SWISS Miles & More Classic
SWISS
Overall Rating
Annual fee
CHF 120
1st year: CHF 60
Network
American Express
Rewards Type
Miles
Welcome bonus
17,000 miles
Also good for
Our Take on SWISS Miles & More Classic
17,000 welcome miles and dual cards (Amex + Mastercard) for CHF 120. Entry-level Miles & More earning.
The SWISS Miles & More Classic card is the affordable entry into the Miles & More program. At CHF 120 annually, you get 17,000 welcome miles, a dual-card set (Amex + Mastercard), and the ability to earn miles on everyday spending. For occasional SWISS or Lufthansa flyers, it starts building toward meaningful redemptions.
Is CHF 120 Worth It?
For miles enthusiasts, often yes. 17,000 welcome miles would cost roughly CHF 200-300 if purchased. 0.75 miles per CHF 1 on Amex (0.6 on Mastercard) means CHF 20,000 annual spending = 15,000 miles. Combined with the welcome bonus, year one delivers 32,000 miles.
A European short-haul award flight costs 15,000-20,000 miles. Year-one earnings could cover a round trip. The economics improve if you're already loyal to SWISS/Lufthansa.
What Actually Stands Out
The dual-card setup (Amex + Mastercard) is practical. Use Amex (0.75 miles/CHF) where accepted, Mastercard (0.6 miles/CHF) elsewhere. One annual fee, complete network coverage, optimized earning.
Miles & More points transfer to Lufthansa Group airlines, partner hotels, and other Star Alliance carriers. Apple Pay and Google Pay work on both cards.
What Most Reviews Miss
Insurance is minimal. CHF 150 flight delay coverage. No medical coverage abroad. This is an earning card, not a protection card. If you travel, you need separate insurance.
The 2.5% FX fee is high. International purchases cost you money. The miles earned don't offset FX costs on foreign spending. Use a different card for international transactions.
The Bottom Line
Affordable miles earning for occasional SWISS/Lufthansa flyers. The welcome bonus provides immediate value, and everyday spending builds toward flights. Upgrade to Gold for better rates if you spend heavily. Compare alternatives in our best travel credit cards in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Good starting point for Miles & More. The dual cards provide network flexibility at entry-level pricing.
PROS
- 17000 welcome bonus points
- Travel insurance coverage up to CHF 150
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- Two card set for the price of one
- Coverage of up to 150 Swiss francs for travel-related additional costs due to eligible disruptions
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
CONS
- High annual fee (CHF 120)
- High foreign exchange fee (2.5%)
- No medical coverage
- No airport lounge access
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
CHF 120
1st Year
CHF 60
Rewards rate
0.75 miles/CHF
FX Fee
2.5%
Welcome bonus
17,000 miles
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 150
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 60
Annual fee (after first year)
CHF 120
Foreign exchange fee
2.5%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
4% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
6.5% (min CHF 10)
Late Payment Fee
CHF 30
Additional Cards
CHF 60/card/year
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
Miles
Base rewards rate
0.75 / CHF
Welcome bonus
17,000 miles
Earn 1.5 miles for every 2 Swiss francs spent. Welcome bonus of 17000 miles.
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 150
Medical insurance coverage
No medical coverage
Purchase protection
No purchase protection
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
American Express
Card Type
Standard
Currency
CHF
Dual Network
amex + mastercard
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
CHF 15'000
Airport lounge access
Concierge service
Key Features
- Two card set for the price of one
- Coverage of up to 150 Swiss francs for travel-related additional costs due to eligible disruptions
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
- Comprehensive insurance coverage across 11 types, enhancing travel safety and peace of mind
- 24-hour customer service and mobile access for account management
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30'000/year
You Pay
CHF 120
per year
You Get Back
CHF 593
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 473
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30'000/yr × 0.75 miles/CHF × 1.5 ct
17'000 miles × 1.5 ct
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct.
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does the Miles & More Classic come with two cards?
- You get both an Amex and a Mastercard from one application. Use the Amex where accepted (higher mile rate) and the Mastercard everywhere else. They share one statement and one annual fee, so it's effectively a dual-network setup.
- How fast do I earn miles on the Amex side of the Classic set?
- 1.5 miles per 2 francs charged on the Amex (=0.75 miles per franc). The Mastercard partner earns less. So a CHF 4,000 monthly spend, all on the Amex, banks 3,000 miles a month plus the welcome bonus.
- Are the 17,000 welcome miles per card or per set?
- Per set, not per card. You get one batch of 17,000 miles after hitting the qualifying spend, regardless of which of the two cards you use. Plan your first big purchases on the Amex to also maximize ongoing earn.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why SWISS Miles & More Classic got its score? We rate Travel (miles) cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the SWISS Miles & More Classic today and start enjoying its benefits.