Turkish Airlines releases new credit card: Another way to earn Miles&Smiles
If you're a Turkish Airlines loyalist, there's a new cobranded credit card that just hit the market for your consideration. Turkish Airlines has just released its first credit card for the U.S. market. The $99 annual fee Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature credit card is issued by First Electronic Bank and is only open to U.S. applicants.
Applications are now open as of July 10, and the first 5,000 approved customers will receive the card's exclusive, limited-edition metal version.
Previously, the only way to earn Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles with a credit card was to transfer them from Citi ThankYou as a Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) cardholder or through a card that earns Capital One Miles, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Check out the card details to help you decide if this card is right for you.
The information for the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier overview
New cardholders will earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within 90 days of account opening. The bonus offer is enough to get a one-way economy ticket from anywhere in North America to Istanbul.
Cardholders will earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Turkish Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, groceries, entertainment and lodging and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other qualifying purchases. As a travel credit card, it does not charge foreign transaction fees.
As a Visa Signature card, the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier comes with benefits such as access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Signature Rental Car Privileges and other perks.
Is the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier worth it?
As a fan of Turkish Airlines, I'm happy to see the carrier introduce a card for the U.S. market. Although the card earns bonus miles in several categories, it falls short compared to other airline-cobranded cards or cards offering Turkish Airlines as a transfer partner.
For example, the Citi Strata Premier offers 3 points per dollar in many categories, including dining, groceries and hotels. Meanwhile, the Miles&Smiles Premier card offers only 2 miles per dollar. In that regard you're better off spending on the Citi Strata Premier and transferring your points to Turkish Airlines.
With Turkish Airlines devaluing their award chart, several sweet spots like North America to Turkey for 45,000 points in business class one-way and 47,000 points in business class one-way to the Middle East have disappeared. Higher award costs and additive pricing for multisegment journeys will affect whether this card is worth it.
The card also lacks additional perks and benefits when flying Turkish Airlines, not to mention no benefit to help cardholders earn elite status with the airline and, thus, Star Alliance.
Related: Post-Miles&Smiles devaluation: Why I'm using Aeroplan for Star Alliance redemptions
Bottom line
The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature credit card is the newest card in the marketplace. It's great to see international airline carriers getting into the world of credit cards for U.S. applicants, as this increases competition. Although the card has a low annual fee and decent earning rates, it lacks some benefits. More Turkish Airlines-specific benefits such as upgrades, a pathway to elite status or statement credits could have set this card apart, but for now it is only average.
TPG featured card
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| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.