Last year, I explained how to use Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles to book Star Alliance award tickets. Recently, I just did this again for the great redemption of 10,000 miles one way to Mexico (also available to Canada). However, I was given more fascinating information by the agent at the Houston Miles and Smiles office: a domestic one way Star Alliance flight only costs 7,500 miles. This was stunning news for me, as in the US this is 12,500 using United miles; Turkish is offering a 40% discount for the same redemption.

This redemption can actually be for any domestic Star Alliance award in the world, but the US is most notable for me since I live here. Within Turkey itself, the same award is only 3,750 miles one-way. Also, the change fee is only $25 and the refund fee $50.

I’ve heard grumbles from people about Turkish Airlines not offering a credit card in the US marketplace as well; then again, not having one is probably part of the reason the program is so generous. When lavish bonuses are handed out like candy, devaluation inevitably follows.

Turkish Airlines is a criminally underrated mileage program. I know that in the future I will be crediting most Star Alliance miles to Turkish to cash out on more valuable redemptions.