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5 Things to Know About the Turkish Airlines Credit Card

Back to libraryUnknown authorApr 4, 2026
5 Things to Know About the Turkish Airlines Credit Card

5 Things to Know About the Turkish Airlines Credit Card

The card’s annual fee is steep considering it offers few perks to offset that cost.

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As a company, Turkish Airlines has much to boast about: It flies to the most countries, 129, of any airline in the world. It’s surprising, then, that the Turkish Airlines credit card is a lackluster product. The card launched relatively recently, in July 2024, so it’s possible it could be revamped with better features over time — but for now, most travelers will find more value in another airline or general travel credit card. Here are five things to know about the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature, issued by First Electronic Bank in partnership with financial technology company Imprint.

1. It's seriously lacking in perks

NerdWallet rating Apply now Apply now Read Review Despite its $99 annual fee, the Turkish Airlines card delivers very little in the way of travel perks. At that price point, one might expect benefits such as a free checked bag, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, lounge access, early boarding or elevated status within Miles&Smiles, which is Turkish Airlines’ frequent flyer program. The Turkish Airlines card offers exactly none of these. If you’re willing to pay an annual fee, there are plenty of superior options to the Turkish Airlines card. Consider the value of the United℠ Explorer Card. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $150. United Explorer cardholders get free checked bags for themselves and a companion, two lounge passes per year, trip insurance and 25% back on in-flight purchases. United℠ Explorer Card $0 intro for the first year, then $150 » MORE: Best airline credit cards » MORE:

2. The sign-up bonus can be valuable

New Turkish Airlines cardholders can get 40,000 miles after spending $3,000 within 90 days of opening an account. NerdWallet values Turkish Airlines miles at 0.7 cent each, so the sign-up bonus is worth about $280. However, it may be possible to get even more value out of each mile, especially for last-minute bookings. 0.7 cent Earning those 40,000 bonus miles would also elevate you into elite status within the Miles&Smiles loyalty program, the second-highest tier. But as noted earlier, simply having the Turkish Airlines card doesn’t automatically grant you status; you need to spend your way there. That’s not the case with other airline cards.

3. It earns rewards on flights, everyday spending

The card earns: Unlimited 3x miles on Turkish Airlines flights and purchases. Unlimited 2x miles on dining, groceries, entertainment and lodging. Unlimited 1x miles on everything else. Miles expire three years after they’re earned.

4. Redemption options include travel and travel add-ons

Miles earned with the Turkish Airlines card may be redeemed for the following: Award tickets. In-flight service. Cabin upgrades. Extra bags. Goods from Shop&Miles, Turkish Airlines’ shopping portal. Services from Turkish Airlines’ program partners. Access to select airport lounges. Because Turkish Airlines belongs to the Star Alliance, any miles earned with the credit card may be used to book flights on more than two-dozen airlines. » SEE: How to search and book amazing Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles awards » SEE:

5. You don’t need the card to book award flights

It’s possible you already have a card in your wallet that can help you book award flights on Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines is a transfer partner for Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points and Bilt Rewards, so those credit card programs’ proprietary currencies can be converted into Turkish Airlines miles. Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the author Jae Bratton Jae is a writer for the credit cards team at NerdWallet. Her writing has been published in newspapers, blogs and an academic journal.  See full bio. Limited Time Only: Earn $1,000 Toward Travel! Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Travel NerdWallet rating 4.7 For a limited time, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering new cardholders an especially rich bonus: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel! Read full review

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