Another sweet spot in the miles and points world has quietly been wiped out, this time by Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines Devalues Miles&Smiles Domestic Awards, Kills United Airlines Sweet Spot
Turkish Airlines has sharply increased the cost of domestic Star Alliance awards, including flights on United Airlines within the USA, which has been one of the only redemption sweet spots for the program. The changes apply to all one-way domestic itineraries within a single country and are particularly harsh for flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.
Previously, you could book any one-way domestic Star Alliance award for 10,000 miles in economy, 15,000 miles in business, or 20,000 miles in first class. Now the new domestic award rates are:
- Economy: 15,000 miles (up from 10,000)
- Business: 22,500 miles (up from 15,000)
- First: 30,000 miles (up from 20,000)
That represents a 50% increase across the board for domestic partner awards.
Even worse for U.S. travelers, Turkish has carved out Hawaii into a separate award zone with much higher pricing. Hawaii used to price at the same domestic rate as any other U.S. city. Now it has its own award chart:
- U.S. mainland to Hawaii in economy: 25,000 miles (up from 10,000)
- U.S. mainland to Hawaii in business: 40,000 miles (up from 15,000)
- U.S. mainland to Hawaii in first: 50,000 miles (up from 20,000) [though in theory only, since there is no first class service to Hawaii]
In practical terms, that is a 150% to 167% increase for Hawaii redemptions. What used to be one of the best ways to get to Hawaii on points is now just another overpriced option.
Years ago, this deal was even better. For many routes, you could book domestic United flights, including to Hawaii, for just 7,500 miles in economy or 12,500 miles in business each way. That increased to 10,000 and 15,000 miles after a prior devaluation. Now we are at 15,000 and 22,500 domestically and far higher for Hawaii.
This comes on top of a major Miles&Smiles devaluation in early 2024 that increased award pricing on Turkish-operated flights and introduced per-segment pricing. That earlier change gutted many of the longhaul sweet spots to Europe and beyond. What remained truly attractive were the inexpensive domestic awards on United, especially to and from Hawaii. Those are now gone.
> Read More: Massive Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Devaluation
Turkish miles are still transfer partners of Citi ThankYou, Capital One, and Bilt. In theory, that makes the program easy to access. In reality, the main remaining value is likely on Turkish-operated flights where saver award pricing still offers some bright spots, although those can carry hefty fuel surcharges…it’s a bad program that just got much worse.
The broader trend here is familiar. Points are easier than ever to earn through credit card bonuses and everyday spending. Airlines see that liability and respond by quietly raising award prices. The Turkish devaluation fits neatly into that pattern and, therefore, sadly, is not surprising. A chart changes on a website with no advance notice and years of “best redemption” guides become outdated overnight…that’s the reality of miles and points as we enter 2026.
CONCLUSION
Turkish Airlines has killed one of the most attractive Star Alliance sweet spots. Domestic awards on United now cost 50% more and flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii are up to 167% more expensive. For those who used Miles&Smiles to stretch their points on domestic United flights, this is a brutal blow and a reminder that award charts are always subject to change. If you still collect Turkish miles, focus on redemptions that remain competitive which is flying on Turkish nonstop flights. When a deal looks unusually generous, history suggests it will not last…points remain a depreciating asset.
Poor Mayor Adams…
> Read More: Here’s How Mayor Adams Could Have Flown Turkish Airlines Business Class Without Breaking The Law
Hat Tip: LoyaltyLobby
The real question: How will this affect Mayor Eric Adams upcoming travel plans for Easter Island via Istanbul.
If anyone should know about inflation, it’s Turkey. 70% a few years ago. Yikes.
For real, though, do not trust Turkish Airlines; it’s a state-run carrier, in an increasingly authoritarian country, all for the benefit of Erdogan, who plays with rhetoric (it’s ghoulish attempting to re-brand his country’s own name; reject that nonsense, folks, it’s still ‘Turkey’ in English) in order to consolidate power.
Free Ekrem İmamoğlu and let the Turkish people elect their own leaders. Sheesh.
And while they’re at it, Turkey should finally recognize their country’s genocide against Armenians and Greeks in the 1910s and 1920s…
And what does any of that have to do with points and miles?
You’re so boring…and annoying.
Enough of the sexual humor, or whatever it is, please.
Did you really get rid of Dave?
Yes, I did. Not for attacking me – I can take it – but for attacking him:
https://liveandletsfly.com/ups-2976-pilot/
It crossed a line.
I don’t want to ban you or anyone else, but please stick to the issues and treat others with respect. You can call their ideas stupid, but don’t call them stupid. We can debate without attacking.
How disappointing. I thought you were better than that. Apparently I was wrong.
Peace!
And peace to you as well…
Goodbye.
I think Matt made the right call on Dave, under those circumstances.
That said, even though I often disagreed with Dave, he actually usually engaged on-substance.
Chi, on the other hand, usually just does one-liner insults, which is just kinda lame.
As Immortan Joe says: ‘Mediocre.’
For once, no sexual insult; wild.
Pot calling the kettle black for you, of all people, to demand only ‘relevant’ points and miles commentary on here.
@1990 “For real, though, do not trust Turkish Airlines; it’s a state-run carrier, in an increasingly authoritarian country, all for the benefit of Erdogan, who plays with rhetoric (it’s ghoulish attempting to re-brand his country’s own name; reject that nonsense, folks, it’s still ‘Turkey’ in English) in order to consolidate power.
Free Ekrem İmamoğlu and let the Turkish people elect their own leaders. Sheesh.”
Says the guy who flies on the ME3+ airlines. Amazing.
Oh, if you’re that much of a purist, please, by all means, stay home, never travel. Such a ‘rebel.’
I’ve flown Turkish many times in the past; not interested anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. Hope others will, too.
Not a matter of being a purist, but a simple matter of consistency. Try not pretending you are pro-labor or anti-authoritarian.
Are you human? Perfection is not possible or the goal.
I’m very consistent on worker rights and consumer protections; realistically, we must work within the system to affect change (unless you want to take a more ‘extreme’ route, which I do not condone.)
So, what’s your position on anything, rebel? Or are you just a contrarian shill? Give us something to work with.