Status Match with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Turkish Airlines has announced an exclusive opportunity for Qantas Frequent Flyer elite members. For a limited time, Qantas Platinum One and Platinum card members can apply for a status match with Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles program, unlocking a world of benefits with Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance.

Turkish Airlines currently flies between Melbourne and Istanbul, with Sydney flights expected to begin by the end of the year. Now is a perfect time for Qantas top-tier frequent flyers to enjoy free airport lounge access, free inflight WiFi, seat selection, extra baggage and more with Turkish Airlines. Plus, access to hundreds of Star Alliance lounges and member benefits with partner airlines, including Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways and United Airlines.

Who is Eligible?

Turkish Airlines only offers their status match to the top tier of Qantas Frequent Flyers, specifically excluding Qantas Gold and below card holders. Qantas Platinum and Platinum One members can apply for a status match with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite tier.

How to Apply For a Status Match

To apply for the Turkish Airlines status match, Qantas Frequent Flyers must become a member of the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles program, a fast and free online process. Once you are logged into your Miles&Smiles account, visit the feedback page on Turkish Airlines’ website to start the status match application process.

Under the general feedback option, click the “Write Feedback” button, select the new feedback option, and then scroll down to the Miles&Smiles program category.

Clicking the membership process button will call up a page asking for your details, plus a text box where you can detail the nature of your feedback. In this case, your ‘feedback’ should be a short but respectful request for a status match to the Miles&Smiles Elite tier based on your current high-level status with a competing airline. It might also be helpful in this section to give some context as to why you are seeking this status match – for example, you could have many flights to and within Europe planned for the coming year.

Finally, you’ll need to provide supporting documentation such as –

• A scan or photocopy of the front and back of your frequent flyer membership card, clearly showing your name and your current status’ expiry date
• Your most recent activity statement with the competing airline
• A scan of your passport

Turnaround time from application to status match can take around two weeks, and Turkish Airlines may reply asking for more information. As with all status match promotions, this offer of free Miles&Smiles Elite status is made entirely at the discretion of Turkish Airlines, and its success can vary from one applicant to the next (for example, a request from one Qantas Platinum frequent flyer might be granted, while another declined).

Extending Your Turkish Airlines Status

If your application is successful, your Miles&Smiles account will be upgraded to the Elite tier for four months. To keep your Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance status for a full year, only one paid Turkish Airlines international flight within the initial four months. From there, keeping your Elite membership is easy by earning 15,000 miles on your account within a year. With Turkish Airlines flying from Australia to Istanbul and multiple Star Alliance airlines flying out of Australia, this is as simple as completing one Turkish Airlines business class round the world trip.

Member Benefits

Once you have reached the Elite level, the second-highest member level for Turkish Airlines, you will enjoy a range of inclusions and benefits such as meal preferences, seat selection, lounge access, extra baggage, and priority service at the airport.

Elite-level status with Turkish Airlines equates to Star Alliance Gold opening up a host of member-only benefits in airports worldwide from top airlines, including Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways and United Airlines.

Planning your next round the world trip? Get started by joining the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles program or take a look at our latest Turkish Airlines Round The World Airfare deals, or speak to one of our airfare specialists to book today.