Amex Gold / Platinum (EU version) | Membership Rewards | Transfer to BA, Flying Blue, Emirates etc. |
| British Airways Visa (UK, via Barclays) | Avios | UK only, but powerful with residence |
💡 Nomad tip: With the German Amex (also possible as an Austrian or if you live in Portugal, for example) you can collect flexible points that can be transferred to many mileage programs.
2. Online Shopping & Affiliate Programs
- Miles & More: via Miles & More eShopping at MediaMarkt, AboutYou, etc.
- Flying Blue: via their shopping portal at Apple, Nike, Booking.com
- Payback (D): Collect points and transfer them 1:1 to Miles & More
3. Cleverly link travel bookings
- Booking a flight directly with the airline? Not always ideal.
- Better: go through partner portals like Booking.com via the miles portal
- Airbnb, Sixt, Uber also partially partnerable via card programs
🎯 Examples: How to efficiently collect miles as a digital nomad
💼 Example 1: Freelancer with base in Portugal
- Income in EUR, expenses via Amex Gold
- Points through coworking, restaurants, ads
- MR points to Flying Blue – for business flights to Rio de Janeiro
🌍 Example 2: Nomad with remote job, travels through Eastern Europe
- Miles & More Card + Payback Setup
- Miles through flights with LOT, Lufthansa
- Collect Avios for cheap flights with Iberia in Spain
✈️ Use miles cleverly: These are the sweet spots
- Flying Blue: Europe–Japan in Business for approximately 55,000 miles (promo)
- Miles & More: Business to North America for 56,000 miles + approx. €500 fees
- Avios: Domestic flights in Asia (e.g. Japan, Malaysia) for under 10,000 Avios + small surcharge
🔐 Taxes & Law: What you need to know
- Miles are generally not considered income for tax purposes in the EU if they are used privately
- No deduction problems for business expenses when miles are used privately
- When using cashout options (e.g. vouchers), please note the possible tax implications in your country of residence
🧾 Always consult your tax advisor – especially with hybrid (private/business) cards.
📍 Conclusion: European mileage programs are (still) underestimated
As a digital nomad in Europe, you don't have to miss out on the benefits of miles. Quite the opposite: With the right combination of credit card, everyday spending, and bonus promotions, you can earn several free flights annually – often in business class .