TK CIP Lounge @ SAW
Feb 27, 2013, 3:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Deptford, UK.
Programs: BD Gold (yes forever), BA Silver, Hilton Gold.
Posts: 547
TK CIP Lounge @ SAW
Hi, I am very tempted by the low prices on this route but I have a few questions.
The fares book into W class, will this earn anything for a TK Elite?
Is there a lounge at either LGW or SAW and if so what are they like?
I have only ever used IST before so how easy it is to get into town from SAW.
Do TK offer upgrades for miles or cash? The aircraft is a Boeing 738 so not sure if it would be worth it even if the do!
This would be a leisure trip in winter so any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
The fares book into W class, will this earn anything for a TK Elite?
Is there a lounge at either LGW or SAW and if so what are they like?
I have only ever used IST before so how easy it is to get into town from SAW.
Do TK offer upgrades for miles or cash? The aircraft is a Boeing 738 so not sure if it would be worth it even if the do!
This would be a leisure trip in winter so any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Apr 29, 2013, 1:06 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
Lounge @ SAW?
Flying TK to LGW soon. Are there *G-access lounge facilities at SAW?
May 11, 2013, 5:45 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: DFW,FLL
Programs: DL PM, UA Premier Plat, Hertz 5*, HH Gold
Posts: 561
lounge access at Istanbul Gabiha
I know there is a TK lounge at SAW. However, it's not listed under the Star Alliance website. Anyone with *G status ever been able to gain access there?
May 27, 2013, 7:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
Need to double check, for E or E+, flying domestic (ie SAW-VAN), would I have access to TK's CIP lounge flying economy? Same question for flying Anadolujet? I know other *G would not have access to those.
edit: Never mind, found the answer. In fact, all domestic CIP lounges (where available) are accessible to Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus when they fly TK or AnadoluJet metal, but not other Star Alliance Gold. Without any status, you may also purchase a lounge pass for additional 50TL during booking from Anadolujet.com (for some reason this option doesn't show up on thy.com)
edit: Never mind, found the answer. In fact, all domestic CIP lounges (where available) are accessible to Classic Plus, Elite, and Elite Plus when they fly TK or AnadoluJet metal, but not other Star Alliance Gold. Without any status, you may also purchase a lounge pass for additional 50TL during booking from Anadolujet.com (for some reason this option doesn't show up on thy.com)
Last edited by vincewy; Jun 1, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Jan 18, 2014, 10:07 am
#9
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
http://www.sabihagokcen.aero/passeng...ounges/thy-cip
SAW is a small airport; there's a food court on the upper floor, and I found the cafe (was it Starbucks?) to be a nice place to spend an hour in during a recent connection. Inexpensive drinks and snacks, comfortable chairs and sofas, and electricity socket (but no free wifi). It was very peaceful when I was there. The lounge didn't look much nicer.
Shuly
Jan 18, 2014, 12:36 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London/Norwich
Programs: Lost all status due to flying less to tackle the climate emergency
Posts: 132
Remember to get a lounge card at check in for this one if you are *G btw. . .I've made that mistake before!
EDIT: with upgrading. . .might have changed now, but this route use to have blocked seat business quite a bit. So I'd be cautious about upgrading.
Jan 20, 2014, 10:15 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: GYD
Programs: Azerbaijan Airlines Gold, Turkish Miles and Smiles, IHG Plat
Posts: 663
All in all, I have found SAW to be a crap airport. Unfriendly staff and packed to the gills with LCCs - it's like Luton on the Bosphorus.
Jan 20, 2015, 2:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Update - I just flew TK through SAW and they built a beautiful TK only lounge in the style of the IST lounge, but smaller. Nice bathrooms with showers, pide baker, salads, olive bar, pool table, TV lounge, luggage lockers, etc. but really uncrowded. Sadly, they did not have any desserts and they did not have the grilled meat, the cheese or pasta stations that they have at IST. (even the crappy priority pass lounge across the hall has cakes). That said, it's a huge improvement over the prior lounge if only because it's 3x the size with 1/4 of the pax.
Furthermore, for my international transfer inbound from MUC, I didn't have to go through security again at SAW which was always the worst part about transferring there. It was like a domestic EU or USA transfer right up the jetway and a few hundred meters down the hall to the lounge - really enjoyable experience overall. Now if they'd just get cakes and grilled meat then there's no reason for me to change in IST with all the chaos there.
Furthermore, for my international transfer inbound from MUC, I didn't have to go through security again at SAW which was always the worst part about transferring there. It was like a domestic EU or USA transfer right up the jetway and a few hundred meters down the hall to the lounge - really enjoyable experience overall. Now if they'd just get cakes and grilled meat then there's no reason for me to change in IST with all the chaos there.