Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - Intentionally Booked Long Layover to Get Hotel- No Hotel for Me?

Hello All,

I booked a flight LAX-Tel Aviv for August with a 13 hour overnight layover in Istanbul to take advantage of the complimentary hotel and to see the city. I just realized that your outbound connection has to be the first flight out to qualify for the free hotel. This is where I screwed up.

I was given four flight option online to Tel Aviv and I picked the third flight out since the other ones were arriving at obscure times. Will I still be able to get the hotel or did I just cause myself to spend 13 hours in the airport? Thanks.

Hi Georgina,

You might have to check airline policy on this one. At least for Qatar Airways, the policy is that they offer you the complimentary accommodation if the first flight out is not available and I believe this is standard practice. I know there are disputes about this policy across the web though but it is a reasonable policy.

My suggestion is to go down to the airline. Turkish? And talk to them to either connect you on the earliest flight so you avoid being stuck in the airport, or ask them if there are offers for the day trip. National airlines are often happy to showcase their country and offer great day deals.

Good luck!

I was on a BKK-IST-OSL flight... and BKK-IST has a day flight and a night flight which the latter connects to the OSL flight. But for months, I was on waitlist on the evening flight which did not clear (I was in J booking class) right up to the day of departure though I was already confirmed on the day flight which requires an overnight.

On the day of travel, I went over to the BKK airport desk and asked if I will get the hotel and I was yelled at that I should book the night flight if I wanted the trhu connection. I told them I was on waitlist for months and then without even looking at my ticket - was told that basically I got what I got because I booked a cheap fare.

So much for that !

Now i'm really starting to worry. Should I just ask them to switch me to an earlier flight when I arrive to Istanbul if they refuse to grant me the hotel?

Now i'm really starting to worry. Should I just ask them to switch me to an earlier flight when I arrive to Istanbul if they refuse to grant me the hotel?

They will refuse your claim.Sorry to say.

As an alternative, if you are *G or traveling in C,try to get a day room & shower in the CIP lounge.

I'm in the same situation (no earlier flight back), and I'm intending to do the Istanbul Tours. From what I have read here, TK is more generous about the Tour than the hotel. I hope it's true and if not, I hope they will put me on an earlier flight.

They will refuse your claim.Sorry to say.

As an alternative, if you are *G or traveling in C,try to get a day room & shower in the CIP lounge.

I'm flying Comfort Class (O Class ticket). I'm guessing that means nothing in this situation?

I'm flying Comfort Class (O Class ticket). I'm guessing that means nothing in this situation?

Unfortunately not.

But check the lounge meeting and ask if some *G will be willing to guest you ( if present )

I'm in the same situation (no earlier flight back), and I'm intending to do the Istanbul Tours. From what I have read here, TK is more generous about the Tour than the hotel. I hope it's true and if not, I hope they will put me on an earlier flight.

I did this earlier this year. I was on SIN-IST-VLC and purposely booked the IST-VLC the evening on the next day. (Not) surprising that a lot of TK staff are unaware of the promo.

I still decided to try my luck. There is a dedicated counter for this promo at arrivals. As you exit turn right walk till the end, it's in front of Starbucks

However, they offered a choice between the hotel or the city tour. I took the hotel, no brainer. Hotel is in SultanAhmed area. Quick hop on the metro to Blue Mosque/HajarSofia.
Can't remember the name but it's decent with buffet dinner and bfast included.