More miles, fewer smiles: Turkish Airlines publishes new (devalued) award charts — book your tickets now
If you have a Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles redemption planned, book it as soon as possible: Prices will soon increase significantly.
As first reported by Prince of Travel, the program will roll out a massive pricing devaluation Feb. 16, which will see redemption rates increase by up to 100% with a new per-segment pricing structure.
Currently, the program offers attractive redemption rates, particularly to Turkey and Europe, with economy awards starting at 30,000 miles each way and business-class awards starting at 45,000 miles, with connections included for the same price. For example, you could fly Turkish Airlines to Turkey from North America and then take a separate short-haul flight to Europe, all in business class, starting at just 45,000 miles. You could also fly to anywhere in the Middle East on Turkish Airlines or its Star Alliance partners for just 32,000 miles in economy or 47,000 miles in business class each way, which is a great deal.
While this availability was limited and sometimes hard to find, it was one of the great redemption sweet spots to Europe, the Middle East and beyond. With Miles&Smiles also a transfer partner of both Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One miles, Turkish miles are very easy to earn and redeem and came with great redemption opportunities. This is about to change.
Related: Best Capital One credit cards of February 2024
The airline has published new award charts on its website, with the cheapest saver-level (called "Promotion Award Ticket") prices to Turkey increased from 30,000 and 45,000 miles (for economy and business, respectively) to 40,000 and 65,000 miles.
This might not seem like a substantial increase (and it is admittedly still fair compared with other programs' rates), but another unwelcome change is that connections will now be priced separately.
This means that for redemptions to Europe via Istanbul Airport (IST), rather than the previously attractive rate of 30,000 or 45,000 miles, you will now need 50,000 to 55,000 miles in economy and 85,000 to 90,000 miles in business class, depending on where in Europe you wish to travel to (the program splits Europe into two zones for redemptions).
Redemptions on Star Alliance carriers such as United Airlines, Air Canada and Lufthansa (excluding Turkish Airlines) now have a separate award chart, with the same new pricing for redemptions from North America to Europe (up to 90,000 miles in business class).
Domestic flights within North America flying United will increase from 10,000 to 15,000 miles each way.
Right now, we can still find awards at the previous prices in search results (such as the excellent 45,000-mile price to Europe), and Turkish has said that these prices will remain through Feb. 15. If you plan to book a Miles&Smiles redemption, we recommend doing so as soon as possible.
Bottom line
Miles&Smiles was once one of the best ways to redeem Citi points and Capital One miles, and while devaluations are an unfortunate reality of the loyalty industry, these increases will make Turkish miles less attractive in the future.
To its credit, Turkish Airlines has given at least seven days' notice of the increase, which will allow Miles&Smiles members to transfer miles to the program and book redemptions at the existing rates.
After Feb. 15, if you are flying to Turkey, the new rates of 40,000 miles in economy and 65,000 miles in business class are still a decent deal, though if you are planning to connect to a flight in Europe, you may wish to look at other programs for a lower overall redemption cost.
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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. |
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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.