5 Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles sweet spots you can use to maximize your transferable rewards
Editor's Note
If you're looking to use transferable credit card points to take advantage of frequent flyer award chart sweet spots, Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program should be on your radar.
With Miles&Smiles, you can book a United Airlines flight from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii for only 7,500 miles, enjoy a lie-flat seat on a cross-country journey for just 12,500 miles, or fly to Europe in business class for 45,000 miles each way. The catch is that you have to find award space, which can be difficult on some routes.
Turkish Miles&Smiles is a 1:1 transfer partner of Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards points, which makes it easy for many travelers to earn Turkish miles.
Today, we'll highlight five ways you can maximize your credit card points with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
Hawaii for 7,500 miles each way
Paid fares to Hawaii often cost over $500 round-trip from the mainland U.S. Meanwhile, award tickets between the continental U.S. and Hawaii with many programs are more expensive than domestic awards within the continental U.S.
However, this isn't the case with Turkish Miles&Smiles, which charges just 15,000 miles for a round-trip economy award between the continental U.S. and Hawaii. These awards carry no fuel surcharges, and in theory, you can book these online — though if you're not finding award space online, be prepared to call Turkish Airlines.
You can also fly between the continental U.S. and Hawaii in business class for just 12,500 miles each way. The only problem is that business-class award space can be extremely difficult to find on routes to and from Hawaii. But you may luck out by traveling on off-peak dates and setting award space alerts with ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures).
Related: How to fly to Hawaii for just 15,000 miles round-trip
Domestic business class for 12,500 miles, including transcontinental
Turkish Miles&Smiles charges just 12,500 miles each way for domestic business-class awards on United, regardless of the distance.
While business-class award availability on Hawaii flights is rare, finding it on other domestic routes is easier. If you're booking far in advance or at the last minute, you might even find availability on premium transcontinental routes between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO) that feature United's Polaris business-class seats. However, even if your flight doesn't offer lie-flat seats, booking a domestic business-class award for 12,500 miles is a bargain.
Related: Best domestic first-class flights and how to book them
Business class to Europe for 45,000 miles each way
Turkish Airlines isn't only good for booking domestic flights. You can book business-class awards between North America and Europe for just 45,000 miles each way. That's a steal compared to the more than 60,000 miles most programs charge for these awards.
You can redeem Turkish miles for flights operated by various Star Alliance partners. Just note that some partners, particularly Lufthansa and Swiss, tack on hefty fuel surcharges. You can avoid fuel surcharges by flying with Brussels Airlines, Scandinavian (SAS), LOT Polish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines.
Related: How to book Star Alliance business-class flights to Europe for 45,000 miles each way
Mexico for 10,000 miles in economy or 15,000 in business class
While award flights between the U.S. and Mexico on United booked through United MileagePlus generally cost at least 17,500 miles each way in economy or 30,000 miles in business class, you can again save miles by booking through Turkish Miles&Smiles instead.
Turkish Miles&Smiles charges just 10,000 miles in economy or 15,000 in business class for any nonstop award on a Star Alliance airline between the U.S. and Mexico, regardless of whether you're heading to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City or anywhere else in the country.
Related: Best all-inclusive resorts in the world, according to frequent travelers
North America to India for 52,500 miles in business class
Although there are many ways to fly to India with points and miles, award rates are typically steep. However, Turkish offers some of the lowest rates.
On its award chart, Turkish includes India in the Central Asia zone. So, you'll only need to redeem 34,000 miles each way in economy and 52,500 in business for award flights between the U.S. and India. However, avoid partners like Lufthansa if you don't want to pay high fuel surcharges.
Related: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability
Bottom line
The Turkish Miles&Smiles program often offers excellent award rates, even if you have no plans to visit Turkey. And earning Turkish miles is easy thanks to the 1:1 transfer ratio from Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. With the right redemption, you can use your credit card points to unlock tremendous value with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.