Turkish Miles&Smiles
Estimated value: 1.8¢ per miles
Turkish Miles&Smiles has one of the most generous award charts of any airline program, making it a favorite for savvy travelers. As a Star Alliance member, Turkish provides access to all Star Alliance carriers at fixed, low prices. Key strengths: - One of the cheapest domestic US award charts (7,500 miles one-way on United/Star Alliance) - Fixed award chart with no dynamic pricing - Star Alliance membership for broad partner access - Transfer partner from Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt - Turkish Airlines business class is excellent with free Istanbul lounge access - Miles don't expire with account activity every 3 years
Credit card programs that can transfer points to Turkish Miles&Smiles
Co-Branded Credit Cards
1.8¢
per miles (baseline)
Inbound transfers: - Citi ThankYou: 1:1 - Capital One: 1:1 - Bilt Rewards: 1:1 Strategy tips: - Three 1:1 transfer partners make this very accessible - Transfer only when you have confirmed availability - Turkish can be slow to process transfers (allow 24-48 hours) - The fixed award chart is the main draw — prices don't fluctuate with demand - Search Star Alliance availability on united.com, then book through Turkish
Best redemption values: Domestic US sweet spots (via United/Star Alliance): - 7,500 miles one-way economy (one of the cheapest domestic charts) - 12,500 miles one-way business class domestic - Book United flights through Turkish for these rates - Search united.com for saver availability, then call Turkish to book International sweet spots: - Business class US to Europe: 45,000 miles one-way - Business class US to Asia: 60,000-70,000 miles one-way - Economy US to Europe: 20,000 miles one-way - Within Europe: 7,500 miles one-way economy Turkish Airlines metal: - Business class to Istanbul: 45,000 miles one-way - Excellent catering and free Istanbul lounge access - Connect through Istanbul to hundreds of destinations Important notes: - Book Star Alliance partner awards by calling Turkish Airlines (not all available online) - Fuel surcharges on some routes (especially Turkish metal) - Round-trip bookings required for some award types Avoid: - Fuel surcharges on Lufthansa and other high-surcharge partners - One-way awards when round-trip is required - Booking online when phone agents can find more availability
Earning strategy: Credit cards: - No dedicated US co-brand card - Earn through Citi TYP, Capital One, or Bilt and transfer 1:1 Flights: - Turkish Airlines flights earn based on distance and fare class - Star Alliance partner flights credit to Miles&Smiles - Elite status (Classic Plus, Elite, Elite Plus) through status miles Key tips: - The program is primarily valuable as a transfer destination, not for direct earning - Credit Star Alliance flights to Turkish when earn rates are favorable - Turkish runs occasional bonus mile promotions on flights - Istanbul CIP lounge is available to business class passengers and elite members