Do Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Expire? 3-Year Hard Expiry

Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program, a member of the Star Alliance, offers access to a vast network and often provides good value redemptions. However, its miles are subject to a 'hard expiry' policy, similar to programs like Singapore KrisFlyer or ANA Mileage Club.

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Expiration Policy

Miles&Smiles have a fixed expiration date. Miles earned are valid for 36 months (three years) from the date they are processed and credited to your account. They expire at the end of the third calendar year following their earning date.

For example:

• Miles earned anytime in 2025 will expire on December 31, 2028.

Crucially, account activity does NOT extend the validity of Miles&Smiles. Earning more miles (e.g., by flying, transferring from partners like Bilt Rewards or Capital One Miles) or redeeming miles does not reset the 3-year clock on miles you've already earned. Each batch of miles has its own distinct lifespan tied to the calendar year it was earned.

This 'hard expiry' policy requires members to track when their miles were earned and plan redemptions before the deadline.

Keeping Track and Using Miles

Since activity doesn't prevent expiration, the only way to avoid losing Miles&Smiles is to redeem them before their specific 3-year expiration date.

• Check your Miles&Smiles account statement regularly. It should indicate the validity period of your miles.
• Plan your redemptions, such as booking award flights on Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners, well in advance of the miles' expiration. Miles&Smiles is particularly known for good value on domestic US flights operated by United via partner awards.

Extending and Reinstating Turkish Airlines Miles

Turkish Airlines provides options for extending or reinstating your miles, but both come with notable costs.

Extending the Validity of Miles

If your miles are close to expiring, you can pay to extend them. The fee is $20 per 1,000 miles, and the extension grants an additional three years of validity. Keep in mind that the same set of miles cannot be extended more than once.

Reinstating Expired Miles

If your miles have already expired, you can reinstate them through the Turkish Airlines website or mobile app. Reinstated miles are valid for three years but also cost $20 per 1,000 miles.

Official Policy

For the most accurate details and any potential nuances, always consult the official Miles&Smiles program documentation:

• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Terms and Conditions (Look for sections on mileage validity and expiration)

Boosting Your Turkish Airlines Mileage Balance

If you need more miles for an upcoming redemption, Turkish Airlines is well-supported by several transfer partners. This makes it possible to consolidate points from different programs into your Miles&Smiles account.

These transfer options make it relatively straightforward to top up your account, especially if you have small balances across multiple programs.

Redeeming Turkish Airlines Miles

As a Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines miles can be used for flights on its own network as well as with partners like United, Lufthansa, ANA, and many others. Some of the program’s best value “sweet spots” include:

• Domestic U.S. flights on United Airlines.
• Award flights between the U.S. and Europe at competitive redemption rates.

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite Status

Turkish Airlines’ loyalty program, Miles&Smiles, offers three elite membership tiers beyond the basic Classic level. Each tier unlocks progressively better benefits for frequent travelers, including lounge access, extra baggage, and upgrades.

Classic Plus

• Qualification: 25,000 status miles or 40 flights
• Benefits:
  • Priority check-in
  • Lounge access for domestic flights
  • 25% bonus status miles on business-class flights
  • Additional baggage allowance of 22 pounds

Elite

• Qualification: 40,000 status miles
• Benefits:
  • All Classic Plus perks
  • Dedicated phone support
  • Free standard seat selection
  • Lounge access for both domestic and international flights (with one guest)
  • Star Alliance Gold status
  • Additional baggage allowance of 44 pounds

Elite Plus

• Qualification: 80,000 status miles
• Benefits:
  • All Classic Plus and Elite perks
  • Two free cabin upgrades
  • Ability to gift an Elite card to up to three people
  • Guaranteed seat availability in certain cabin classes
  • Additional baggage allowance of 55 pounds

Status Validity

One of the standout features of Miles&Smiles is the two-year validity period for elite status once earned. This is longer than many other airline programs, which often only provide status for a single year.

While status miles are earned through flying, Turkish Airlines does not provide clear, detailed charts on how many status miles each flight earns, making it important for travelers to track their progress carefully.

Summary

Turkish Airlines allows you to extend or reinstate miles for a fee, but the program’s true strength lies in its strong transfer partner network and excellent redemption opportunities through Star Alliance. By managing expiration proactively and using transfer partners, you can ensure your miles are put to their best use.

Disclaimer: Program terms and conditions can change. This guide is for informational purposes only. Verify details directly with Turkish Airlines.