Summary Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program hit 20 million users and is known for its benefits and partnerships. The program offers unlimited free WiFi and award tickets, with status miles for elite tiers. Expansion continues with over 296 international destinations, focusing on new routes and features.
The airline that famously flies flies to more countries than any other has announced a significant milestone. The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles loyalty program has officially reached 20 million users. Steady growth and solid returns The airline's frequent program is now 35 years old, having launched in 1989.
The offering was rebranded to the current Miles&Smiles name in 2000, eight years before the carrier joined the Star Alliance . Love learning about points and miles? Read more of our loyalty news and guides here . The program is now widely known for the benefits it offers members, including free WiFi on flights and reasonable award redemption opportunities on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member flights.
Points can also be across a wide range of partners (Miles&Smiles has partnerships with over 300 brands globally, including Booking.com, Marriot, Enterprise, Apple, Ikea, Sephora, and Ticketmaster) or on additional charges, including cabin upgrades, extra baggage, and seat selections. Turkish Airlines has also announced it will offer unlimited free Wi-Fi onboard to all customers by the end of next year.
According to the airline, Miles&Smiles has issued over 20 million award tickets since its inception. In a statement celebrating the news, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Ahmet Bolat expressed their excitement for the program to reach this level of membership: "Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do. Reaching 20 million members is a momentous milestone, reflecting not only our commitment to being a dynamic and authentic lifestyle brand but also the trust and loyalty our members have shown us over the years.
"We will continue enhancing our guests’ travel experience, and as we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to introducing even more innovative features and rewards to the Miles&Smiles programme in the future." The program is one of the few that allows passengers to purchase status miles , making it easier to reach an elite tier within the Star Alliance. More destinations, more members Already known for the number of destinations it serves, Turkish Airlines continues to open new routes worldwide.
As of this summer, the airline operates 296 international destinations in 130 countries, providing 52,000 connection options, primarily through its hub at Istanbul Airport (IST). Get all the latest airline route news right here. In its latest investor release, the airline outlined the routes it wants to serve next .
In terms of European routes, the airline is looking to add Bergen, Norway (BGO); Katowice, Poland (KTW); Nantes, France (NTW); Iasi (IAS) and Timisoara (TSR) in Romania; The Scottish city of Glasgow (GLA): and Newcastle (NCL) in the North of England. Where do you think it wants to fly? The carrier is looking to add Bayburt and Yozgat domestically. Other Middle Eastern destinations on the shortlist include Abha (AHB) in Saudi Arabia, Salalah (SLL) in Oman, and Mitiga International Airport (MJI) in Tripoli, Libya.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today. Further afield, the carrier is also looking to offer services to Aswan (ASW), Egypt; Brazzaville (BZV), Republic of Congo; Hargeisa (HGA) Somaliland; Lome (LFW), Togo; Monrovia (ROB), Liberia, Port Sudan (PZU), Sudan; and Windhoek (WHD), Namibia. Across Asia and Oceania, the dream destinations are Sydney (SYD), Australia; Phnom Penh (PHN), Cambodia; and Atyrau (GUW), Kazakhstan, which is home to the lowest commercial airport in the world.
Across South America, Lima (LIM), Peru; Santiago (SCL), Chile; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (no airport specified) made the list. In the United States, Turkish Airlines has only highlighted Orlando (MCO) for future service but has been expanding significantly in the US in recent months. The carrier will operate over 150 weekly roundtrips to the US this summer.
The airline even launched a cobranded credit card in the US. The Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature Credit Card is offered in partnership with First Electonic Bank, and it even comes with a limited-edition metal card for the first applicants. The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature Credit Card provides a way for frequent flyers in the US to earn extra miles with no foreign transaction fees.
$99 40,000 Miles 3X Miles on Turkish Airlines purchases 2X Miles on dining, groceries, entertainment, and lodging 1X Mile on everything else Visa Signature benefits, including travel discounts and unique experiences..
