✈️ Beginner’s guide to using miles & points for flights from Europe to Asia (2025)

Flying from Europe to Asia doesn’t need to be expensive.
With the right miles & points strategy, you can reduce the price of long-haul flights by 20–70%, upgrade to business class, or book premium economy for less than economy.

This simple beginner-friendly guide explains exactly how miles work, which programs are best, and how to redeem them for Asia flights.

💡 1. How miles & points actually work (in simple terms)

There are 3 main ways to earn miles:

1. Flying (not the best way anymore)
2. Credit cards / shopping partners
3. Buying miles during promotions

Most Europeans get 80–90% of their miles from credit cards and special promotions, not from flying.

Miles can then be used for:

• Discounted economy flights
• Premium economy
• Business class
• Airport lounges
• Seat upgrades

🛫 2. Best loyalty programs for Europeans flying to Asia

⭐ Miles & More (Lufthansa Group)

Best for: Switzerland, Germany, Austria
Why: Strong network + many partners
Use miles for: Singapore, Bangkok, Vietnam, Japan

⭐ Qatar Privilege Club (Avios)

Best for: Bangkok, Bali, KL
Why: Excellent value + cheap award seats
Tip: You can transfer Avios between BA → Qatar → Iberia

⭐ Emirates Skywards

Best for: Dubai stopovers + Singapore/Bali
Why: Frequent promotions on miles purchases

⭐ Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Best for: Budget-friendly redemptions
Why: Often lowest miles cost for Asia

💰 3. How many miles you need (Europe → Asia)

Turkish & Qatar often give the best business deals.

💳 4. Easiest ways to earn miles in Switzerland & EU

1️⃣ Sign up for airline credit cards

For example:

• Lufthansa Miles & More credit cards
• British Airways Avios cards
• Revolut → partners through cashback
• Curve → converts spending to points

2️⃣ Use shopping partners

Miles & More often gives:

• 500–3000 miles for simple purchases
• Seasonal promotions

3️⃣ Buy miles during promos

Qatar, Emirates, Turkish and Alaska sell miles with:

• 25–60% bonus
  This can make business class cheaper than economy.

4️⃣ Transfer points from hotel programs

Booking.com Genius, Hilton, Marriott → convert to airline miles.

🌍 5. Best redemptions (Europe → Asia) in 2025

⭐ Business Class sweet spots:

• Zurich → Bangkok (via Doha) = 70,000 Avios
• Vienna → Singapore (via Istanbul) = 67,500 miles
• Milan → Kuala Lumpur (via Doha) often cheapest
• Munich → Bali (via Dubai) with Skywards promotions

⭐ Economy sweet spots:

• Zurich → KL (Turkish) = 27,500 miles
• Vienna → Bangkok (Qatar) = 30,000 Avios
• Milan → Singapore (Qatar) = sometimes 22,000 Avios

📅 6. When to redeem miles (very important!)

For Asia, best availability is:

✔ February–June
✔ September–November

Hardest months:

❌ Christmas
❌ July–August

Booking 3–6 months ahead is ideal.

🧭 7. Should you earn or buy miles?

✔ Buying miles makes sense when:

• There is a 40–60% promo
• You plan a business class trip
• You fly to expensive destinations (Bali, Japan)

✔ Earning miles makes sense when:

• You fly several times per year
• You use credit cards
• You travel inside Europe + Asia regularly

❌ Never buy miles without a plan → not worth it.

🛫 8. Simple miles strategy for beginners (2025)

1. Pick one main program (Qatar or Miles&More)
2. Earn basic miles via shopping + card
3. Track promotions (Qatar, Emirates, Turkish)
4. Buy miles only during good sales
5. Redeem for long-haul business/economy
6. Keep one backup program (Avios)