If you’re a Turkish Airlines loyalist, there’s a new cobranded credit card hitting the market for your consideration. Turkish Airlines has released its first credit card for the US market. The $99 annual fee Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Premier Visa Signature Credit Card is issued by First Electronic Bank and is open to US applicants only.
Applications are open now through July 10, and the first 5,000 approved customers will receive a special, limited-edition metal version of the card.
Previously, the only way to earn Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles with a credit card was to transfer from CTThankYou. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (See Rates and Fees) By cardholder or card that earns Capital One Miles, eg Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Check out the card details to help you decide if this card is right for you.
Information for the Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Premier Visa Signature Credit Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Premier Overview
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 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, grocery, entertainment and lodging and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other qualifying purchases. As a travel credit card, it does not charge foreign transaction fees.
As a Visa Signature card, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles comes with benefits like Premier Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Signature rental car privileges and other benefits.
Is Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Premier Worth It?
As a fan of Turkish Airlines, I’m happy to see the carrier introduce the card for the US market. Although the card earns bonus miles in several categories, it falls short of other airline-cobranded cards or cards that offer Turkish Airlines as a transfer partner.
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For example, Citi Strata Premier offers 3 points per dollar across several categories, including dining, groceries and hotels. Meanwhile, the Miles & Smiles Premier Card offers just 2 miles per dollar. In that regard you are better off spending on City Strata Premier and transferring your points to Turkish Airlines.
With the devaluation of Turkish Airlines On their award chart, some sweet spots like North America to Turkey for 45,000 points in business class one-way and 47,000 points in business class one-way to the Middle East have disappeared. Higher reward costs and surcharges for multi-segment travel will affect whether this card is worth it.
The card also lacks additional benefits and perks when flying Turkish Airlines, not to mention no benefits to help cardholders earn elite status with the airline and thus, Star Alliance.
RELATED: Post-Miles & Smiles Depreciation: Why I Use Aeroplan for Star Alliance Redemptions
Bottom line
The Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Premier Visa Signature Credit Card is the newest card in the marketplace. It’s great to see international airline carriers entering the world of credit cards for US applicants, as it increases competition. Although the card has low annual fees and decent earning rates, it lacks some perks. More Turkish Airlines-specific benefits such as upgrades, elite status or a path to statement credits could set this card apart, but for now it’s just average.