If you’re a loyal Turkish Airlines customer, there’s a new co-branded credit card to consider. Turkish Airlines has just launched its first credit card for the U.S. market. The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature credit card has an annual fee of $99 and is issued by First Electronic Bank and is available to U.S. applicants only.
The application period begins July 10, and the first 5,000 approved customers will receive an exclusive, limited-edition metal version of the card.
Previously, the only way to earn Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles with a credit card was to transfer them from Citi ThankYou as Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see prices and fees) cardholders or through Capital One Miles accrual cards, such as Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Check out the card details to help you decide if this card is right for you.
The information about 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.
Overview of Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier program
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 class 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 eligible purchases. As a travel credit card, this card does not charge a foreign transaction fee.
As a Visa Signature card, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier comes with benefits such as access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Signature Car Rental Benefits and more.
Is the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier program worth it?
As a fan of Turkish Airlines, I was excited to see the airline introduce a card for the US market. While the card does earn miles in some categories, it still lags behind other airline co-branded cards or cards that offer Turkish Airlines as a transfer partner.
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For example, the Citi Strata Premier offers 3 points per dollar across multiple categories, including dining, groceries, and hotels. Meanwhile, the Miles&Smiles Premier card only offers 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 devaluation their award boardSome of the hot spots, like North America to Türkiye for 45,000 points one-way business class and 47,000 points one-way business class to the Middle East, are gone. Higher award costs and added prices for multi-stop itineraries will impact whether this card is worth it.
This card also comes with no additional benefits and perks when flying with Turkish Airlines, not to mention no benefits that help cardholders achieve elite status with the airline and therefore Star Alliance.
Related: Miles&Smiles Discount: Why I Use Aeroplan to Redeem Star Alliance Awards
Last line
The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature credit card is the newest card on the market. It’s great to see international airlines entering the credit card world for US applicants, as it increases competition. While the card has a low annual fee and a decent rewards rate, it lacks some benefits. More specific Turkish Airlines benefits like upgrades, elite status paths, or statement credits could set this card apart, but for now it’s just average.
