Garanti BBVA and Turkish Airlines Mark 25 Years of Partnership with the Miles&Smiles Garanti BBVA Diamond Limited Edition Credit Card
Garanti BBVA and Turkish Airlines are celebrating their 25-year alliance with the launch of the Miles&Smiles Garanti BBVA Diamond Limited Edition credit card. Made from an actual component removed during maintenance of a Turkish Airlines Airbus A321neo aircraft still in active service, the card is the first credit card in Türkiye to be produced from an aircraft part. Only 3,879 cards will be issued, a figure obtained by adding together both companies’ founding years.
In a first for Türkiye, Garanti BBVA and Turkish Airlines have transformed a component from an Airbus A321neo (TC-LTL) into a limited-edition credit card, bringing together the worlds of aviation and payments in a unique and inventive way.
The production run of 3,879 cards was inspired by the sum of Garanti BBVA’s founding year, 1946, and Turkish Airlines’ founding year, 1933. Carrying a piece of an aircraft that has logged thousands of hours in the sky, the card serves as both a tangible reminder of travel and a symbol of the two companies’ shared vision.
Commenting on the launch, Mahmut Akten, Country manager of Garanti BBVA, said: “The Miles&Smiles story began 25 years ago with an innovative idea that brought together travel and payments. Today, the Garanti BBVA Miles&Smiles family includes 675,000 customers and more than 1.3 million cards, while we have awarded over 178 billion miles. These figures reflect the role we play in our customers’ lives.
According to the bank’s country manager, people now expect more than a payment tool—they want experiences that simplify their lives and create value. This limited-edition card reflects that vision, while giving a piece of an aircraft that has been part of thousands of journeys a new purpose. He is confident that this partnership between the bank and the airline will continue creating value for millions of clients in the years ahead.
Ahmet Olmuştur, CEO of Turkish Airlines, added: “Our 25-year partnership with Garanti BBVA has grown into a strong ecosystem that enhances the travel experience of millions of guests. This limited-edition card reflects the innovative spirit of our collaboration while giving part of our fleet a new life. We look forward to continuing to deliver exclusive experiences for our passengers together.”
The Airbus A321neo (TC-LTL) used in the production of the card remains in active service within the Turkish Airlines fleet. To date, the aircraft has logged more than 11,142 flight hours and completed 3,685 takeoffs and landings. Having connected travelers across