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Book now: Turkish Airlines business class award availability for summer and fall travel

April 05, 2024
5 min read
Suleymaniye Mosque and Golden Horn harbor in Istanbul, Turkey
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Beginning on June 11, Turkish Airlines will launch a new nonstop route from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Istanbul Airport (IST). To kick off the exciting new transcontinental flight, several Star Alliance partners are offering business-class award seats for as low as 88,000 miles with open availability from July through late fall, first reported by Instagram user @Findflightsforme.

Even if Istanbul is not on your bucket list, this could be a great positioning flight to visit other countries in Europe and Asia this summer.

Keep reading to find out how you can book business-class tickets to Istanbul this summer.

Book Turkish Airlines business-class flights through United

As a Star Alliance member, you can snag one-way business-class seats from DEN to IST for as low as 88,000 MileagePlus miles. Whether you're planning to travel this summer or into the fall, United's website currently shows wide open award availability.

UNITED.COM

MileagePlus is a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, with the recent addition of MileagePlus family pooling, you can now join and pool and leverage several family and/or friends' miles to help book award flights.

Related: United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more

Book Turkish Airlines business-class flights through Aeroplan

Unlike other airline loyalty programs that operate using dynamic ticket pricing, Air Canada's Aeroplan still operates using an award chart system for partner flights. Plus, since eliminating having to pay fuel surcharges on award flights, Aeroplan is a great option to book use when looking for award availability.

Currently, Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase, Capital One miles and Bilt, making it an easy program to use your transferable points.

If you're looking to travel from Denver to Istanbul this summer and/or fall, you can book one-way business-class seats for as low as 90,000 points.

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However, when searching for nonstop flights on Turkish Airlines when booking through Aeroplan, there was limited availability compared to United. Therefore, you may have to be flexible on your travel days if you want to book this route in particular.

Related: Air Canada's Aeroplan program: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming points

Book Turkish Airlines business-class flights through ANA

ANA Mileage Club may not offer the most user-friendly online database when it comes to booking award flights; however, the airline still uses award charts which makes it a viable option if you want to book award flights from the U.S. to Europe and Asia. As a Star Alliance member, you can book business-class tickets from Denver to Istanbul for 88,000 miles round-trip. Yes, round-trip business-class seats for under 100,000 miles.

While that may seem surprisingly low, just keep in mind that ANA passes on fuel surcharges to some partner airlines. Therefore, if you want to book this itinerary on Turkish Airlines through ANA Mileage Club, be prepared to pay about $500 in taxes and fees.

Currently, Amex Membership Rewards is a transfer partner of ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio.

Aside from the high surcharges, keep in mind that ANA only allows you to book round-trip award flights. Additionally, if you want to get the most out of your points and miles, be sure to book your seats before ANA increases its award chart prices, which is set to go into effect on April 18.

Related: Why you need to know about ANA Mileage Club as a US-based traveler

Best credit cards to book Turkish Airlines business-class flights

As we mentioned, there are several ways you can use your transferable credit card points to book one-way or even round-trip business-class seats from Denver to Istanbul this summer and fall. Whether you decide to visit the beautiful country of Turkey or use this as a positioning flight to venture to other parts of Europe and Asia, here are some of the best travel credit cards we great welcome offers that can help get you there.

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
  • American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
  • Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
Featured image by ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    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.