Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - Connection Time in IST and Baggage Allowance

Hey folks,

Sorry if this has been brought up before, but tried searching and answers varied widely so thought I would pose the following questions.

We (two of us) are flying CAI-IST-EWR at the end of August. Taking TK from CAI on TK691 departing at 8:55AM that arrives at 12:05PM and connecting to UA905 departing at 1:55PM (1hr50min connection time). Traveling in business on both legs and I am Star Gold as well.

Two questions for the TK experts here:

1) Is 1hr50min enough time to connect in IST? If not the alternative is taking TK693 that arrives at 6:10AM but that will mean an over 7Hr connection time (not to mention a 2:55AM departure time from CAI).

2) Just confirming that our free baggage allowance is 2 bags at 32KG each per person (plus an additional free bag on top of that as a Star Gold) for a total of 5 bags?

Thanks!

Hey folks,

Sorry if this has been brought up before, but tried searching and answers varied widely so thought I would pose the following questions.

We (two of us) are flying CAI-IST-EWR at the end of August. Taking TK from CAI on TK691 departing at 8:55AM that arrives at 12:05PM and connecting to UA905 departing at 1:55PM (1hr50min connection time). Traveling in business on both legs and I am Star Gold as well.

Two questions for the TK experts here:

1) Is 1hr50min enough time to connect in IST? If not the alternative is taking TK693 that arrives at 6:10AM but that will mean an over 7Hr connection time (not to mention a 2:55AM departure time from CAI).

2) Just confirming that our free baggage allowance is 2 bags at 32KG each per person (plus an additional free bag on top of that as a Star Gold) for a total of 5 bags?

Thanks!

Well, after reading this forum for the past few days I have decided to change to the earlier 2:55AM departure. While spending over 7 hours on a connection isn't something I am fond of I have no desire to miss my transatlantic connection. The on time track record of TK 691 is abysmal (i researched it), the horror stories about congestion at IST does not make me feel any better, and the new move to open gate security just tells me that I am playing with fire on a 110 minute connection.

Rather spend almost 8 hours in the lounge than deal with IRROPS...

Well, after reading this forum for the past few days I have decided to change to the earlier 2:55AM departure. While spending over 7 hours on a connection isn't something I am fond of I have no desire to miss my transatlantic connection. The on time track record of TK 691 is abysmal (i researched it), the horror stories about congestion at IST does not make me feel any better, and the new move to open gate security just tells me that I am playing with fire on a 110 minute connection.

Rather spend almost 8 hours in the lounge than deal with IRROPS...

Wise decision.

Usually 1:55 was more than enough time but with the current problems in IST it would be an ill advise to take the chance.
I recommend to go to the concierge desk immediately after entering the lounge and ask for a Relax Room.

Wise decision.

Usually 1:55 was more than enough time but with the current problems in IST it would be an ill advise to take the chance.
I recommend to go to the concierge desk immediately after entering the lounge and ask for a Relax Room.

Thanks...although our flights are not until the end of August I just don't trust Turkish or IST right now based on everything I have read...

Anyone have any thoughts on what our baggage allowance will be? The Turkish website is very confusing on this subject...

Hey folks,

Sorry if this has been brought up before, but tried searching and answers varied widely so thought I would pose the following questions.

We (two of us) are flying CAI-IST-EWR at the end of August. Taking TK from CAI on TK691 departing at 8:55AM that arrives at 12:05PM and connecting to UA905 departing at 1:55PM (1hr50min connection time). Traveling in business on both legs and I am Star Gold as well.

Two questions for the TK experts here:

1) Is 1hr50min enough time to connect in IST? If not the alternative is taking TK693 that arrives at 6:10AM but that will mean an over 7Hr connection time (not to mention a 2:55AM departure time from CAI).

2) Just confirming that our free baggage allowance is 2 bags at 32KG each per person (plus an additional free bag on top of that as a Star Gold) for a total of 5 bags?

Thanks!

Do you have your flights on the same ticket and you don't need to recollect/check baggage? TK691 doesn't overnight in CAI so it's prone to delay because congestion in IST but 06.45 when it departs from IST isn't the busiest hour.

Check baggage information http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/travel-information/pre-flight/baggage-information/free-baggage-allowance

If i were you i would try to squeeze in with the tighter connection if i had the flights on the same ticket. Otherwise not. Good luck securing that day room..

Do you have your flights on the same ticket and you don't need to recollect/check baggage? TK691 doesn't overnight in CAI so it's prone to delay because congestion in IST but 06.45 when it departs from IST isn't the busiest hour.

Check baggage information http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/travel-information/pre-flight/baggage-information/free-baggage-allowance

If i were you i would try to squeeze in with the tighter connection if i had the flights on the same ticket. Otherwise not. Good luck securing that day room..

The flights are on one ticket. It is an award ticket thru UA. The problem I am worried about isn't that TK 691 will depart from IST on time...but rather the latter...that it will depart CAI late (which is seems to consistently do almost every day).

The other problem is if we arrive in IST late...who is responsible? I keep hearing horror stories on here about TK when it comes to IRROPS...not to mention that I am connecting to UA...which will probably have rent a ground staff in IST...

With regards to the baggage this is where I get confused:

To the attention of the USA and Canada Passengers

Free baggage allowance on TK direct flights originating from North America (NYC, WAS, CHI, LAX and YTO) is 2 pieces. Free baggage allowance on North American Interline flights that include other carriers is 1 piece.

If I am in business all the way thru is it really one piece? I am on TK only on the CAI-IST piece but it is one ticket CAI-IST-EWR...so shouldn't it be two pieces per person plus one additional as a Star Gold?

If you misconnect you will deal with UA not TK since you are on a UA award ticket. Regarding luggage, as you are flying J, 5 bags for two seems to be right.

If you misconnect you will deal with UA not TK since you are on a UA award ticket. Regarding luggage, as you are flying J, 5 bags for two seems to be right.

Thanks...I can't afford to mis-connect so unless someone can convince me that TK will most likely be able to keep to its schedule (which historically looks very poor for TK 691) I will either suck it up and deal with the lengthy connection or another award option might open up between now and then that may be more appealing. Thanks!

Just as well re: your 7 hour connection. As a *Gold member, you can access the Turkish Airlines lounge at IST, which is one of the best, in my opinion. You can get a room there, or at least a shower and some great food.

The flights are on one ticket. It is an award ticket thru UA. The problem I am worried about isn't that TK 691 will depart from IST on time...but rather the latter...that it will depart CAI late (which is seems to consistently do almost every day).

The other problem is if we arrive in IST late...who is responsible? I keep hearing horror stories on here about TK when it comes to IRROPS...not to mention that I am connecting to UA...which will probably have rent a ground staff in IST...

With regards to the baggage this is where I get confused:

To the attention of the USA and Canada Passengers

Free baggage allowance on TK direct flights originating from North America (NYC, WAS, CHI, LAX and YTO) is 2 pieces. Free baggage allowance on North American Interline flights that include other carriers is 1 piece.

If I am in business all the way thru is it really one piece? I am on TK only on the CAI-IST piece but it is one ticket CAI-IST-EWR...so shouldn't it be two pieces per person plus one additional as a Star Gold?

It basically means that when you are flying TK it's TK baggage allowance and when you switch to UA you have to comply to their baggage allowance. Check how many baggage UA allows in J and add your *G extra allowance. I don't know how they could enforce such rules when you are checking your bags all the way through with TK ground staff. If i were you the last thing i would worry is the baggage allowance with TK.

I wouldn't rely getting a day room either. Go straight to hotel desk and get few nights sleep and shower on their contract hotel if you choose the 7 hours connection.

It basically means that when you are flying TK it's TK baggage allowance and when you switch to UA you have to comply to their baggage allowance. Check how many baggage UA allows in J and add your *G extra allowance. I don't know how they could enforce such rules when you are checking your bags all the way through with TK ground staff. If i were you the last thing i would worry is the baggage allowance with TK.

I wouldn't rely getting a day room either. Go straight to hotel desk and get few nights sleep and shower on their contract hotel if you choose the
7 hours connection.

Thanks. I was surprised to see that IST has an airport hotel with rooms on the AIRSIDE so if we end up here will probably just do that instead since there is no guarantee of getting a relaxation room in the lounge. Anyone know if it is a good walk in option or should one book that in advance?

UA J entitles me to six bags (3 bags per person regardless of status). Since I am checking my bags all the way thru beginning in CAI on TK in J I'm going to assume their bag policies for J to the USA applies.

Thanks. I was surprised to see that IST has an airport hotel with rooms on the AIRSIDE so if we end up here will probably just do that instead since there is no guarantee of getting a relaxation room in the lounge. Anyone know if it is a good walk in option or should one book that in advance?

UA J entitles me to six bags (3 bags per person regardless of status). Since I am checking my bags all the way thru beginning in CAI on TK in J I'm going to assume their bag policies for J to the USA applies.

You are entitled to free hotel and transfers both ways as a courtesy of TK. Check the hotel thread for more information. They don't use the airport hotel which value is questionable. You are looking something about 150eur/7h if i remember correctly if you choose to pay from your own pocket.

You are entitled to free hotel and transfers both ways as a courtesy of TK. Check the hotel thread for more information. They don't use the airport hotel which value is questionable. You are looking something about 150eur/7h if i remember correctly if you choose to pay from your own pocket.

Unfortunately this is not correct; the OP is flying UA from/to EWR; so no free hotel courtesy of TK.

Unfortunately this is not correct; the OP is flying UA from/to EWR; so no free hotel courtesy of TK.

If it's TK ticket and it's TK+UA codeshare flight he is entitled to hotel service.

If it's TK ticket and it's TK+UA codeshare flight he is entitled to hotel service.

The flights are on one ticket. It is an award ticket thru UA. post#6 ;)

Thanks. I was surprised to see that IST has an airport hotel with rooms on the AIRSIDE so if we end up here will probably just do that instead since there is no guarantee of getting a relaxation room in the lounge. Anyone know if it is a good walk in option or should one book that in advance?


The airport hotel is usually packed.I recommend to book in advance.

Let me add another wild card. TK seems fond of changing its schedules by significant chunks (e.g., 1 hour or more) even within one to two weeks of flight time. So your proposed connections may grow, or shrink. Keep checking them.

The airport hotel is usually packed.I recommend to book in advance.

Thanks...do you think a month in advance is sufficient? My trip is not until the end of August...

Let me add another wild card. TK seems fond of changing its schedules by significant chunks (e.g., 1 hour or more) even within one to two weeks of flight time. So your proposed connections may grow, or shrink. Keep checking them.

Thanks...I'm going to keep the current connection (7hr45min) as opposed to taking the chance with the 1hr50min and see what happens.