The Best Credit Cards That Earn Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Miles [March 2025]
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Earn Turkish Airlines Miles With Credit Cards
Before Turkish Airlines added transfer partners, the only realistic way for Americans to earn Turkish Airlines miles was by crediting flights on Star Alliance partners (such as United or Air Canada) to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
Due to the relatively easy criteria for Star Alliance Gold qualification, using Turkish Airlines to get there was valid. You only needed to be a Miles&Smiles Elite level to earn Star Alliance Gold.
To do this, you needed first to earn 40,000 Status miles within a year of membership. After that, you could renew your status by earning 30,000 Status miles in the first Elite year or 45,000 Status miles within 2 membership years.
Now, members can earn miles across 4 transferable points programs — Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.
1. Citi ThankYou Rewards Credit Cards
Using ThankYou Rewards is arguably the best and quickest way to earn a lot of Turkish Airlines miles. With a 1:1 transfer ratio, you could potentially even increase this ratio if you transfer ThankYou Points when transfer bonuses are being offered. For example, in January 2019, Citi offered a 25% transfer bonus to Turkish Airlines, which would bring the transfer ratio up to 1:1.25.
In order to accumulate Citi ThankYou Points, you’ll need to have one of its ThankYou Points-earning credit cards. It’s important to note, not all ThankYou Rewards credit cards are eligible for transfers to partners.
Recommended Citi Card
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
$1,200
$95
20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- $100 annual hotel benefit
Cons
- $95 annual fee
Card Highlights
- For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
- Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
- Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
2. Capital One Credit Cards
Miles&Smiles is a Capital One Miles transfer partner and the transfer ratio is 1:1. Transfers take up to 24 hours.
Recommended Capital One Cards
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
- $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
LIMITED TIME OFFER
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesApply Now(at Capital One's secure site)75,000 miles + $250 travel creditGood to Excellent Credit (670-850)
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
$1,600
$95
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
- Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Cons
- $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Limited elite benefits
Card Highlights
- Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
3. Bilt Rewards
Bilt Rewards points earned through the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card transfer to Miles&Smiles at a 1:1 ratio nearly instantly.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesU.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
No offer available
$0
See Rate & Fees
Why We Like This Card
Never before has there been a credit card built specifically with renters in mind. Enter the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card, designed specifically to help renters earn rewards on their rent payments with no transaction fees.
Of course, aside from rewards on rent, there are many other solid features that the card offers that add extra value to cardholders. In this guide, we provide a complete breakdown of everything the Bilt Card has to offer to help you decide whether the card makes sense for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 3x points per $1 at restaurants
- 2x points per $1 on travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies
- 1x point per $1 on rent payments, without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
Cons
- Does not offer a welcome bonus
- Must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
Card Highlights
- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earns 3x points on dining
- Earn 2x points on travel
- Earn 1x points on other purchases
- Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
- Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
- Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
- Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
- Select “Learn More” to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
Financial Snapshot
- APR: See Rate & Fees
- Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
4. Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Typically, Marriott Bonvoy has great sweet spots and there are better uses than transferring to Turkish Airlines, but it can be an option if you’re in a bind for Turkish Airlines miles.
As it does with most of its transfer partners, Marriott Bonvoy transfers points to Turkish Airlines at a 3:1 ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you’ll receive a bonus of 5,000 Turkish Airlines miles. That brings the transfer ratio up to 2.4 Marriott Bonvoy points per 1 Turkish Airlines mile.
With the recent revamp of Marriott Bonvoy’s loyalty program, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points from the co-branded credit cards from American Express and Chase.
5. Refer a Friend for Bonus Miles (Extra Option)
Chase and American Express both have excellent referral bonus structures for their Marriott Bonvoy cards.
With Chase, you’ll receive 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each approved referral, up to 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per year.
American Express allows you to refer your friends and family to credit cards you don’t even have! All you need to do is have an American Express-branded card such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card. Each American Express card has different referral structures and maximum referral points per year.
Capital One has a refer-a-friend program for its Venture cardholders. Referrals apply through a personal referral link and must be a new Capital One cardholder for you to earn bonus miles. To find your link, sign in to your account or look in the app for the Refer a Friend tile on the account details page.
Lastly, Citi has a referral program that was recently initiated, but you’ll need to have received an email or letter from Citi in order to refer friends, so it’s not currently available to everyone. You can earn 10,000 ThankYou Points per approved referral and a maximum of 50,000 ThankYou Points in a rolling year. Keep in mind you can only receive 5 referral bonuses per card per year with Citi.
6. Turkish Airlines Co-branded Credit Cards and Banking Partners
Outside of the U.S., Turkish Airlines offers co-branded credit cards and transferrable point options with various international banks:
- Axis Bank
- Banque Saudi Fransi
- CIMB
- CTBC Bank
- First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Garanti BBVA
- HDFC Bank
- HSBC
- Hyundai Card
- Inbursa
- INVESTBANK
- Isracard
- Kuveyt Türk
- Kuwait Finance House
- NBK
- PASHA Bank
- Standard Chartered
- QNB Finansbank
Earn Miles Through Travel
Although Turkish Airlines’ shopping partners are limited to shops in Türkiye, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are quite a few ways to earn miles through travel — even if you live in the U.S.
7. Airfare and Airline Purchases
Turkish Airlines is the most internationally connected airline in the world, making it a convenient airline for almost anywhere you want to go.
By flying on Turkish Airlines, you’re eligible to earn Turkish Airlines miles. You’ll even be able to earn miles when you pay for up to 50% of your paid fare with points using the Cash&Miles program.
8. Crediting Partner Airlines to Miles&Smiles
For those of you that don’t regularly fly on Turkish Airlines, rest assured you’re still able to earn Turkish Airlines miles by crediting partner flights to Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance partner, making it easy to earn miles with other Star Alliance airlines. In addition, you can also credit Azul, GOL, IndiGo, and Olympic flights to Turkish Airlines.
The Turkish Airlines website has more information about specific partner accrual rates.
Remember that you’re subject to the terms and conditions of both Miles&Smiles and the partner airline you’re flying on.
Specialty Earnings for Turkish Airlines Miles
Turkish Airlines miles are pretty valuable. If the above methods of earning Turkish Airlines miles don’t work for you, there are a couple of “specialty” ways to earn Turkish Airlines miles.
9. Buy Turkish Airlines Miles
Turkish Airlines sells miles at 3 cents per mile, and in 1,000-mile increments. You can purchase 1,000 miles for $30.
You can purchase up to 50,000 miles per calendar year.
Turkish Airlines rarely offers bonuses on purchased miles. In fact, 2014 was the last time it offered a bonus on purchased miles.
Earn Miles Through Shopping
10. Miles&Smiles Shopping and Living Partners
You can also earn Turkish Airlines miles through its shopping and living partners.
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| Partner | Miles Earned | Partner | Miles Earned |
| 7 miles per €1 spent | Park Funtastic | 2 miles per ₺1 spent | |
| 1 mile per €1/£1/¥10 spent | ParkVia | 5 miles per €1 spent | |
| 2 miles per ₺1 spent | 7 miles per $1 spent |
Final Thoughts
All in all, Turkish Airlines has been a traditionally difficult mileage currency to earn. However, with the advent of new transfer partners, it’s now easier than ever to earn Turkish Airlines miles.
Yes, you’ll need to pay fuel surcharges and go through some hoops to make award bookings using Turkish Airlines miles, but it’s often worth it to save some hard-earned miles for sweet spots.