Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa: Up to 40,000 Bonus Miles

If you've been dreaming of a trip to Istanbul or anywhere Turkish Airlines flies, this new card might be your ticket. The Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature card is offering a solid welcome bonus that could get you pretty close to a free flight. Let's break down what you need to know.

The Bonus Structure: Two Tiers to Hit

This isn't your typical one-and-done bonus. You get two chances to earn miles, which is nice if you can't drop a ton of cash right away. First, spend $2,000 in the first 90 days and you'll get 25,000 bonus miles. That's the easy part. Then, if you hit that first bonus, you unlock a second tier: spend an additional $6,000 (for a total of $8,000) within the first year, and you'll get another 15,000 miles. So total potential is 40,000 bonus miles.

Turkish Airlines says those 40,000 miles could be enough for a free round-trip from the US to Istanbul, but keep in mind award seat availability varies. You'll also have to pay taxes and fees out of pocket. Still, it's a solid start for a travel rewards stash.

What You Earn on Every Purchase

The card's earning structure is pretty straightforward for a co-branded airline card. You get 3X miles on Turkish Airlines flights and any purchases made directly through Turkish Airlines channels (their website, app, call centers, or sales offices). That's a nice boost if you fly them regularly. For everyday spending, you'll earn 2X miles on dining, groceries, entertainment, and lodging. Everything else gets 1X mile.

One thing to watch: the 3X category only applies to purchases made through Turkish Airlines' own channels, not through third-party booking sites. So if you book through Expedia or a travel agent, you'll only get 1X. Also, the 2X categories depend on merchant codes, so a grocery store that codes as a general merchandise store might not qualify. It's worth checking your first few statements.

Perks That Make Travel Smoother

Beyond the miles, this card comes with some nice travel perks. You get complimentary access to Turkish Airlines lounges worldwide, which is a huge plus if you're connecting through Istanbul. Priority check-in and boarding on Turkish Airlines flights to and from the US can save you time. There's also a status miles earner: for every $500 you spend in a statement cycle, you earn 125 status miles (up to 5,000 per year), which helps you reach elite status faster.

You also get standard Visa Signature benefits like concierge service, luxury hotel collection perks, and rental car privileges. And with no foreign transaction fees, it's a solid card to use abroad.

Things to Consider Before Applying

The $99 annual fee isn't waived, so make sure you'll get enough value from the bonus and perks to justify it. If you only fly Turkish Airlines once a year, the lounge access alone might be worth it, but do the math. Also, the bonus miles can take 8-12 weeks to post after you meet the spend requirements, so don't expect them instantly.

One more thing: the card is issued by First Electronic Bank through Imprint, which is a newer player in the card space. That means you might not have the same customer service infrastructure as with a Chase or Amex card. Read the fine print on the rewards terms and conditions before you commit.

Bottom Line

• Up to 40,000 bonus miles: 25,000 after $2,000 spend in 90 days, plus 15,000 after $6,000 total in first year
• $99 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
• 3X miles on Turkish Airlines purchases, 2X on dining/groceries/entertainment/lodging, 1X on everything else
• Complimentary lounge access, priority check-in/boarding, and status miles earning
• Soft pull to check eligibility; hard pull only if you accept

Common Questions