Earning Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles can unlock some amazing travel opportunities, from long-haul flights to unique award bookings. With the right credit card, you can quickly build up your miles balance, whether you’re a frequent international traveler or planning your first trip to Turkey (or elsewhere). While there aren’t Turkish-branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can still earn miles by transferring rewards from top cards. To make choosing easier, we update this page regularly with the best credit cards for earning Turkish Airline Miles and maximizing your point potential.
Best Cards for Earning Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
No cards on this list yet.
Which Card is Right for You?
Picking the best card for earning Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles comes down to how you plan to travel and earn. If you’re all about maximizing your mileage balance for international trips, a card from Bilt Rewards, Capital One, or Citi ThankYou with solid bonus categories like travel and dining could be the way to go. Casual travelers or those with a broader range of spending may find a more flexible rewards card suits them best, letting you transfer points when you're ready to book your trip!
Other Ways to Earn
In addition to earning through credit card rewards, you can build up your Miles&Smiles balance by flying Turkish Airlines or its Star Alliance partners, booking stays with partnered hotels, renting cars with certain companies, and shopping through the Turkish Airlines Shop&Miles platform. Pro tip: transferring points from hotel loyalty programs and taking advantage of promotions or limited-time offers can also give your miles balance a nice little boost.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Earn miles that can be redeemed for award flights on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partners
Turkish Airlines has excellent award availability and competitive redemption rates for business class
Flexible transfer options from major U.S. rewards programs like Bilt, Capital One, and Citi
Cons
Turkish Miles&Smiles can sometimes have complex booking rules
Best value is often found on long-haul flights, so those looking for domestic U.S. travel might not maximize their miles' worth
FAQs
Do transferred miles to Turkish Airlines expire?
Yes, Miles&Smiles miles typically expire after 36 months of inactivity, so it's important to use or refresh them before that period.
Are there any Turkish-branded credit cards in the U.S.?
No, Turkish Airlines doesn’t offer U.S.-branded credit cards. However, you can transfer points from Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt Rewards to Miles&Smiles at a 1:1 rate.
Is it worth transferring my points to Turkish Miles&Smiles?
Yes, especially if you’re planning long-haul or business class flights. Turkish Airlines often offers competitive award pricing and good availability for premium cabin redemptions.
Can I use Turkish Miles&Smiles for flights with other airlines?
Yes, Turkish Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, so you can use your miles for award flights on partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.
How do I check for award availability with Turkish Miles&Smiles?
You can check award availability by logging into your Miles&Smiles account on the Turkish Airlines website or by calling their customer service.
How long does it take to transfer points to Miles&Smiles?
Transfer times vary, but points from Citi ThankYou and Capital One usually take about 1-2 days to process. Bilt transfers may also process quickly, often within 24 hours.
Why Trust Daily Drop?
At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.
Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.
While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.
Read our full methodology for more information.
