Jul 21, 2015, 8:54 pm
Last edit by: ISTFlyer
It's strange this thread has no Wiki, so here it is, created 7/21/2015
PLEASE READ THE OP Post first
For case related questions ( ex: Am I eligible, etc... ) contact[email protected] first before posting your question here.
TK free hotel room rules:
Note:
- You still need e-VISA to enter Turkish for a Tour or Hotel. The prices vary by countries ($60 USD for Canadian, $20 for USA, etc...)
You can apply here at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Tour website is at http://www.istanbulinhours.com/
There are 3 tours offered (Schedule)
A Bosphorus cruise, with food and drinks, is available for business class passengers of more than 7 hour layover (€183 as of Nov. 2017)
Here's a list of the common hotels that are reported in this thread:
Marriott Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel (72% TripAdvisor – most common)
Akgün Istanbul Hotel (44% TripAdvisor–common – far from the airport)
Wow Airport Hotel (56% TripAdvisor–common - very close to airport)
DoubleTree
Wyndham İstanbul Petek (92% TripAdvisor)
Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel (53% TripAdvisor)
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
Gonen Hotel Istanbul
Pullman Istanbul Airport Hotel
PLEASE READ THE OP Post first
For case related questions ( ex: Am I eligible, etc... ) contact[email protected] first before posting your question here.
TK free hotel room rules:
A complimentary hotel accommodation (maximum 2 nights) will be provided to our valuable passengers when there are more than 10 hours (for economy cabin passengers) and 7 or more hours (for business cabin passengers) waiting during their international connecting flights due to Turkish Airlines’ schedule structure. However, if your destination can be reached by an alternative flight to your first flight and the waiting time is less, you cannot take advantage of the hotel service. This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above. The first and the connecting flights must be with Turkish Airlines. All passengers must hold a confirmed reservation for the first and the connecting flights. Complimentary accommodation will be arranged with Turkish Airlines’ corporate partners and will be provided through the “Hotel Desk” located after the customs’ check point at the arrival. Passengers must check for any visa requirements when entering Turkey. In the event where a visa is not granted, Turkish Airlines assumes no responsibility for providing complimentary hotel accommodation.
Note:
- You still need e-VISA to enter Turkish for a Tour or Hotel. The prices vary by countries ($60 USD for Canadian, $20 for USA, etc...)
You can apply here at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Tour website is at http://www.istanbulinhours.com/
There are 3 tours offered (Schedule)
- Tour 1 8:30am - 11am - Sightseeing Tour
- Tour 2 9am - 3pm - Tour
- Tour 3 9am - 6pm - Tour
- Tour 4 12pm - 6pm - Tour
- Tour 5 4pm - 9pm - Cultural Walk Tour
A Bosphorus cruise, with food and drinks, is available for business class passengers of more than 7 hour layover (€183 as of Nov. 2017)
Here's a list of the common hotels that are reported in this thread:
Marriott Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel (72% TripAdvisor – most common)
Akgün Istanbul Hotel (44% TripAdvisor–common – far from the airport)
Wow Airport Hotel (56% TripAdvisor–common - very close to airport)
DoubleTree
Wyndham İstanbul Petek (92% TripAdvisor)
Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel (53% TripAdvisor)
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
Gonen Hotel Istanbul
Pullman Istanbul Airport Hotel
FAQ 8: Free hotel/tour/cruise when connecting at IST
Jan 19, 2013, 3:56 am
#1
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
FAQ 8: Free hotel/tour/cruise when connecting at IST
Turkish Airlines offer free hotel accommodation at IST airport (or a tour of Istanbul) to connecting passengers based on the following:
Rules:
- There is more than 10 hours (7 or more hours for business class passengers) between two international connecting flights due to Turkish Airlines’ schedule for a maximum 2 nights. Comfort Class is considered economy in this context.
- The layover time is calculated on the schedule not your booking. Let me explain: If the schedule shows an outgoing flight within the 10/7 hours window, even if you are not booked on the earlier flight (or couldn't book because it was full), you won't be able to take advantage of the free hotel/tour offer.
- You must be on an incoming TK and outgoing TK flight (other Star Alliance flights are not applicable for this offer).
How do I get this offer?:
Upon arrival you will have to clear immigration and customs and go to the “Hotel Desk” office which is located at the arrival floor after customs, turn right and walk to the end, next to Starbucks.
(thanks Mr. Roboto)
The staff will present you with a hotel voucher (which will include breakfast if your stay includes that time window), transport to/from the hotel is included.
The hotel may vary but is generally of good quality (Radisson Blue etc.).
You cannot pre-book the hotel/tour, you have to physically present yourself at the hotel desk. However for inquiries number for the hotel desk is +90 212 463 63 63 / ext. 12426-15532 or touristanbul[at]thy.com
If you don't want a hotel and fulfill the requirements you can avail of a free tour of Istanbul. Details on the Istanbul tours are available here and here.
You may find additional information in the old http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turki...ansit-pax.html thread.
What other options do I have if I don't fulfill the requirements?
You can book a room at the Istanbul Airport Hotel which offers rooms on both land and airside (no visa required). Airside rooms can be booked in three hour slots.
If you have lounge access you can spend your time at TK's flagship lounge. Details, including the "sleeping pods" are here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turki...st-lounge.html
Last edited by starflyergold; Feb 23, 2013 at 4:59 am
Jan 19, 2013, 4:57 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
I never thought I'd find myself wishing for fewer TLV flights
Jan 31, 2013, 4:19 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC SE, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 20
What is the policy on a free hotel stay when flying on two separate PNRs?
Scenario is as follows:
PNR 1: FRU-IST-JNB-IST-FRU
PNR 2: IST-PRG-IST
On the outbound leg, PNR 2 is nested within PNR 1 during a week-long Istanbul stopover. All flights are on TK, the PRG flight is the first scheduled departure after the first arrival from FRU, and the layover time is over 10 hours.
It appears that all the TK conditions are met for a free hotel stay, except that the flights are on separate PNRs. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Scenario is as follows:
PNR 1: FRU-IST-JNB-IST-FRU
PNR 2: IST-PRG-IST
On the outbound leg, PNR 2 is nested within PNR 1 during a week-long Istanbul stopover. All flights are on TK, the PRG flight is the first scheduled departure after the first arrival from FRU, and the layover time is over 10 hours.
It appears that all the TK conditions are met for a free hotel stay, except that the flights are on separate PNRs. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Jan 31, 2013, 11:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: SAS EBD, BA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 553
What is the policy on a free hotel stay when flying on two separate PNRs?
Scenario is as follows:
PNR 1: FRU-IST-JNB-IST-FRU
PNR 2: IST-PRG-IST
On the outbound leg, PNR 2 is nested within PNR 1 during a week-long Istanbul stopover. All flights are on TK, the PRG flight is the first scheduled departure after the first arrival from FRU, and the layover time is over 10 hours.
It appears that all the TK conditions are met for a free hotel stay, except that the flights are on separate PNRs. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Scenario is as follows:
PNR 1: FRU-IST-JNB-IST-FRU
PNR 2: IST-PRG-IST
On the outbound leg, PNR 2 is nested within PNR 1 during a week-long Istanbul stopover. All flights are on TK, the PRG flight is the first scheduled departure after the first arrival from FRU, and the layover time is over 10 hours.
It appears that all the TK conditions are met for a free hotel stay, except that the flights are on separate PNRs. Does anyone have any experience with this?
I'm travlling on two different PNR's, but had no issue getting the hotel. In my experience they only look at boarding passes, not reservations, so just make sure to have boarding passes for your onward connection.
Jan 31, 2013, 11:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC SE, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 20
Sitting in the IST lounge now after a complimentary night at Hilton Garden Inn.
I'm travlling on two different PNR's, but had no issue getting the hotel. In my experience they only look at boarding passes, not reservations, so just make sure to have boarding passes for your onward connection.
I'm travlling on two different PNR's, but had no issue getting the hotel. In my experience they only look at boarding passes, not reservations, so just make sure to have boarding passes for your onward connection.
Feb 1, 2013, 4:15 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
raunow, have you any idea or personal experiences with which hotels TK uses for the complimentary stay? Are they all near IST or are some of them in the city proper? Thank you.
Feb 4, 2013, 2:22 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PL
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3*G, TK*G
Posts: 36
I assume that code share flights are no good for complimentary hotel ?
I am flying WAW-IST-KUL with TK on the first leg and MH (CS flight) on the second. Both legs in J. 20h layover in IST. Any chances ?
I am flying WAW-IST-KUL with TK on the first leg and MH (CS flight) on the second. Both legs in J. 20h layover in IST. Any chances ?
Feb 7, 2013, 7:59 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 55
IST Tour dring layover?
Does anyone have experience with the Turkish airlines complimentary tour for long layovers? We will have about 8 hours while flying in Business BKK-IST-IAD.
The website says tours are complimentary for this sort of layover, but the timing doesn't seem to work. We arrive at 5:40AM and leave 1:30PM. The tours are generally listed as starting at 9AM (http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...assengers.aspx).
Has anyone had experience with this or something similar?
The website says tours are complimentary for this sort of layover, but the timing doesn't seem to work. We arrive at 5:40AM and leave 1:30PM. The tours are generally listed as starting at 9AM (http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...assengers.aspx).
Has anyone had experience with this or something similar?
Feb 7, 2013, 11:10 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Did you look in here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turki...ting-ist.html?
Feb 7, 2013, 12:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 55
Yep, I saw that thread. It didn't really cover the early AM situation or if the tours only start at 9AM
Feb 7, 2013, 9:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: THY M&S, Aeroflot Bonus
Posts: 21
In your case, unfortunately, the timing doesn't work: the tours ideed start at a fixed time - 9am and 12pm and end at 3pm and 6pm.
Feb 8, 2013, 6:01 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
I don't know exactly what he meant since we decided to take the 9am tour because you can't get 3 kids calm in a hotel room during daytime.
Feb 8, 2013, 1:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
To confirm - If I come in on TK GRU - IST, then overnight, and then depart the next day IST - ATH - JTR on A3, I am not elligible because my IST - ATH flight is on A3 and not TK, right?
Feb 8, 2013, 4:45 pm
#14
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
Feb 10, 2013, 5:19 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
Does anyone have experience with the Turkish airlines complimentary tour for long layovers? We will have about 8 hours while flying in Business BKK-IST-IAD.
The website says tours are complimentary for this sort of layover, but the timing doesn't seem to work. We arrive at 5:40AM and leave 1:30PM. The tours are generally listed as starting at 9AM (http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...assengers.aspx).
Has anyone had experience with this or something similar?
The website says tours are complimentary for this sort of layover, but the timing doesn't seem to work. We arrive at 5:40AM and leave 1:30PM. The tours are generally listed as starting at 9AM (http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...assengers.aspx).
Has anyone had experience with this or something similar?
I have a KUL-IST-WAW later in the year and the IST-WAW is a TK ticket on LOT metal