Marriott Bonvoy
VS
Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines
Marriott Bonvoy vs Miles&Smiles: which loyalty program wins?
We score Marriott Bonvoy 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
Marriott Bonvoy is best for Saudi-based travelers, while Miles&Smiles is best for Frequent flyers.
Skip Marriott Bonvoy if Anyone wanting to earn through daily spend, and skip Miles&Smiles if Anyone who flies infrequently.
Overall rating
| Marriott Bonvoy | Miles&Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Earning | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Network | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Expiry | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
Earning structure
| Marriott Bonvoy | Members earn 10 base points per USD spent at most Marriott brands including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, W, Westin, Sheraton, Le Méridien, Renaissance, Autograph, Marriott, Courtyard, Aloft, and Four Points. Earnings drop to 5 points/USD at Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea, and Homes & Villas; 4 points/USD at StudioRes; and 2.5 points/USD at Marriott Executive Apartments. Elite tier members receive bonus points: Silver +10%, Gold +25%, Platinum +50%, Titanium and Ambassador +75%. Members can also earn through Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty car rentals and point purchases. | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Marriott Bonvoy | Points redeem for hotel stays at 9,000+ Marriott properties across 143 countries. Dynamic award pricing applies - costs shift based on cash rates and demand. The 5th Night Free benefit gives the lowest-value night free on redemptions of 5+ consecutive nights - Marriott's most valuable redemption perk. Free Night Awards (from credit cards or Annual Choice Benefits) can be topped off with up to 25,000 points (increased from 15,000 in March 2026). Transfer to 40+ airline partners at 3:1 ratio (typically 60,000 Bonvoy = 25,000 miles + 5,000 bonus). Other options include gift cards, merchandise, dining experiences via Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and instant redemptions for room credits. | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Marriott Bonvoy | Miles&Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 6 | 4 |
| Top tier | Ambassador Elite | Elite Plus |
| First-tier qualification | — | 25,000 points |
| Point expiry | 24 months inactivity (reset on earn) | 36 months |