It seems that you need a degree to understand these programs. Let me explain.

I have some Miles and Smiles bonus points from Turkish airways, about 16,000 air miles (the actual flights are a total of over 20,000 miles, so how this is figured who knows?). I was given at Turkish airways office in Manchester a phone number to call when I reach 20,000 miles. But it (0207 471 6666) seems to be permanently engaged. So that's gotten nowhere.

Last time, I flew by Lufthansa instead on a similar route. I was told by Lufthansa at Manchester that in some unspecified way, I can link their own Miles and More miles program to the miles I already have on Smiles and Miles. But how this Miles and More program works, and how it links to Smiles and Smiles, is a complete mystery and they never explained the system.

Is there anyone who can go through this stuff at this very basic level? Please do not direct me to the official Turkish airways website. That site is baffling to understand and I am not the only one who says so. The staff at the airport say they have many other complaints about how difficicult it is to fathom. So please don't tell me to go there!