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Airline elite status comes with a variety of perks that can make flying more pleasant. Whether that's priority boarding and check-in, free checked bags, seat upgrades, or lounge access, holding elite status is something that many travelers aspire to.
But one of the biggest secrets to airline elite status is that you don't necessarily need it with the airline you're flying to enjoy those perks. Having elite status with a partner airline can be just as good — and in some cases, even better!
Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, so its Miles&Smiles elite status can give you perks when you are flying with other Star Alliance carriers, like United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and more.
Here's all you need to know about status matching to Turkish Airlines.
Status Match to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines offers four tiers of elite status: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus. For status matching, Elite is the tier to focus on because it comes with Star Alliance Gold benefits across the alliance's more than two dozen member airlines.
One particularly valuable perk for U.S.-based travelers is United Club access when flying United domestically.
Unlike some other hotel or airline programs, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles doesn't have a published status match page, so much of what we know about the process comes from StatusMatcher.com and traveler reports. Our own JT Genter got Turkish elite status as part of his 6 Continents, 2 Million Miles challenge.
There are plenty of success stories about matching into Miles&Smiles and picking up Turkish elite status, and the data points we've seen suggest the requirements to keep your status past the trial period are pretty reasonable.
How to status match to Turkish Airlines
You'll need to sign in to your Miles&Smiles account before submitting the request, so create an account first if you don't already have one. Once you're logged in, you can start the process.
Matching to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is a bit of a hassle. You'll want to apply for a status match by filling out the feedback form and choosing “Miles&Smiles program” and then “Other.”
In the feedback section of the form, let Turkish know why you're requesting a status match.
Recent successful reports indicate that Turkish may ask for:
- A copy of your physical or digital elite membership card.
- A statement or screenshot showing recent flight activity, generally covering the previous two months
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
Some recent applicants have also reported being asked to show activity in their Miles&Smiles account before their match was approved.
Response times vary, but some applicants report hearing back within a few hours, while others receive a response within several days.
Related: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Award Chart Sweet Spots
Tips for getting your Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles status match approved
If your match is approved, Turkish will inform you that status is yours for a four-month trial, but you can extend it for up to two years with qualifying activity. Based on some of the reports that we've seen, here are some tips for getting your Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles status match approved
- Make sure that you have a status that's equivalent to Elite. JT Genter found out that his Oneworld Sapphire wasn't considered equivalent to Star Alliance Gold.
- Be prepared to provide clear proof of your current elite status. In the same article, Katie Genter's match from
American Airlines AAdvantage - Include recent activity from the airline program you're matching from. Recent reports indicate Turkish may want to see activity from the previous two months.
- Keep your request concise and specific. Clearly state the airline program and elite tier you're matching from and that you're requesting a status match to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
How to extend your Miles&Smiles status
In the grand scheme of things, four months isn't that long. And surely, it's not enough time to enjoy everything Star Alliance Gold has to offer. Or maybe it is, depending on how often you travel internationally. But what's unique about this Turkish status match offer is that you can extend your status twice.
You can first extend your status for eight months, bringing your total to one year, by taking at least one international Turkish Airlines flight within the four-month trial period and crediting it to your Miles&Smiles account.
To extend your status for an additional year, you'll need to earn 15,000 Status Miles on Turkish Airlines flights during your first year of Elite status.
Depending on your fare class, you can earn a healthy number of Status Miles when flying Turkish, meaning the 15,000-Status-Mile requirement can reasonably be within reach if you plan to fly internationally with the airline — especially on a connecting long-haul itinerary. Unfortunately, partner flights don't count toward the challenge.
For reference, you can find the earning table below:
Even one or two long-haul international flights with Turkish Airlines might be enough to extend your Elite status for two years from the date of your status challenge, which could prove quite valuable if you frequently fly with Star Alliance.
Related: Do Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Miles Expire?
Final Thoughts
If you haven't landed on an elite status plan for this year, matching to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles could be a great option. Eligible status holders can pick up Turkish Airlines Elite status, which comes with Star Alliance Gold perks.
Even better, there's no cost to apply, and the requirements to keep your status beyond the initial trial period are fairly reasonable if you foresee yourself flying Turkish Airlines internationally.
