Aeromexico Rewards
Air Canada Aeroplan
American Airlines AAdvantage
Atmos Rewards (Alaska/Hawaiian)
Azul Fidelidade
Delta SkyMiles
Etihad Guest
Finnair Plus
Flying Blue (AF/KL)
GOL Smiles
Jetblue TrueBlue
Qantas Frequent Flyer
SAS EuroBonus
Turkish Miles&Smiles
United MileagePlus
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Australia Velocity
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is one of the last major frequent flyer programs with published, fixed award charts. You can check how many miles a flight should cost before searching for a seat, which makes the program easier to plan around than many Star Alliance alternatives. One of its best remaining redemptions is nonstop Business Class from North America to Istanbul for 65,000 miles.
Miles&Smiles has changed substantially since we first published this guide. Turkish raised many award prices in February 2024, then increased same-country partner awards again on December 3, 2025, without advance notice. The program also gained a US credit card and now accepts 1:1 transfers from Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt Rewards.
This guide covers the complete 2026 program: the Turkish Airlines and partner award charts, the separate domestic and Hawaii prices, valuable redemptions, ways to earn miles, elite status, booking rules, stopovers, and a step-by-step walkthrough for finding Miles&Smiles award seats with AwardFares.
December 2025 Devaluation: Domestic Partner Awards
On December 3, 2025, Turkish Airlines raised prices for direct same-country awards on Star Alliance and other partner airlines by 50%, without advance notice. One-way partner awards went from 10,000/15,000/20,000 miles (Economy/Business/First) to 15,000/22,500/30,000. US mainland–Hawaii awards moved to a separate chart at 25,000/40,000/50,000, an increase of up to 167%. The region-to-region charts below did not change.
Key Takeaways
- Two devaluations in two years: Turkish raised many award prices in February 2024, then increased direct same-country partner awards in December 2025 without notice.
- The region charts are fixed: Turkish still publishes real award charts, so you can plan redemptions with predictable prices, a rarity in 2026.
- Domestic partner awards went up 50%: Direct United flights within the US now cost 15,000 miles in Economy and 22,500 in Business each way.
- Hawaii has a separate chart: US mainland to Hawaii jumped to 25,000 miles in Economy and 40,000 in Business, up to 167% more than before.
- Istanbul in Business for 65,000 miles: The nonstop from anywhere in North America remains one of the best fixed-price Business Class deals in Star Alliance.
- Transfers are easy: Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt all move to Miles&Smiles at 1:1, and there’s a $99 US credit card with a welcome offer worth up to 40,000 miles.
- Partner bookings may need a phone call: Try the online Star Award flow first. If it does not issue the ticket, call 800-874-8875 or your local service center.
- Find seats before you transfer: AwardFares shows Miles&Smiles availability and prices across dates in one search, so you never move points on a guess.
What is Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles?
Miles&Smiles is the frequent flyer program of Turkish Airlines, the carrier that flies to more countries than any other airline. Members earn miles by flying with Turkish Airlines or its partners, using eligible credit cards and transferable points, and through hotel and shopping partners. Miles can be redeemed for Turkish Airlines and partner awards, cabin upgrades, and extras such as baggage and lounge access.
Membership is free, and the program has several useful features in 2026:
Program Features We Love
- Published award charts: Turkish shows fixed prices for Turkish Airlines and partner awards, so you can estimate the cost before searching.
- Two different Istanbul benefits: Turkish-operated round-trip awards can include a stopover, while the separate Istanbul Stopover program provides a free hotel on eligible long connections. We explain both in the booking rules section.
- Family Membership for elite members: Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus members can combine miles with a spouse and unmarried children under 25. Each family member keeps their own Status Miles. See our Miles&Smiles family awards guide for the full rules.
- Cash&Miles for paid tickets: Cash&Miles can use miles toward up to 50% of the base price of an eligible paid Turkish Airlines ticket. It is separate from award tickets and is not available on partner flights.
- Upgrade awards: Turkish publishes mileage prices for upgrades on eligible Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance fares.
- Paid mileage transfers: Members can transfer miles to another member, but the current price is $20 per 1,000 miles, so it is usually expensive.
- Additive pricing on Turkish Airlines itineraries: Turkish-operated awards with connections add the price of each segment. We show a worked example below.
The main drawbacks are cash surcharges on Turkish-operated long-haul awards, an inconsistent partner-booking website, and two recent devaluations. Even so, the fixed charts still offer good value on selected routes.
What’s New With Miles&Smiles in 2026?
These are the changes that matter most for current Miles&Smiles members:
- December 2025 domestic devaluation: Direct same-country partner awards increased to 15,000 miles in Economy, 22,500 in Business, and 30,000 in First. US mainland–Hawaii awards moved to a separate, more expensive chart. The award chart section has the current numbers.
- Region-to-region charts did not change in December 2025: The Turkish Airlines and region-to-region partner charts remained intact. Nonstop Business Class between North America and Istanbul still starts at 65,000 miles, while partner Business Class between North America and Europe starts at 85,000 or 90,000 miles, depending on the European region.
- Three major US transfer partners: Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt Rewards currently transfer to Miles&Smiles at 1:1.
- A US credit card: The Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature currently has a $99 annual fee, an offer worth up to 40,000 miles, Turkish lounge access, and up to 5,000 Status Miles per calendar year from eligible spending. Details are below.
- The 6 Continents challenge ended early: Turkish offered 1,000,000 miles for completing its six-continent challenge in 2025, but closed registration early. Our related article is included at the end of this guide.
The Miles&Smiles Award Charts (2026)
The Miles&Smiles award chart is region-based: the geographic regions of your origin and destination determine the mileage price. Turkish divides the world into regions like Europe 1, Europe 2, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Far East, and North America, and publishes the one-way prices between them.
The tables below were checked against Turkish Airlines’ official award tables on July 14, 2026.
There are four charts to know in 2026, and the December 2025 devaluation made the differences more important:
- The Turkish Airlines chart, for flights operated by Turkish Airlines, with Promotion and regular Award Ticket pricing.
- The Star Award region chart, for region-to-region flights on Star Alliance partners.
- The domestic partner chart, for same-country flights on partners (this is the one that got hit in December 2025).
- The Hawaii chart, new as of December 2025, for US mainland to Hawaii partner awards.
Promotion Award Ticket vs. Award Ticket vs. Star Award Ticket
Turkish splits its redemptions into three types, and the names matter when you’re searching on turkishairlines.com:
- Promotion Award Tickets are the cheapest option, available only on Turkish Airlines flights, and capacity controlled. If you have flexible dates, look for these prices first.
- Award Tickets are the higher-priced option on Turkish Airlines flights, with broader availability than Promotion Awards.
- Star Award Tickets are partner redemptions on Star Alliance airlines, priced on their own region chart. Turkish’s website has a dedicated Book Star Award Tickets flow for these.
| Promotion Award Ticket | Award Ticket | Star Award Ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles required | Lowest | Higher | Fixed partner chart rates |
| Applicable flights | Turkish Airlines only | Turkish Airlines only | Star Alliance partner flights |
| Seat availability | Limited; capacity controlled | Wide, based on seats for sale | Standard partner award space |
| Booking flexibility | Less flexible; can sell out fast | Most flexible | Depends on partner availability |
| Where to book | turkishairlines.com | turkishairlines.com | Online first; call if it does not issue |
Miles&Smiles Award Regions
Europe 1 and Europe 2 are easy to confuse, and using the wrong region changes the price. Turkish currently assigns them as follows:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe 1 | Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Ukraine |
| Europe 2 | Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom |
Check the official tables linked above if your trip involves a territory or a country near a regional boundary.
Awards on Turkish Airlines
These are the one-way prices for flights operated by Turkish Airlines, to and from Türkiye. This chart was not changed in the December 2025 devaluation.
| Region | Description | Promotion Award Ticket (Economy Class) | Promotion Award Ticket (Business Class) | Award Ticket (Economy Class) | Award Ticket (Business Class) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | This region encompasses all domestic flights within Turkey. | 4,500 | 10,000 | 8,500 | 15,000 |
| Europe 1 | Nearby European countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Hungary. | 10,000 | 20,000 | 15,000 | 30,000 |
| Europe 2 | Most of Western, Central, and Northern Europe, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia. | 15,000 | 25,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 |
| Central Asia | This region includes countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. | 20,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| Middle East | This region includes countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. | 18,000 | 28,000 | 23,000 | 45,000 |
| North Africa | This region includes countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. | 20,000 | 40,000 | 35,000 | 55,000 |
| Central Africa | This region includes countries such as Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. | 25,000 | 60,000 | 55,000 | 110,000 |
| Southern Africa | This region includes countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, and Eswatini. | 35,000 | 75,000 | 70,000 | 150,000 |
| Far East | This region includes countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. | 35,000 | 65,000 | 55,000 | 140,000 |
| North America | This region includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Greenland. | 40,000 | 65,000 | 55,000 | 135,000 |
| South America | This region includes all countries in South America. | 50,000 | 75,000 | 65,000 | 145,000 |
| Oceania | This region includes Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific Island nations. | 60,000 | 140,000 | 100,000 | 210,000 |
Prices are one-way, between Türkiye and each region. Turkish-operated itineraries with connections add the segments together (see additive pricing below).
Star Award Tickets: The Partner Region Chart
Miles&Smiles is a member of Star Alliance, so you can redeem miles on a huge network of partner airlines, from United and Lufthansa to Singapore Airlines and ANA. Region-to-region Star Award Tickets price from the chart below, which also survived the December 2025 devaluation intact. Availability on partners follows standard partner award space, and surcharges vary by carrier.
| Region | Flight Class | Türkiye | Europe 1 | Europe 2 | Central Asia | Middle East | North Africa | Central Africa | Southern Africa | Far East | North America | South America | Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | Economy Class | 4,500 | 10,000 | 15,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 35,000 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| Business Class | 10,000 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 35,000 | 28,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 | 75,000 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 | 140,000 | |
| First Class | 30,000 | 35,000 | 50,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 | 90,000 | 110,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 110,000 | 200,000 | ||
| Europe 1 | Economy Class | 25,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 28,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 | |
| Business Class | 35,000 | 45,000 | 55,000 | 48,000 | 60,000 | 80,000 | 95,000 | 85,000 | 85,000 | 95,000 | 160,000 | ||
| First Class | 45,000 | 65,000 | 80,000 | 70,000 | 90,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 | 130,000 | 130,000 | 140,000 | 230,000 | ||
| Europe 2 | Economy Class | 25,000 | 35,000 | 33,000 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 55,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 | ||
| Business Class | 35,000 | 60,000 | 53,000 | 65,000 | 85,000 | 100,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 | 165,000 | |||
| First Class | 45,000 | 90,000 | 80,000 | 100,000 | 130,000 | 150,000 | 135,000 | 135,000 | 150,000 | 230,000 | |||
| Central Asia | Economy Class | 25,000 | 38,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 | 55,000 | 55,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 | 80,000 | |||
| Business Class | 35,000 | 63,000 | 75,000 | 95,000 | 110,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 110,000 | 175,000 | ||||
| First Class | 45,000 | 95,000 | 110,000 | 140,000 | 165,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 | 165,000 | 250,000 | ||||
| Middle East | Economy Class | 25,000 | 38,000 | 43,000 | 53,000 | 53,000 | 58,000 | 68,000 | 78,000 | ||||
| Business Class | 35,000 | 68,000 | 88,000 | 103,000 | 93,000 | 93,000 | 103,000 | 168,000 | |||||
| First Class | 45,000 | 100,000 | 130,000 | 150,000 | 140,000 | 140,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | |||||
| North Africa | Economy Class | 25,000 | 45,000 | 55,000 | 55,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 | 80,000 | |||||
| Business Class | 35,000 | 100,000 | 115,000 | 105,000 | 105,000 | 115,000 | 180,000 | ||||||
| First Class | 45,000 | 150,000 | 170,000 | 160,000 | 160,000 | 170,000 | 260,000 | ||||||
| Central Africa | Economy Class | 30,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 | 85,000 | ||||||
| Business Class | 40,000 | 135,000 | 125,000 | 125,000 | 135,000 | 200,000 | |||||||
| First Class | 50,000 | 200,000 | 190,000 | 190,000 | 200,000 | 285,000 | |||||||
| Southern Africa | Economy Class | 25,000 | 70,000 | 75,000 | 85,000 | 95,000 | |||||||
| Business Class | 35,000 | 140,000 | 140,000 | 150,000 | 215,000 | ||||||||
| First Class | 45,000 | 210,000 | 210,000 | 225,000 | 310,000 | ||||||||
| Far East | Economy Class | 35,000 | 75,000 | 85,000 | 95,000 | ||||||||
| Business Class | 50,000 | 130,000 | 140,000 | 205,000 | |||||||||
| First Class | 65,000 | 195,000 | 210,000 | 290,000 | |||||||||
| North America | Economy Class | 30,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 | |||||||||
| Business Class | 40,000 | 140,000 | 205,000 | ||||||||||
| First Class | 50,000 | 210,000 | 290,000 | ||||||||||
| South America | Economy Class | 35,000 | 110,000 | ||||||||||
| Business Class | 50,000 | 215,000 | |||||||||||
| First Class | 65,000 | 310,000 | |||||||||||
| Oceania | Economy Class | 30,000 | |||||||||||
| Business Class | 40,000 | ||||||||||||
| First Class | 50,000 |
Prices are one-way. Note that the North America to North America row (30,000/40,000/50,000) is the intra-region international rate, for example US to Canada or US to Mexico. Same-country domestic flights, like a United hop within the US, price on the separate domestic chart below.
Domestic Partner Awards After December 2025
This is the chart the December 3, 2025 devaluation rewrote. It applies to direct same-country flights on Star Alliance and other partner airlines, such as United from Chicago to Denver, Lufthansa within Germany, or Air Canada within Canada. Here is the before and after, one-way:
| Cabin | Old Price | New Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 10,000 | 15,000 | +50% |
| Business | 15,000 | 22,500 | +50% |
| First | 20,000 | 30,000 | +50% |
Even at the new prices, 15,000 miles for a nonstop United flight within the mainland US, or 22,500 in domestic First, can still be useful when the cash fare or United’s mileage price is high. Compare both options before transferring points.
The New Hawaii Chart
The same December 2025 change moved direct partner flights between the US mainland and Hawaii to a separate chart. What used to be a 10,000-mile Economy award now prices like this, one-way:
| Cabin | Old Price | New Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 10,000 | 25,000 | +150% |
| Business | 15,000 | 40,000 | +167% |
| First | 20,000 | 50,000 | +150% |
At 25,000 miles one-way in Economy, Turkish is no longer the obvious way to book United flights to Hawaii. Compare against United MileagePlus and other Star Alliance programs before transferring anything.
How Are Segments Priced? (Additive Pricing)
Turkish Airlines itineraries with multiple segments add the price of each segment together.
It’s easy to confirm this with AwardFares. In the example below, we search for flights from Stockholm (ARN) to New York (JFK) and see available seats in Economy for 75,000 miles.
The pricing corresponds to adding up the two segments: ARN-IST (20,000 miles) and IST-JFK (55,000 miles).
This means nonstop awards to and from Istanbul usually offer better value on Turkish Airlines, because every connection adds another segment price. AwardFares shows the total mileage price in the result list, so you can compare options without calculating each segment.
Best Miles&Smiles Sweet Spots Right Now
The domestic chart is more expensive now, but several valuable redemptions remain in 2026:
- North America to Istanbul in Business Class for 65,000 miles: This is the Promotion Award Ticket price on Turkish’s nonstops from cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Toronto. The onboard chef and catering make it a strong Business Class experience. Promotion space is limited, so this is one of the first alerts we would set.
- Direct domestic United flights for 15,000/22,500 miles: A direct same-country partner flight costs 15,000 miles in Economy or 22,500 in Business one-way, regardless of distance. It can still make sense on expensive routes or peak dates, but compare United’s price first.
- Istanbul to Central Asia in Business for 35,000 miles: The partner chart prices Türkiye to Central Asia Business at 35,000 miles. This can be useful for cities such as Almaty, Tashkent, and Samarkand, where cash fares can be high.
- Istanbul to the Far East in Business for 65,000 miles: Whether on Turkish’s own promo chart or the partner chart, 65,000 miles one-way in Business to Tokyo, Singapore, or Bangkok is strong value for 10+ hour flights.
- Europe to North America on partners from 85,000 miles in Business: Europe 1 to North America costs 85,000 miles, while Europe 2 costs 90,000. This can help when Turkish’s own transatlantic Promotion Awards are unavailable.
Sweet Spot Deep Dives
Note that our sweet-spot deep dives above were written before the December 2025 domestic changes; the charts in this guide carry the current numbers.
How to Earn Miles&Smiles Miles
You don’t need to fly Turkish to build a Miles&Smiles balance. In 2026, the fastest routes into the program are transferable points:
Transfer Partners
| Partner | Transfer Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citi ThankYou Points | 1:1 | Transfers from Citi’s premium cards |
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | Transfers from Venture-family cards |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Earn on rent, transfer 1:1 |
| Revolut RevPoints | 1:1 | Available in eligible markets |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 | Hotel points; check current transfer bonuses |
| Hilton Honors | 10:1 | Weak ratio; usually not worth it |
| Choice Privileges | 5:1 | Situational at best |
| Wyndham Rewards | 5:1 | 6,000 Wyndham points become 1,200 miles |
Having three major 1:1 bank partners (Citi, Capital One, and Bilt) makes Miles&Smiles relatively easy to access in the US. HSBC also partners with Miles&Smiles in selected countries, but the ratio depends on the market and card. Find the award seat before transferring. Transfers cannot be reversed, and Promotion Award space can disappear while you wait.
Flying
Miles earned from flights depend on the fare class, distance flown, and your membership tier, on both Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partners. Flying also earns Status Miles, which count toward elite tiers. Crediting partner flights to Miles&Smiles can make sense if you want to earn Star Alliance Gold through the program.
Other Ways to Earn
- The US credit card, covered in the next section.
- Shop&Miles and shopping partners, plus hotel stays and car rentals with program partners.
- Buying miles: Turkish sells miles, but buying them usually makes sense only to complete a specific redemption. Check the award price and availability first.
The Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature (US Credit Card)
Since July 2024, US members have had a dedicated co-branded option: the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature, issued by First Electronic Bank. There is no Barclays Miles&Smiles card, despite what some older guides claim.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 |
| Welcome offer | Worth up to 40,000 miles; at the time of writing, 25,000 miles after $2,000 in the first 90 days plus 15,000 more after $8,000 total in the first 12 months |
| Earning | 3x on Turkish Airlines purchases; 2x on dining, groceries, entertainment, and lodging; 1x elsewhere |
| Status boost | 125 Status Miles per $500 in net purchases per statement cycle, up to 5,000 Status Miles per calendar year |
| Travel perks | Turkish Airlines lounge access worldwide, subject to eligibility, plus priority check-in and boarding on Turkish flights to and from the US |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
The full welcome offer is enough for a one-way Economy Promotion Award from North America to Istanbul. Card offers and benefits change, so check the current terms at uscards.turkishairlines.com before applying.
Elite Status: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus
Miles&Smiles has four tiers. Everyone starts at Classic, and you climb by earning Status Miles from flying (and, with the US card, from spending):
| Tier | Qualification in the Previous 12 Months | Star Alliance Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Entry level | Member | Earn and redeem miles |
| Classic Plus | 25,000 or 40 paid flights in 12 months | Star Alliance Silver | Family Membership, domestic lounge access, extra baggage, and priority check-in |
| Elite | 40,000 | Star Alliance Gold | Worldwide Star Alliance lounge access, priority boarding and baggage |
| Elite Plus | 80,000 | Star Alliance Gold | Elite benefits, two Turkish Airlines cabin upgrades, and the ability to gift Elite status to up to three people |
Miles&Smiles status is valid for two years. The main target for many travelers is Star Alliance Gold at 40,000 Status Miles, which includes alliance lounge access and priority airport services when traveling on eligible Star Alliance flights.
Miles&Smiles Status Renewal
Renewal thresholds are lower than the initial qualification thresholds:
| Tier | First 12 Months | Full 2-Year Status Period |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Plus | 17,000 Status Miles or 30 paid flights | 35,000 Status Miles or 60 paid flights |
| Elite (members living in Türkiye) | 30,000 Status Miles | 45,000 Status Miles |
| Elite (members living outside Türkiye) | 25,000 Status Miles | 37,500 Status Miles |
| Elite Plus | 40,000 Status Miles | 60,000 Status Miles |
Meeting either the first-period or full-period requirement renews the tier for another two years. Confirm the current details on the official Miles&Smiles status pages.
When Does Turkish Airlines Release Award Seats?
Turkish Airlines opens its own booking calendar roughly 354 days before departure, and the Miles&Smiles booking window runs to about 331 days out. Award space, especially Promotion Awards on US nonstops, does not always appear when the calendar opens. Seats may appear later, and additional availability sometimes opens close to departure.
Two practical consequences:
- If you’re planning around a fixed date (school holidays, a wedding), start watching as soon as the calendar opens.
- If your dates are flexible, alerts reduce the need for daily manual checks. Availability on Turkish’s transatlantic routes changes frequently.
When Every Airline Releases Award Seats
How To Find Miles&Smiles Award Availability (Step-by-Step)
Turkish Airlines searches one route and date at a time, which makes flexible-date searches slow. AwardFares searches multiple dates at once, shows prices in the results, and lets you filter the options. Here is how:
1. Go to AwardFares
You can search without an account. A free AwardFares account gives you access to additional features, including alerts.
2. Select the Frequent Flyer Program
In the Frequent Flyer Program picker, select Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
3. Add a Route
In the From and To fields, enter your departure and arrival airports. In the example below, we search for flights between Istanbul (IST) and New York (JFK).
4. Explore Travel Dates
Tap on Calendar to add a specific date.
AwardFares will search for available seats on flights that day, and show the results in a list below.
Alternatively, you can use the Timeline View feature to check availability across multiple days at once. The bars show different classes in different colors. This is the fastest way to spot which dates have Promotion Award space without clicking through the calendar day by day.
5. Sort by Price
Sorting by price is the fastest way to surface Promotion Award pricing. On the result list, tap on the header columns to sort the results by price. Use the Eco, Prem, Biz, and First class tags to find cheap awards across multiple dates, itineraries, and airlines.
Use the Max Price filter to set a mileage limit. For example, set it to 65,000 on a US route to Istanbul to show Business Class results at the Promotion Award price.
6. Filter the Results (Optional)
You can filter by cabin, number of stops, number of passengers, aircraft type, or flight number.
7. Set an Alert
If no suitable seats are available, save the search as an Alert. AwardFares will email you when matching seats appear. This is useful for Miles&Smiles because Promotion Award availability changes frequently, and you should confirm a seat before transferring points.
Alerts at Promo Prices
Set the alert with a Max Price at the Promotion Award level, such as 65,000 miles from the US to Istanbul in Business Class. This excludes the higher 135,000-mile Award Ticket price.
8. Book on Turkish Airlines’ Website
Once you find your desired flight, click the Book button.
AwardFares opens the Turkish Airlines website with your search details filled in. Turkish-operated awards can usually be completed online. Partner awards may require a phone call, as explained in the next section.
Booking Rules, Stopovers, and Fees
Miles&Smiles booking rules differ between Turkish Airlines and partner awards. These are the main points to check before transferring miles.
Booking Star Alliance Partner Awards (Usually by Phone)
Turkish’s website has a dedicated Star Award Ticket flow, but partner awards do not always complete online. Confirm that a ticket was issued after payment; a reservation alone is not enough.
The reliable route is:
- Find the seat first on AwardFares.
- Try the online Star Award Ticket flow.
- If it does not issue the ticket, call the US service center at 800-874-8875, or your local Turkish Airlines service center.
- Give the agent the exact flight numbers, dates, cabin, and number of passengers. If the agent cannot price the itinerary, try another agent.
Confirm the E-Ticket Number
Do not treat a Star Award Ticket as confirmed until every passenger has an e-ticket number. If no ticket arrives after checkout, contact Turkish Airlines before trying again.
Stopovers on Award Tickets
Miles&Smiles allows one stopover on a Turkish Airlines-operated award ticket, on either the outbound or return journey. The official award travel terms add two important restrictions:
- Stopovers are not permitted on awards issued online, so call to build and ticket the itinerary.
- One-way awards cannot include a stopover, and connections cannot exceed 24 hours.
One open jaw is also permitted on an award ticket, such as flying Istanbul–Berlin outbound and Hamburg–Istanbul on the return.
The Free Istanbul Stopover Hotel Program (Separate Benefit)
Turkish also has a separate Stopover in Istanbul hotel program. Eligible passengers receive one night in a 4-star hotel in Economy or two nights in a 5-star or boutique hotel in Business. Some departure countries currently receive two Economy nights or three Business nights; check the official page for the current list.
The main conditions are:
- International origin and destination with a connection at Istanbul Airport lasting 20 hours to 7 days.
- A round-trip itinerary, with every flight operated by Turkish Airlines and all flights on the same reservation.
- The trip must start and end in the same country, and the ticket number must begin with 235.
- The hotel can be used once, on either the outbound or return journey.
- Apply at least 72 hours before the eligible flight.
An eligible Turkish Airlines award can qualify, but it must meet every condition above. The seven-day limit belongs to the hotel program; it is not an award-ticket stopover rule.
Taxes and Surcharges
Miles&Smiles awards can include carrier surcharges. Recent Turkish-operated transatlantic searches have shown roughly $200 to $250 each way, but the total depends on the route, cabin, currency, and date. Partner awards can be much lower or higher depending on the operating airline. AwardFares displays available cash amounts alongside the mileage price, and Turkish itemizes the total before payment. Always check both figures.
Changes, Cancellations, Cash&Miles, and Expiration
As of July 14, 2026, Turkish lists a $70 transaction fee for changes or mileage refunds on international awards and TRY 450 on domestic awards. After a no-show, the listed fees increase to $170 internationally and TRY 1,050 domestically. These amounts can change, so confirm them in the official award travel terms before booking.
A standard award ticket requires the full mileage balance and cannot be combined with another payment method. Cash&Miles is different: it uses miles toward up to 50% of the base fare, excluding taxes, on an eligible paid Turkish Airlines ticket. Tax&Smiles can use miles to cover taxes on eligible Turkish Airlines award tickets.
Miles normally expire at the end of the third full calendar year after they are credited. Miles that are about to expire can be extended for another three years at $20 per 1,000 miles. Turkish also allows miles that expired within the previous year to be reactivated at the same rate. See the Miles&Smiles terms before paying, because extension and reactivation charges are nonrefundable.
AwardFares vs. the Turkish Airlines Website
Consider a Chicago to Istanbul Business Class search. Turkishairlines.com shows one date per search, with Promotion and regular Award prices in the same results. Run the same ORD to IST search on AwardFares to compare dates across the month, find the 65,000-mile Promotion price, exclude 135,000-mile Award Tickets, and check partner alternatives when the nonstop is unavailable.
| Feature | turkishairlines.com | AwardFares |
|---|---|---|
| Search scope | One route, one day at a time | ✅ Multiple routes, a month at a glance |
| Promotion Award spotting | Mixed into results, easy to miss | ✅ Sort by price, Max Price filter |
| Star Alliance partners | Shown, but some bookings do not issue online | ✅ Full partner visibility before booking |
| Alerts | ❌ None | ✅ Email alerts when seats open |
| Cross-program comparison | ❌ Miles&Smiles only | ✅ Compare with other programs side by side |
| Advanced filters | Limited | ✅ Cabin, stops, aircraft, flight number |
- Search more dates. AwardFares shows multiple dates and routes at once, so you can see nearby dates with lower prices.
- Better availability visibility. Turkish’s website may not surface every partner award option, especially on complex itineraries. AwardFares shows Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partner space in the same result list.
- Price alerts. Find Promotion Awards at the best rates by setting up alerts and getting notified when seats appear, instead of checking manually.
- Advanced filters. Narrow results by cabin, airline, connections, aircraft type, and more.
- Compare across programs. Sometimes another Star Alliance program prices the same seat better. AwardFares lets you compare Miles&Smiles against other programs in the same view; our Star Alliance program comparison shows when Turkish wins and when it doesn’t.
Become a Miles&Smiles Pro
Miles&Smiles still has useful fixed prices, but the best awards depend on availability. Find the seat first, check the mileage and cash totals, transfer only the points you need, and then book. Partner awards may require a phone call.
You can try AwardFares for free or sign up for our monthly newsletter for product and award-travel updates. Gold and Diamond members get additional features such as unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, and flight schedules.
You can find more program coverage on our Miles&Smiles hub. These guides are useful next:
Continue Your Journey
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles do I need for a Turkish Airlines award ticket?
It depends on the regions you’re flying between. Domestic flights within Türkiye start at 4,500 miles one-way, Europe 1 to Türkiye starts at 10,000, and North America to Türkiye starts at 40,000 in Economy and 65,000 in Business as Promotion Award Tickets. See the full award charts above for every region pair.
What is a Promotion Award Ticket?
Promotion Award Tickets are the cheapest redemption level on Turkish Airlines flights, with capacity-controlled availability. They’re the prices in the “Promotion” columns of the award chart, like 65,000 miles for North America to Istanbul in Business. When promo space is gone, the same flight prices at the higher Award Ticket level.
What is a Star Award Ticket?
A Star Award Ticket is a Miles&Smiles redemption on a Star Alliance partner airline, like United, Lufthansa, or Singapore Airlines. These price from Turkish’s region-to-region partner chart, plus the separate domestic and Hawaii charts. They can be booked online, but some itineraries require a call to complete ticketing.
How do I book Turkish Airlines flights with miles?
Search for award space first; AwardFares shows Miles&Smiles availability and prices across a whole month. Book Turkish-operated flights directly on turkishairlines.com. For partner flights, try the online Star Award flow and call the service center if it does not issue. Award itineraries with a stopover must be booked by phone. The step-by-step walkthrough covers the full process.
What is the Miles&Smiles award chart after the December 2025 devaluation?
The region-to-region charts for Turkish Airlines flights and Star Alliance partners were not changed. What changed on December 3, 2025: same-country domestic partner awards rose 50% to 15,000/22,500/30,000 miles (Economy/Business/First) one-way, and US mainland to Hawaii moved to its own chart at 25,000/40,000/50,000.
Can I book Star Alliance partner awards online with Miles&Smiles?
There is an online Star Award Ticket flow, but some partner bookings do not complete online. Find the space first, try the online flow, and confirm that every passenger receives an e-ticket number. If it does not issue, call the US service center at 800-874-8875 or your local Turkish Airlines service center.
When does Turkish Airlines release award seats?
Turkish opens its schedule roughly 354 days out, and the Miles&Smiles booking window runs to about 331 days. Award space, especially Promotion Awards, is released gradually rather than all at once, and more often opens near departure. Our award release dates guide has the full comparison across airlines.
Does Turkish Airlines allow stopovers on award tickets?
One stopover is allowed on a Turkish Airlines-operated award ticket, on either the outbound or return journey, and it must be booked by phone. A one-way award cannot include a stopover. Separately, eligible round-trip Turkish Airlines itineraries with an international connection in Istanbul of 20 hours to 7 days can receive a free hotel. The hotel program has additional conditions explained above.
Which credit cards transfer to Turkish Miles&Smiles?
Citi ThankYou Points, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards transfer at 1:1 for eligible US cardholders. Revolut RevPoints also transfer at 1:1 in eligible markets. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1, Hilton Honors at 10:1, Choice Privileges at 5:1, and Wyndham Rewards at 5:1.
Is there a Miles&Smiles credit card in the US?
Yes. The Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature, issued by First Electronic Bank, has a $99 annual fee, a welcome offer worth up to 40,000 miles, 3x earning on Turkish purchases, Turkish Airlines lounge access subject to eligibility, and up to 5,000 Status Miles per calendar year from spending. See the card section for details.
How much are taxes and surcharges on Miles&Smiles awards?
Recent Turkish-operated transatlantic searches have shown roughly $200 to $250 in taxes and surcharges each way. The exact amount depends on the route, cabin, currency, and date. Partner totals vary by operating airline, so always check the cash amount before ticketing.
Do Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles miles expire?
Yes. Miles normally expire at the end of the third full calendar year after they are credited. Miles that are about to expire can be extended for three more years at $20 per 1,000 miles. Miles that expired within the previous year can also be reactivated at the same rate.
Can I use Cash&Miles if I do not have enough miles for an award ticket?
No. A standard award ticket requires the full mileage balance and cannot be combined with cash. Cash&Miles applies to eligible paid Turkish Airlines tickets and can cover up to 50% of the base fare, excluding taxes. Tax&Smiles is the separate option for paying taxes on eligible Turkish Airlines awards with miles.
Is Miles&Smiles free to join?
Yes. Miles&Smiles membership is free. Award tickets can still include taxes, carrier surcharges, and service fees.
What is the best use of Turkish Airlines miles?
For most people: nonstop Business Class between North America and Istanbul for 65,000 miles as a Promotion Award. Beyond that, Istanbul to Central Asia in Business (35,000 miles on partners) and Istanbul to the Far East in Business (65,000 miles) are standouts. See the sweet spots section for the full list at current prices.
Find & Monitor Award Flight Availability
Use AwardFares to instantly search multiple frequent flyer programs. Find available award seats, set up alerts to monitor availability, check flight schedules, view seat maps, and more—all in one place.