How To Book Turkish Airlines With Points Like A Pro

Booking a flight with Turkish Airlines using points can save you a lot of money while allowing you to enjoy premium travel experiences. If you’re a member of Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles loyalty program, you can redeem your miles for award tickets, upgrades, and more. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of booking Turkish Airlines with points and maximizing their value.

Understanding the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Program

What is Miles&Smiles?

Miles&Smiles is Turkish Airlines’ frequent flyer program that rewards passengers with miles for flights, purchases, and partnerships. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits.

Types of Miles

• Status Miles: Used to determine your membership tier (Classic, Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus).
• Award Miles: Redeemable for free flights, cabin upgrades, and other travel perks.

How to Earn Miles

• Flying with Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners.
• Using co-branded credit cards.
• Booking hotels, car rentals, and shopping through program partners.

Checking Your Miles Balance and Eligibility

Before booking your flight with points, check your available miles to ensure you have enough for a redemption.

Steps to Check Your Miles Balance

1. Log in to your Turkish Airlines booking account.
2. Navigate to the Miles&Smiles dashboard.
3. Review your available miles and their expiration dates.
4. Confirm whether you have sufficient miles for your desired flight.

Finding Award Seat Availability

Since award tickets have limited availability, it’s best to plan and search in advance.

Steps to Check Availability

• Visit the Turkish Airlines website and enter your travel details.
• Select the “Award Ticket” option to see available flights.
• Compare different dates for better redemption options.
• Use tools like ExpertFlyer or Star Alliance search engines for alternative options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Turkish Airlines with Points

Access Your Account

• Go to the Turkish Airlines manage booking section.
• Log in to your Miles&Smiles account.

Select Award Ticket Booking

• Choose the “Buy a Ticket with Miles” option.
• Enter your origin, destination, and preferred travel dates.

Choose Your Flight

• Browse available flights in Economy, Business, or First Class.
• Compare mileage costs and seat availability.

Confirm Your Booking

• Review your selection.
• Pay applicable taxes and fees.
• Finalize your award ticket reservation.

Maximizing Your Miles for the Best Value

To get the most out of your miles, consider these strategies:

• Leverage Stopovers in Istanbul: Turkish Airlines offers free hotel stays for long layovers in Istanbul.
• Upgrade to Business Class: Redeeming miles for Business Class provides better value than Economy.
• Use Star Alliance Partners: If Turkish Airlines award flights are unavailable, check with partner airlines for redemptions.

Managing and Modifying Your Award Booking

Once you’ve booked your flight, you may need to make changes.

How to Modify Your Award Ticket

• Log in to Turkish Airlines manage booking.
• Select the flight you want to change.
• Pay any applicable rebooking fees.

Cancellation Policy

• Award tickets can usually be canceled with a refund of miles.
• Taxes and fees may not be refundable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking with Miles

• Not Checking Blackout Dates: Some dates have limited availability for award tickets.
• Ignoring Transfer Partner Options: Transferring miles from credit card programs can increase your balance.
• Forgetting Taxes and Fees: While miles cover ticket costs, taxes and fees must still be paid.

Conclusion

Booking Turkish Airlines with points is a smart way to travel affordably and luxuriously. By following these steps and maximizing your miles, you can enjoy an amazing journey at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re flying Economy or Business Class, using your Miles&Smiles points effectively will enhance your travel experience. Start planning today and make the most of your rewards!

Also Read: How to Fix Your Name on a Turkish Airways Ticket

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

1. Can I use Miles&Smiles points to pay for taxes and fees on award tickets?

No, Miles&Smiles points can only be used to cover the base fare of award tickets. Taxes, surcharges, and additional fees must be paid separately in cash or with a credit card.

2. How many miles do I need for a free Turkish Airlines flight?

The number of miles required depends on the destination, travel class, and availability. For example, a one-way Economy Class ticket within Europe starts at 10,000 miles, while long-haul Business Class flights can require 45,000+ miles.

3. Can I upgrade my Turkish Airlines ticket using Miles&Smiles points?

Yes, you can use Miles&Smiles points to upgrade from Economy to Business Class, depending on seat availability. Upgrades can be done online via the Turkish Airlines manage booking portal or at the airport.

4. Do Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles points expire?

Yes, Miles&Smiles points expire after 36 months if not used. However, Turkish Airlines allows you to extend expired miles for an additional fee.

5. Can I transfer my miles to another person?

Yes, Miles&Smiles allows you to transfer miles to another member, but fees may apply.

6. How long do Miles&Smiles points take to expire?

Miles expire after 36 months if unused.

7. Are there any extra fees when booking Turkish Airlines with points?

Yes, award tickets still require payment of taxes and surcharges. Read more blogs: