Turkish Airlines Holidays launches in the UK

Airlines, led by Jet2 in the UK, have had huge success in launching integrated package holiday operations.

There are a number of reasons why these businesses work well:

• technology allows accommodation to be sourced via third parties with no requirement to own hotels or even sign guaranteed volume agreements – Turkish is pulling its rooms from HBX (formerly Hotelbeds)

• the airlines bring a level of brand recognition and trust that has historically been missing from the package holiday sector (see many past news stories of tourists losing their holidays due to last minute bankruptcies)

• the airlines like the ability to quietly dump seats at discounted rates without the underlying fare being visible to the customer

• the airlines enjoy a healthy profit margin on the hotel element with zero capital investment – a major change from the economics of flying aircraft

Turkish Airlines Holidays rolled out globally this week – the website is here.

There are two launch deals on offer:

• all packages to Türkiye come with airport lounge access at both ends of your trip

• you will save up to £350 on bookings, with the discount based on total spend

The relevant discount codes are:

• HOLIDAYSNEW100 – £100 off when you spend £1,000 or more
• HOLIDAYSNEW200 – £200 off when you spend £2,000 or more
• HOLIDAYSNEW350 – £350 off when you spend £3,500 or more

Packages are available to over 60 countries with 550,000 hotels bookable. Members of the Miles&Smiles frequent flyer scheme will earn bonus miles on their package spending.

Not many people know that Turkish Airlines has the biggest network of any airline globally, serving 131 countries. It currently has 492 aircraft (the 9th biggest fleet globally) and will have over 800 by 2033 based on current orders.

There are multiple daily flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, plus two from Stansted flown under the low cost AJet brand. Turkish Airlines also flies from Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham.

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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (March 2025)

None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card. 

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.

There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.

The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review