Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to earn Miles&Smiles status: tiers and benefits
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is the frequent flyer programme of Turkish Airlines, and it publishes four membership tiers — Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus — with the tier a member holds decided by Status Miles earned on flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. [2] [5]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Miles&Smiles names four tiers — Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus — and Status Miles are the measure used to decide which one a member holds. [2] [5]
- Status Miles are earned from flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. [2] [5]
- Status Miles cannot be redeemed or spent for any award; the separate Miles balance is what pays for award tickets, cabin upgrades, Cash&Miles and Shop&Miles. [2] [5]
- Miles are valid for three years. [2] [5]
What are the Miles&Smiles status tiers?
Turkish Airlines names four tiers in its Miles&Smiles programme: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus. [2] [5] Status Miles are the measure the programme uses to determine a member's status within those four levels. [2] [5]
Alongside the status ladder sits a spending currency that Turkish Airlines describes simply as Miles, which members collect and use for travel and partner products. [2] [5] The two balances behave differently, so it helps to read the tier names and the Miles balance as separate things rather than as one score. [2] [5]
For a side-by-side view of how airlines structure their tiers more generally, see status thresholds in major programmes.
How do you earn Status Miles?
Status Miles are earned from flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. [2] [5] That definition is narrower than the one the programme gives for ordinary Miles, which also come from flights operated by partner airlines, from spending on Miles&Smiles co-branded credit cards and through programme partners. [2] [5]
The flight itself is what generates Status Miles, and they have no spending use: Turkish Airlines states that Status Miles cannot be redeemed or spent for any award. [2] [5] Their role is to determine programme status, which is how a member lands in Classic, Classic Plus, Elite or Elite Plus. [2] [5]
Because credit card spending and partner purchases are listed as ways of earning Miles, they feed the spendable balance rather than the Status Miles that set tier level. [2] [5]
Miles vs Status Miles: what is the difference?
Miles&Smiles runs two balances with different jobs, and the programme keeps them apart. [2] [5]
| Feature | Miles | Status Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Earned from | Flights operated by Turkish Airlines or partner airlines, spending on Miles&Smiles co-branded credit cards, and programme partners [2] | Flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines [2] |
| Used for | Award tickets, cabin upgrades, Cash&Miles and Shop&Miles [5] | Determining programme status: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite or Elite Plus [5] |
| Redeemable for awards? | Yes — Miles are what award tickets and upgrades are issued with [5] | No — they cannot be redeemed or spent for any award [5] |
What can you do with Miles&Smiles Miles?
Turkish Airlines describes the Miles a member earns as bringing award tickets, in-flight service, cabin upgrades and extra baggage allowance, along with Shop&Miles and services from programme partners. [2] [5] Award tickets can be issued with Miles on Turkish Airlines and on partner airlines. [2] [5] Miles are also spent through Cash&Miles, through Shop&Miles and on products and services supplied by programme partners. [2] [5]
Miles are valid for three years. [2] [5] The practical steps for turning a balance into a seat are set out in how to book Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles awards.
What are the limits of Miles&Smiles status?
- Status Miles are not a currency. They cannot be redeemed or spent for any award, whatever balance a member holds. [2] [5]
- Earning sources differ. Status Miles are described as coming from flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines, while Miles are also described as coming from flights operated by partner airlines, co-branded credit card spending and programme partners. [2] [5]
- Miles run for three years. The programme states that Miles are valid for three years. [2] [5]
- Scope. This guide covers the rules Turkish Airlines publishes for its own programme. It does not cover the number of Status Miles needed for each tier, the earning rates individual Star Alliance carriers apply to their own flights, or the rules of any other frequent flyer programme.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Miles&Smiles status tiers?
Turkish Airlines publishes four tiers: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus, and Status Miles are what determine which one a member holds. [2] [5]
Can I earn Status Miles on Star Alliance flights?
Yes. Status Miles are earned from flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. [2] [5]
Can I spend Status Miles on an award ticket?
No. Status Miles cannot be redeemed or spent for any award; award tickets, upgrades, Cash&Miles and Shop&Miles are paid for with Miles. [2] [5]
How long do Miles&Smiles Miles last?
Turkish Airlines states that Miles are valid for three years. [2] [5]
Do credit card purchases count towards Status Miles?
Spending on Miles&Smiles co-branded credit cards is listed as a way of earning Miles, while Status Miles are described as coming from flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. [2] [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles only; other programmes, including United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Miles & More and Singapore KrisFlyer, are not covered here.
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles programme page (US site), checked 18 October 2026
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles programme page (international site), checked 18 October 2026