What happened
Turkish Airlines now charges 90,000 miles to upgrade an EcoFly ticket from Türkiye to the Far East or North America into business class, against 65,000 miles for ExtraFly and other economy fares. LoyaltyLobby reports the Miles&Smiles chart changed with no notice to members.
Every EcoFly upgrade now costs more miles. Most bands rose by a few thousand miles, and the Far East and North America EcoFly rate jumped 25,000 miles, a 38% increase. Previously every economy fare upgraded at the lower level. Miles still upgrade paid or award economy seats on Turkish Airlines metal only. Requests go through the website or by phone and must be finished at least 24 hours before departure. Award charts are essentially to and from Istanbul.
On New York to Istanbul, ExtraFly costs about $50 more than EcoFly and avoids the 25,000-mile surcharge on a route where economy awards start at 40,000 miles.
Book ExtraFly or a higher economy fare if a Turkish long-haul upgrade is likely, and finish the request at least 24 hours before departure.
- Numbers
- 38%: maximum upgrade-award increase
- 25,000 miles: EcoFly surcharge on Far East and North America upgrades
- 90,000 miles: EcoFly to business upgrade from Türkiye to Far East
- 65,000 miles: other economy to business upgrade from Türkiye to Far East
- 90,000 miles: EcoFly to business upgrade from Türkiye to North America
- 24 hours: latest time before departure to complete an upgrade
- $50: ExtraFly versus EcoFly fare gap cited on New York–Istanbul
- 40,000 miles: starting Turkish economy award from New York to Istanbul
- Where
- Türkiye, Istanbul, Far East, North America, New York (JFK)
- Who qualifies
- Miles&Smiles members upgrading economy to business on Turkish Airlines-operated flights
- Links
- Program page Turkish Airlines award tickets turkishairlines.com
- Takeaway
- If you might upgrade a Turkish long-haul, book ExtraFly or higher instead of EcoFly and finish the upgrade at least 24 hours before departure.