If you fly through Lisbon even semi-regularly, you’ve probably wondered whether TAP’s loyalty scheme is a hidden win or another Star Alliance headache. This TAP Miles&Go review walks through how the programme works, how quickly you earn miles and status, and whether it deserves a place in your travel strategy. It’s a mix of strong earning potential, a few quirks, and some rules that genuinely stand out from its peers.
Points Earning Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
Miles&Go splits earnings into two types of miles: Status Miles for tier qualification and Bonus Miles for flight redemptions. On TAP metal, both are based on distance travelled and fare class. Economy Light earns modest returns, but Economy Plus, Executive and Top Executive climb sharply. Partner airlines follow percentage-based earning charts, so selecting the right fare code is crucial. Long-haul business flights generally deliver the biggest mileage haul.
How Easy Is It To Redeem Points For Flights?
Bonus Miles can be redeemed on TAP and Star Alliance partners, giving you widespread coverage, but award pricing isn’t the programme’s strongest feature. Long-haul business redemptions often cost more than rival schemes, and partner availability isn’t always consistent. TAP’s Miles + Cash option helps when you’re short of miles, but surcharges can creep up. TAP-operated redemptions tend to be more attainable, especially between Europe and North America.
Do Points Expire?
Most Bonus Miles expire after three years, while some promotional miles lapse after just one. Gold members escape this entirely, as their Bonus Miles remain valid as long as they hold Gold. TAP also sells a paid extension for another three years, though planning ahead is usually smarter than paying to rescue expired miles.
Introduction To The Status Tiers
Miles&Go keeps the ladder simple: Silver and Gold. Silver grants priority check-in, boarding, lounge access when flying TAP, and a 25% mileage bonus. Gold steps things up with a 50% bonus, extra baggage, global Star Alliance lounge access and a welcome companion ticket perk.
Tier Point Accrual Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
Silver requires either 30,000 Status Miles or 25 TAP-operated segments. Gold requires 70,000 Status Miles or 50 segments. Renewal thresholds drop to 20,000 and 50,000 respectively. A standout feature worth noting in this TAP Miles&Go review is the ability to convert Bonus Miles into Status Miles if you fall short.
Critically, you do not need to fly any TAP sectors to earn Gold, provided you qualify via Status Miles. You could, in theory, fly Lufthansa, United, Turkish or any Star Alliance partner all year and still reach Gold. TAP segments only matter if you’re qualifying through the segment route.
Approximate Cost And Travel Required To Reach Equivalent Star Alliance Gold status
TAP’s Gold threshold sits comfortably between the lighter-touch Aegean programme and the demanding Lufthansa system. A handful of long-haul business-class trips or a steady run of mid-haul journeys on TAP metal will get most travellers close.
Sweet-spot For Earning Status
If you’re chasing Gold, TAP metal offers the strongest returns across all fare types. Long-haul Executive and Top Executive deliver substantial Status Miles, while European multi-segment trips help segment collectors. Add in the ability to convert Bonus Miles into Status Miles and you’ve got one of the more flexible qualification systems in Star Alliance. This TAP Miles&Go review wouldn’t be complete without a look at what it takes in practice:
| Cabin / Fare Type | Approx Status Miles Per One-Way | Flights to Reach 70,000 Status Miles | Notes |
| Long-haul Business (Executive / Top Executive) | 8,000–10,000 | 7–9 | Most efficient path to Gold |
| Long-haul Economy Plus / Classic | 3,000–5,000 | 14–23 | Solid value if business fares are too steep |
| Short-haul Business (Europe) | 1,000–2,000 | 35–70 | Works best when combined with segment qualification |
| Short-haul Economy | 250–500 | 140–280 | Not viable for mileage-only qualification |
| Segment Qualification | — | 50 TAP segments | Ideal for frequent Lisbon/Porto connectors |
Overall Quality Of The Lounges And Cabin Products
TAP’s Lisbon lounges are comfortable, bright, and practical, with a decent food selection and plenty of space, but they don’t compete with the top Star Alliance hubs. Onboard, TAP’s A330neo business class is modern and comfortable, while short-haul business is the standard European layout.
BG1 Verdict
For travellers who route through Portugal or mix TAP with wider Star Alliance flying, Miles&Go can deliver good value. Strong earning rates, simple tier rules and the conversion perk make it flexible, though redemption pricing sometimes lags behind the competition. For this TAP Miles&Go review, the verdict is clear: great if you fly TAP often, workable if you rely on partners, and worth considering if you want a balanced path to Star Alliance Gold.
Where Can I Sign-Up?
You can join TAP Miles&Go here:
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