ICSAB+
Saudi Alawwal Bank
VS
Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines
ICSAB+ vs Miles&Smiles: which loyalty program wins?
We score ICSAB+ and Miles&Smiles on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.
Verdict
ICSAB+ is best for Households paying SADAD and government bills, while Miles&Smiles is best for Frequent flyers.
Skip ICSAB+ if Heavy spenders on groceries, fuel, and restaurants, and skip Miles&Smiles if Anyone who flies infrequently.
Overall rating
| ICSAB+ | Miles&Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Earning | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 3.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Network | 4.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Expiry | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
Earning structure
| ICSAB+ | Members earn ICSAB+ points across a wide range of activities: credit card spend (7.5–12.5 points per 100 SAR domestic, 10–15 points international, depending on card type), Mada debit card spend (0.5 points domestic, 1 point international per 100 SAR), digital banking registration and activity (10–40 points), paperless statement enrollment (10–20 points), ITM and e-Desk services (10 points each), AQSAT installment plans (10–30 points), IPO enrollment (20–40 points), and personal/home finance applications (100–200 points). Digital payment behavior boosts earnings: contactless +5%, digital wallet +10%, online purchases +15%, recurring digital payments +20%. | |
|---|---|---|
| Miles&Smiles | Members earn both Status Miles (for tier qualification) and Award Miles (for redemption) on Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet flights - earning depends on flight distance, fare class, and elite status level. Earning extends to 25+ Star Alliance member carriers. Marriott Bonvoy transfer at 3:1 ratio. Choice Privileges transfer at 5:1 ratio. Status Miles can also be earned from 40 qualifying flights (Classic Plus only). Status upgrade purchases of 5,000-10,000 miles are available. No Saudi bank issues a Miles&Smiles co-branded credit card. |
Redemption structure
| ICSAB+ | Points redeem through six channels via SAB Mobile or SAB Online: Instant ICSAB+ Cash (1,000 points = 70 SAR, deposited to account or credit card instantly via app or within 3 working days, 200 SAR minimum), Pay with ICSAB+ for SADAD and government payments directly through SAB, E-vouchers at 150+ merchants (1,000 points = 100 SAR — the highest-value path), Online Travel (flights, hotels, car rentals booked directly through the ICSAB+ portal, 1,000-point minimum), Charitable donations to Ehsan or Joodeskan (500 points = 50 SAR, no upper limit), and Points Exchange transfers to airline, hotel, and telecom partner programs. Travel redemptions cannot be cancelled or refunded once confirmed. Most other redemptions are also non-refundable. Redemption requires accepting program T&Cs on first use | |
|---|---|---|
| Miles&Smiles | Award Miles redeem for flights on Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, all 25+ Star Alliance partners, and selected non-alliance partners. Award booking is straightforward online for Turkish flights and most Star Alliance partners; some partner awards require calling. Sweet spots remain after the 2024 devaluation: Turkish Business Class to Europe/US, domestic US partner flights at favorable rates (some destinations like Hawaii start from 10,000 miles), and premium-cabin Star Alliance partner redemptions. Cabin upgrades available on Turkish flights. Elite Plus members receive two complimentary cabin upgrades annually. Award changes incur fees varying by tier. Fuel surcharges apply on most premium-cabin partner redemptions. Members can supplement with mile purchases. |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| ICSAB+ | Miles&Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 0 | 4 |
| Top tier | — | Elite Plus |
| First-tier qualification | — | 25,000 points |
| Point expiry | 12 months | 36 months |