New Era for Austrian Miles & More Credit Cards as Erste Bank und Sparkasse Takes Over with Expanded Travel and Banking Benefits
(IN SHORT) Austrian Airlines and Miles & More have chosen Erste Bank und Sparkasse to manage their Austrian credit card portfolio starting in 2026, with Mastercard continuing as payment provider. The new credit cards will be linked to the George digital banking platform and will introduce expanded benefits such as cashback on foreign currency payments, lounge access, and enhanced travel privileges. The partnership aims to provide modern, seamless financial and travel experiences for both private and business customers. Current cardholders will retain all benefits through the end of 2025, with detailed information about the new products to follow.
(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, Austria, 2025-Jul-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Austrian Airlines and Miles & More have announced a strategic shift in their Austrian credit card programme, awarding Erste Bank und Sparkasse the contract to issue their future credit card portfolio starting in 2026. One of Austria’s largest and most trusted financial institutions, Erste Bank und Sparkasse will collaborate with Mastercard, which will continue its role as payment service provider. The new credit cards will be integrated into George, Erste Bank’s award-winning digital banking platform.
This partnership will deliver a significantly enhanced range of services for Miles & More credit card holders in Austria. The new cards will not only maintain the popular mileage collection feature but also introduce a suite of new benefits tailored to both private individuals and business customers. Among these are business card options, cashback on foreign currency transactions, and improved travel benefits, such as Business Class check-in, fast-track security access at Vienna Airport, and Priority Pass access to over 1,700 lounges globally.
Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann commented, “With Erste Bank und Sparkasse, we’ve gained a strong and reliable partner for our Austrian Miles & More credit cards. Together with Mastercard, we are expanding our services to offer more targeted benefits and appeal to a broader customer base.”
Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller, CEO of Erste Bank, added, “This collaboration with Austria’s leading airline and the largest loyalty programme marks a major milestone in enhancing our service quality and delivering added value to our banking customers. This three-way partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of seamless banking and travel.”
Gerald Schlögl, Managing Director of Miles & More GmbH, emphasized the customer-centric focus: “From the beginning, our cooperation with Erste Bank und Sparkasse and Mastercard has been built on trust and innovation. We are confident that our new card portfolio will meet the evolving expectations of today’s digital-savvy consumers and attract new user groups.”
Michael Brönner, Country Manager of Mastercard Austria, reinforced the company’s continued commitment: “We are pleased to remain a key partner in this collaboration and excited to contribute to launching a secure, digital, and globally accepted credit card product that reflects the future of travel and payments.”
The new credit cards, to be launched in early 2026, will support modern payment technologies such as Apple Pay and Google Pay and will offer flexible features like mileage-to-points exchange for securing or achieving frequent flyer status. Until the end of 2025, customers can continue using their existing Austrian Miles & More credit cards with all current benefits intact. Cardholders will receive comprehensive updates ahead of the transition.
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s leading airline with a worldwide route network of more than 120 destinations. With its hub at Vienna Airport, Austrian Airlines connects Austria with Europe and the whole world. As Austria’s flag carrier, Austrian Airlines embodies highest service quality and acts responsibly to society and the environment. Austrian Airlines aims to achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050 through reduction and compensation measures. Already by 2030, Austrian wants to halve its net CO2 emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. Austrian Airlines’ environmental management has been validated according to the EMAS standard since 2023.
Austrian Airlines is part of Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group, and a member of the Star Alliance, the first global group of international airlines.
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About Miles & More GmbH
With over 30 years of experience in the loyalty sector and over 25 years in retail and finance, Miles & More GmbH is an absolute expert in individual and successful customer engagement and retention. Gerald Schlögl is the managing director of the wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, based in Frankfurt am Main.
As the Lufthansa Group’s loyalty programme, Miles & More offers more than 36 million participants access to an exclusive world with over 175 international partners throughout the entire travel chain and in everyday life. At the heart of this diverse range of programmes and offers with attractive benefits and exclusive travel privileges is the collection and redemption of miles for awards and the collection of points to obtain frequent flyer status. In addition, the programme offers numerous financial services, most notably the successful Miles & More credit card portfolio in cooperation with various banks in over 20 countries. As the operator of Worldshop, Miles & More GmbH is also responsible for the online shop worldshop.eu, which offers over 400 premium brands and more than 6,500 items, and is represented by a total of ten Worldshop stores at Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin and Vienna airports.
Further information:
• Miles & More GmbH: Miles & More GmbH » Shaping Loyalty for generations to come
• Miles & More: Earn miles and Points, then enjoy awards and benefits | Miles & More
• Worldshop: Discover high-quality lifestyle products – Worldshop
About Erste Bank and Sparkasse
Erste Bank Oesterreich is the leading institution of the Austrian Sparkasse Group. Together with the 46 regional Sparkasse banks, it is one of the largest banking groups in the country. For over 200 years, Erste Bank and Sparkasse have been committed to providing financial health to their 4.2 million private customers and small and medium-sized enterprises with a comprehensive range of products and personalized services. The savings bank group is a service provider for all financial products: from savings accounts to home and consumer loans, investments, accounts, bank cards, insurance, leasing and pension fund solutions.
About Mastercard
Mastercard promotes economic growth and empowers people in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. Together with our customers, we create a sustainable economy in which everyone can succeed. We support a wide range of digital payment options and make transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technologies and innovations, partnerships and networks combine to create a unique range of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realise their potential.
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES Press Office
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SOURCE: Austrian Airlines
