Turkish Airlines Raises Miles&Smiles Business Class Upgrades to 90,000 Miles From EcoFly

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles now prices business class upgrades by fare type. As of September 24, 2026, upgrading an EcoFly economy ticket to business class between North America and Türkiye costs 90,000 miles one way, while an upgrade from any other economy fare package costs 65,000 miles. The same split applies to the Far East.

If you fly Turkish Airlines from the U.S. and plan to upgrade with miles, the fare you buy now decides the price. A cheap EcoFly ticket carries a 25,000-mile penalty at upgrade time, and a business class award ticket at 135,000 miles one way may be the better comparison.

The New Miles&Smiles Upgrade Chart

Turkish Airlines publishes two upgrade prices per region, one for EcoFly and one for every other economy package. Prices are one way, for flights to or from Türkiye, and only on flights operated by Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles upgrade prices to business class, one way to or from Türkiye, as of September 24, 2026
Region	From EcoFly	From other economy packages
North America	90,000 miles	65,000 miles
Far East	90,000 miles	65,000 miles
South America	80,000 miles	75,000 miles
Oceania	110,000 miles	100,000 miles
Europe 1	22,000 miles	20,000 miles
Within Türkiye	12,000 miles	10,000 miles

What Changed for Flights From the U.S.

Under the previous rule, the price for North America depended on timing rather than fare. An upgrade confirmed more than 72 hours before departure cost 65,000 miles, and one confirmed within 72 hours cost 90,000 miles.

The numbers themselves did not move for North America. What moved is the trigger:

EcoFly ticket: 90,000 miles, even if you upgrade months in advance
Other economy packages: 65,000 miles, even if you upgrade close to departure
Far East, EcoFly: 90,000 miles, up from 65,000, an increase of about 38%

So a traveler who booked EcoFly and upgraded early lost the 65,000-mile price. A traveler on a more flexible economy fare who waited until the last days before departure gained from the change.

Upgrade or Book a Business Class Award?

A standard Turkish Airlines business class award between Türkiye and North America costs 135,000 miles one way. That gives you three ways to reach the same seat:

EcoFly fare plus upgrade: the cash fare plus 90,000 miles
Other economy fare plus upgrade: the cash fare plus 65,000 miles
Business class award: 135,000 miles plus taxes and fees, no cash fare

The upgrade saves 45,000 to 70,000 miles against a full award, but you pay for the economy ticket first. Price the EcoFly fare against the next economy package up: if the cash difference is small, the cheaper upgrade usually wins.

Turkish Airlines also sells promotion award tickets at 65,000 miles in business class to North America when seats are available. When one appears on your date, it beats both upgrade routes.

Rules That Still Apply

The upgrade conditions on the Miles&Smiles business upgrade page did not change with the new chart.

All members qualify: any Miles&Smiles member can upgrade a paid or an award ticket with miles
Turkish-operated flights only: codeshares operated by other airlines are excluded
24-hour deadline: the upgrade must be done at least 24 hours before departure, on the website or the app
Eligible fares only: upgrades work only into certain business class fare classes
Upgraded perks: baggage allowance and lounge access follow the business class cabin
Miles earned: a paid ticket still earns miles at its original economy fare class

How to Earn Miles&Smiles Miles in the U.S.

Most U.S. members build a Miles&Smiles balance through transferable bank points rather than flying. If you hold Citi ThankYou points, look at our coverage of the past Citi transfer bonus to Turkish Airlines, and check the current transfer bonuses before you move points, since a bonus lowers the real cost of a 65,000 or 90,000-mile upgrade.

Transfers are one way and usually final. Confirm upgrade space on your flight before you transfer anything.

If you compare Turkish with U.S. carriers, our guide to upgrade certificates on American, Delta and United explains how those programs price the same move from economy to business.

Bottom Line

Buy the right economy fare before you think about upgrading. From the U.S., an EcoFly ticket now costs 90,000 miles to upgrade to business class, and every other economy package costs 65,000 miles, regardless of timing. Run the numbers against a 135,000-mile business class award, request the upgrade at least 24 hours before departure, and transfer points only once the upgrade is confirmed available.

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How many miles does a Turkish Airlines business class upgrade cost from the U.S.?

It costs 90,000 Miles&Smiles miles one way from an EcoFly ticket and 65,000 miles from any other economy fare package, between North America and Türkiye. Those prices apply as of September 24, 2026.

What is EcoFly on Turkish Airlines?

EcoFly is one of the economy fare packages Turkish Airlines sells. Since the chart change, it is the package with the highest upgrade price: 90,000 miles to business class from North America, 25,000 more than other economy packages.

Does it still matter how early I request the upgrade?

Not for the price. The old North America rule charged 65,000 miles more than 72 hours out and 90,000 miles closer in; the price now depends only on your fare package. You still have to complete the upgrade at least 24 hours before departure.

Is upgrading cheaper than booking a business class award?

In miles, yes. A Turkish Airlines business class award between Türkiye and North America costs 135,000 miles one way, against 65,000 or 90,000 miles for an upgrade. But an upgrade also requires paying for the economy ticket, so compare the full cost.

Can I upgrade a Turkish Airlines award ticket with miles?

Yes. Miles&Smiles allows upgrades with miles on both paid tickets and award tickets, as long as the flight is operated by Turkish Airlines and the upgrade is done at least 24 hours before departure.

Do I keep lounge access and extra baggage after an upgrade?

Yes. After an upgrade with miles, the baggage allowance and lounge access of business class apply. On a paid ticket, you still earn miles based on the original economy fare class.

Can I upgrade a Turkish codeshare flight operated by another airline?

No. Miles&Smiles upgrades with miles only work on flights operated by Turkish Airlines. For Star Alliance partner flights, the separate Star Alliance Upgrade Award applies, and on Turkish flights it requires a Y or B economy fare.