Classic
Free auto-enrollment.
- Earn + redeem miles
- 3-year mile validity from earn date
- Unlimited messaging Wi-Fi onboard
- Member-only offers
Airline
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is the loyalty program of Turkish Airlines (TK), a Star Alliance member since 2008 with its hub at Istanbul Airport (IST). Turkish operates one of the broadest country-coverage networks in commercial aviation, serving 130+ countries - over 340 destinations, 11+ US gateways, and a uniquely deep network through Istanbul into Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia.
For US based readers, Miles&Smiles still offers a strong premium cabin play: US to Istanbul in Business at 65,000 miles one way at the Promo (Saver) level (regular Business runs 135,000 one way) on Turkish operated metal. It is one of the better transatlantic Business redemptions out there, though it is no longer the giveaway it once was. Note the surcharges too: Turkish adds a cash surcharge on its own metal, so check the all in cost before you transfer.
Miles&Smiles transfers 1:1 from Citi ThankYou (premium cards), Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards - among the most useful Star Alliance currencies for Citi cardholders specifically. Amex and Chase do NOT transfer.
The program had two devaluations in two years - February 2024 and December 2025. The December 2025 round raised partner domestic awards ~50% and split Hawaii into its own (much higher) zone, eliminating the previously-popular US-mainland-Hawaii sweet spot. Confirm pricing on turkishairlines.com before transferring points; do not stockpile speculatively.
Award chart
The actual numbers. Get your nerd on, memorize the cheap ones.
The cheat sheet.
See the rates →
Award chart
The actual numbers. Get your nerd on, memorize the cheap ones.
The cheat sheet.
Miles&Smiles redemption structure
Turkish uses two parallel charts:
| Chart | Routes | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|
| TK-Operated Award Chart | Turkish Airlines + Anadolujet metal | Cumulative segment-based; Promo (Saver) / Standard / Last-Seat tiers |
| Star Alliance Partner Award Chart | Star Alliance + bilateral partners | Distance / region-based fixed rates |
Carrier imposed surcharges (fuel surcharges): check the cash surcharge on any Turkish operated award before you transfer. Star Alliance partner awards pass through partner surcharges, high on Lufthansa Group, generally low on Avianca / Aegean / Singapore / United.
Free Istanbul stopover on round-trip awards.
Promo (Saver) awards are the lowest-priced tier with limited inventory. Standard awards are priced higher with wider availability. Last-Seat awards are highest-priced with most availability.
TK-Operated Award Chart - key US routes (one-way Promo)
| Route | Economy | Business | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US to Istanbul (IST) | 40,000 | 65,000 | Regular award is 55,000 economy / 135,000 business |
| US -> Europe (via IST) | Priced by segment | Priced by segment | Price your exact routing on turkishairlines.com |
| US -> Middle East (via IST) | Priced by segment | Priced by segment | Dubai, Tel Aviv, Amman. Price your exact routing |
| US -> South Asia (via IST) | Priced by segment | Priced by segment | Delhi, Mumbai, Colombo. Price your exact routing |
| US -> Africa (via IST) | Priced by segment | Priced by segment | Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lagos. Price your exact routing |
| Intra-Turkey domestic | 4,500 | 10,000 | Cheap hops. Regular award is 8,500 economy / 15,000 business |
| IST -> Europe short-haul | 12,500-15,000 | 25,000-30,000 | London, Paris, Rome |
| IST -> Middle East | 15,000 | 28,000 | Dubai, Doha at strong rates |
December 2025 Devaluation Impact
- Partner domestic awards (United US-domestic, etc.) raised ~50%
- New Hawaii zone created: Economy up to 25,000, Business up to 40,000 one-way (eliminating the prior 10K mainland-Hawaii sweet spot)
Earning rates on TK international flights (% of distance)
- Economy Y/B/M/K/A/H (Full / Flex): 125%
- Economy S/T/L/E/Q (Discounted): 50%
- Economy W/O/V (Promo / Deep Discount): 25%
- Business C/D (Full): 150% (Classic) / up to 175% (Elite Plus)
- Business J/Z (Discounted): 135% (Classic) / up to 160% (Elite Plus)
Minimum miles per segment: 1,250 (Economy) / 1,500 (Business).
US co-brand card
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature:
- 3x miles on TK purchases
- 2x miles on grocery, dining, entertainment, lodging
- 1x on all other purchases
- TK lounge access when flying Turkish (primary cardholder)
What does NOT transfer to Miles&Smiles
- American Express Membership Rewards - no direct transfer
- Chase Ultimate Rewards - no direct transfer
- US Bank Altitude Reserve - announced 2025, never launched any partners
- Bank of America Premium Rewards - has never been a transferable-points program
Official chart: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/miles-and-smiles/redeem-miles
Sweet spots
Where your points punch above their weight.
Where this currency genuinely shines.
Show me the picks →
Sweet spots
Where your points punch above their weight.
Where this currency genuinely shines.
- North America to Turkiye in business from 65,000 miles on a Promotion Award, one way plus taxes and fees, against 135,000 on a regular award. Promotion seats are limited, so pounce when you see one.
- Free Istanbul stopover on round-trip awards lets you visit Turkey for a few days while connecting onward. Combine US-IST-Dubai or US-IST-Delhi to maximize value.
- Capital One and Citi both transfer 1:1, Citi from Strata Premier, Strata Elite, Prestige and AT&T Access More. Other ThankYou cards get 1:0.7, so check which card holds your points before you move them.
- Star Alliance Gold via Elite tier (40,000 Status Miles in 12 months) is attainable via 3-4 round-trip Business class trips on TK + partners. Gold unlocks 1,000+ Star Alliance lounges including United Clubs.
- TK premium product is highly rated - lie-flat 787-9 / A350-900 Business with Do&Co catering. Often cited among the world's best Business class.
- Domestic Turkey from 4,500 miles one way in economy on a Promotion Award, or 10,000 in business, against 8,500 economy and 15,000 business on a regular award. Promotion seats are limited. Cheap regional positioning once you are in Istanbul.
Transfer in
Programs that transfer points in.
9 programs that transfer in.
See inbound paths →
Transfer in
Programs that transfer points in.
9 programs that transfer in.
Programs that transfer points or miles into Turkish Miles&Smiles.
| From | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
premium1:1 standard1:0.7 | Turkish Miles and Smiles. | |
| 1:1 | No transfer fee. | |
| 1:1 | No transfer fee. Miles&Smiles; very low Star Alliance pricing. | |
| 5:1 | Choice Rewards Exchange (powered by Points.com). Turkish Miles&Smiles. Starts at 5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Miles&Smiles miles. Airline-miles exchanges are generally weak value. | |
| 10:1 | Turkish Miles&Smiles. | |
| 5:1 | Convert IHG points to Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles by calling IHG One Rewards. Airline transfers are phone only, never online. Standard rate is 5,000 IHG points for 1,000 miles and can take up to six weeks to arrive. Airline conversions are usually weak value, so keep IHG points for hotel nights unless topping off a specific balance. | |
| 3:1 | Base 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred (effectively ~2.4:1 in 60K increments). | |
| 1:1 | Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, 1:1. | |
| 5:1 | Standard Wyndham airline transfer at 5:1. Minimum 6,000 Wyndham points converts to 1,200 partner miles. |
Tier benefits
The status ladder. 4 rungs, each unlocking better lounges, bags, and bragging rights.
4 status levels.
Climb the ladder →
Tier benefits
The status ladder. 4 rungs, each unlocking better lounges, bags, and bragging rights.
4 status levels.
Classic Plus
25,000 Status Miles in a rolling 12-month window
- Star Alliance Silver
- Lounge access on TK domestic flights
- Business class counter check-in (domestic)
- 250 MB + messaging Wi-Fi
- +10 kg extra checked baggage (weight-concept routes)
- Up to 1.5x bonus miles on international Business
Elite
40,000 Status Miles in a rolling 12-month window
- Star Alliance Gold
- Lounge access on TK domestic + international + 1,000+ Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide for member + family/1 guest
- Priority boarding and baggage
- IST passport fast-track
- 400 MB + messaging Wi-Fi (Economy), unlimited (Business)
- +20 kg or 1 extra piece extra checked baggage
- Meal preference
- Up to 1.75x bonus miles on international Business
Elite Plus
80,000 Status Miles in a rolling 12-month window
- All Elite benefits
- Dedicated IST entrance
- Free sport-equipment carriage (domestic)
- Complimentary standard + front-row seat selection
- 2 cabin-upgrade vouchers per qualifying year
- Upgrade waitlist feature (added Feb 2026)
- +25 kg or 1 extra piece extra checked baggage
- Guaranteed seat
- 50% discount on second ticket with paid Business class fare
- Celebration cake on board
Lounge access
Where to vanish before takeoff. Your status (or ticket) opens which doors.
Who gets in, who doesn't, and the carve-outs.
See the rules →
Lounge access
Where to vanish before takeoff. Your status (or ticket) opens which doors.
Who gets in, who doesn't, and the carve-outs.
Turkish Airlines operates the Turkish Airlines Lounge (Business class) network at IST and select international gateways. The IST lounge is widely regarded among the world's best - a sprawling multi-level facility with golf simulators, a model train, gourmet dining, dedicated sleeping pods, and a children's play area.
Access rules:
- Same-day TK / Star Alliance flight + Star Alliance Gold (Elite or Elite Plus) - TK lounge access at IST + Star Alliance Gold lounges worldwide for member + 1 guest, any cabin.
- Same-day TK Business class boarding pass - TK lounge access in any context.
- Same-day TK / Star Alliance flight + Star Alliance Silver (Classic Plus) - TK domestic lounge access only (not international).
- Premium Economy / Economy on TK alone - no lounge access without status.
The Turkish Premier Visa Signature US co-brand card grants TK lounge access when flying TK as primary cardholder.
How to spend
The high-leverage moves. Read this before you transfer a single mile.
The smart-money plays.
Get the playbook →
How to spend
The high-leverage moves. Read this before you transfer a single mile.
The smart-money plays.
- US to Istanbul in Business on TK metal at 65,000 miles one way at the Promo (Saver) level (135,000 at the regular level). Check the cash surcharge before you transfer.
- US to Europe via Istanbul (two segments) adds a modest premium over the Istanbul Business price on TK-operated awards, so price your exact routing.
- US to the Middle East or India via Istanbul costs more than the Istanbul Business award, so price your exact routing. Useful for Dubai, Tel Aviv, Amman, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- US to Africa via Istanbul carries a larger premium over the Istanbul Business award, so price your exact routing. Destinations include Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lagos.
- Upgrade a paid or award economy ticket with miles on a Turkish operated flight, at least 24 hours before departure. From North America it is 65,000 miles one way from an economy fare other than EcoFly, or 90,000 from EcoFly, and only certain fare classes qualify.
- Intra-Turkey domestic on Turkish Airlines at 4,500 miles one way in economy and 10,000 in business on a Promotion Award, or 8,500 economy and 15,000 business on a regular award. Cheap hops once in Istanbul.
- Star Alliance partner awards at fixed-chart pricing - 1,000+ lounges on partner alliance carriers. Note partner-specific surcharge variations (Lufthansa Group passes through high YQ; Avianca / Aegean / Singapore typically lower).
Tips & quirks
Stopover rules, surcharges, the stuff nobody tells you until you've been burned once.
The fine print, decoded.
Spill the gotchas →
Tips & quirks
Stopover rules, surcharges, the stuff nobody tells you until you've been burned once.
The fine print, decoded.
- Mile expiry: 3 years from the date earned, with no extension via activity. Miles can be extended for a fee.
- Star Alliance Gold via Elite tier (40,000 Status Miles in 12 months) is one of the more attainable paths to alliance-wide Gold benefits. Frequent US-IST travelers can hit it in 3-4 Business class round-trips.
- Status validity: 2 years once earned. Maintain via protection thresholds (lower than initial qualification) to avoid losing status.
- Free Istanbul stopover on round-trip awards.
- Check the cash surcharge on Turkish operated awards before you transfer, so the all in cost holds no surprises. Star Alliance partner awards booked through TK pass through partner surcharges: high on Lufthansa Group, lower on Avianca, Aegean, and Singapore.
- Cumulative segment-based pricing on TK-operated awards (e.g., US-IST-onward priced as US + intra-Europe segments combined).
- December 2025 devaluation raised partner domestic awards ~50% and created a new higher Hawaii zone (Economy up to 25K, Business up to 40K one-way) - eliminating the previously popular US-mainland-Hawaii sweet spot via Turkish.
- Upgrade with miles now costs more from EcoFly. The economy to business upgrade price split in two: EcoFly fares pay more, other economy fares keep the old price. The biggest jump is up to 38% (Far East, 65,000 to 90,000 miles one way). North America is 90,000 from EcoFly and a flat 65,000 from other economy fares, so upgrading those fares close to departure got cheaper (it used to cost 90,000 inside 72 hours). Upgrades work on paid and award tickets on Turkish operated flights only (not codeshares), must be requested at least 24 hours before departure, and only certain fare classes qualify.
- August 2024: SAS partnership terminated. No earn/redeem on SAS via TK.
- April 1, 2026: ITA Airways joined Star Alliance + Miles&Smiles earn/redeem partner. New Italian domestic + European routings.
- Most partner award bookings (except Star Alliance majors) require phone booking - the online tool doesn't always show all partner segment availability.
- Star Alliance flights credited to Miles&Smiles earn miles + Status Miles, but only TK-operated flights count toward the SAS-replaced ITA partner option for partner-bonus earning.
- Turkish keeps repricing: award devaluations in Feb 2024 and Dec 2025, then higher EcoFly upgrade prices. Do not stockpile Miles&Smiles; transfer points only when you have a specific booking ready.
Frequently asked questions
- Does American Express or Chase transfer to Turkish Miles&Smiles? No. Neither Amex Membership Rewards nor Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Turkish Miles&Smiles. The US flexible currencies that do transfer are Citi ThankYou, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards.
- Does Citi ThankYou transfer 1:1 to Turkish Miles&Smiles? Yes for premium Citi cards. Citi Strata Premier, Strata Elite, and Prestige transfer at 1:1, while no annual fee Citi cards transfer at a lower 1000:700 rate.
- Is Turkish Airlines in an airline alliance? Yes. Turkish has been a Star Alliance member since 2008, so Miles&Smiles can book award seats across Star Alliance carriers such as United, Avianca, Aegean, and Singapore.
- Do Turkish Miles&Smiles miles expire? Yes. Miles expire 3 years from the date earned and flight activity does not reset the clock, though miles can be extended for a fee.
- How many miles for US to Istanbul business class on Turkish? 65,000 miles one way at the promotional level, or 135,000 at the regular level. Economy is 40,000 at the promotional level and 55,000 at the regular level. Turkish adds a cash surcharge on its own flights, so check the full cost before you transfer.
- Does Turkish Airlines have a US credit card? Yes. Turkish offers the Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature in the US, which earns bonus miles on Turkish purchases and grants Turkish lounge access for the primary cardholder flying Turkish.
Alerts
Status Promo
Turkish Miles&Smiles Adds 1,923 Bonus Status Miles for App Bookings on October 29
Book and ticket a Turkish Airlines flight in the Turkish mobile app on October 29, 2026 and earn an extra 1,923 Status Miles. Travel runs January 1 to May 31, 2027, on Turkish-operated flights only.
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Expires todayRead
Award SaleTurkish Miles&Smiles Cuts the Miles for Business Class Upgrades on Istanbul Flights
Miles&Smiles members flying between Atlanta, Montreal or Vancouver and Istanbul can get a discount on the miles for a business class upgrade. Upgrade by October 31, 2026.
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Expires in 2 daysRead
Award SaleTurkish Miles&Smiles Award Sale Covers Turkey to Asia and Australia
Turkish is discounting economy awards between Turkey and twelve cities in Asia and Australia for November travel. Ticket by October 30.
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Expires tomorrowRead
DevaluationTurkish Miles&Smiles Upgrades From EcoFly Now Cost Up to 38% More
Upgrading to business with miles now depends on which economy fare you bought. EcoFly pays more, every other economy fare keeps the old price, and on North America those other fares now upgrade for a flat 65,000 miles even close to departure.
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Read
Last reviewed: May 2026
Loyalty programs change rules, fees, transfer ratios, and award pricing all the time — sometimes without warning. We do our best to keep these pages current, but the program's own site is always the final word. Always confirm specifics directly with Turkish Miles&Smiles before transferring miles or booking an award. Treat anything on this page as a starting point, not a guarantee. Crazy4Points is not responsible for actions taken based on information here — see our Terms of Service for full details.