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
Sep 23, 2013, 9:40 am
#136
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Yes you will as your connection is more than 7 hours.
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...rvice-requests
You need a visa if you are a US citizen
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...rvice-requests
You need a visa if you are a US citizen
Sep 23, 2013, 9:58 am
#138
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Yes you will as your connection is longer than 7 hours and there is not an earlier flight.
Sep 23, 2013, 10:01 am
#139
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
However, be prepared to explain if the staff at the desk says NO.
Last edited by vincewy; Sep 23, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Sep 30, 2013, 12:16 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
When I am booking my flight YYZ-LGW with TK it does not give me the same day connections to LGW, but it forces an overnight, which I am fine with.
So if I arrive at the hotel selection booth, they will turn me away and tell me to go get the same day flight if it exists?
So can I also ask for the Holiday Inn on arrival since it is on the list?
So if I arrive at the hotel selection booth, they will turn me away and tell me to go get the same day flight if it exists?
So can I also ask for the Holiday Inn on arrival since it is on the list?
Last edited by djjaguar64; Oct 1, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Oct 1, 2013, 3:14 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MKE
Programs: Fly: AA EXP UA Gold MM Stay: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat Drive: Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 782
2 hotel stays on 2 layovers on the same trip?
I have 2 international connections in Istanbul on a future trip. Both are more than 10 hours and there are no other earlier connecting flights to those destinations. Is it possible to get a free hotel on both of these?
I'd like to take advantage of the tour instead, but the timing doesn't work out with my itinerary.
Its an odd sensation not booking a hotel, but its hard to beat free.
Thanks!
I'd like to take advantage of the tour instead, but the timing doesn't work out with my itinerary.
Its an odd sensation not booking a hotel, but its hard to beat free.
Thanks!
Oct 1, 2013, 4:53 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
I have 2 international connections in Istanbul on a future trip. Both are more than 10 hours and there are no other earlier connecting flights to those destinations. Is it possible to get a free hotel on both of these?
I'd like to take advantage of the tour instead, but the timing doesn't work out with my itinerary.
Its an odd sensation not booking a hotel, but its hard to beat free.
Thanks!
I'd like to take advantage of the tour instead, but the timing doesn't work out with my itinerary.
Its an odd sensation not booking a hotel, but its hard to beat free.
Thanks!
Oct 2, 2013, 2:14 am
#143
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
When I am booking my flight YYZ-LGW with TK it does not give me the same day connections to LGW, but it forces an overnight, which I am fine with.
So if I arrive at the hotel selection booth, they will turn me away and tell me to go get the same day flight if it exists?
So can I also ask for the Holiday Inn on arrival since it is on the list?
So if I arrive at the hotel selection booth, they will turn me away and tell me to go get the same day flight if it exists?
So can I also ask for the Holiday Inn on arrival since it is on the list?
You can ask for whatever you want but it's up to the hotel desk to decide where you are going to stay at.
Oct 5, 2013, 1:36 pm
#144
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,406
Hotel hassle
I had a 7,5h layover in IST, arriving at 1710 before continuing at 0040 to Africa. As I had landed from Asia and the next night would be ruined I wanted to get some sleep. My preference would have been the lounge sleeping pods (suites), but the lounge attendants are really strict that they can't be used if you have more than 7h transfer time.
So instead I went to the hotel desk and was escorted to a hotel shuttle at 1745. The transfer to the hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) took about 40 minutes and I wasn't checked in until 1830. The pickup back to the airport was at 2045, a time that could not be changed. So I got 2h 15min actual time in the room, which didn't do much good unfortunately.
While it is really great that TK provides the hotel service; I would really like to see the sleeping pod service extended as an alternative. As my case shows, sometimes the hotel service isn't a suitable alternative (and I had fast-track passport control with no visa need).
So instead I went to the hotel desk and was escorted to a hotel shuttle at 1745. The transfer to the hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) took about 40 minutes and I wasn't checked in until 1830. The pickup back to the airport was at 2045, a time that could not be changed. So I got 2h 15min actual time in the room, which didn't do much good unfortunately.
While it is really great that TK provides the hotel service; I would really like to see the sleeping pod service extended as an alternative. As my case shows, sometimes the hotel service isn't a suitable alternative (and I had fast-track passport control with no visa need).
Oct 6, 2013, 11:54 am
#145
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
While it is really great that TK provides the hotel service; I would really like to see the sleeping pod service extended as an alternative. As my case shows, sometimes the hotel service isn't a suitable alternative (and I had fast-track passport control with no visa need).
Oct 19, 2013, 1:43 am
#146
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Hi,
Does anyone know if a stay of exactly 7 hours qualifies for the hotel? All the other conditions are fulfilled.
Does anyone know if a stay of exactly 7 hours qualifies for the hotel? All the other conditions are fulfilled.
Oct 26, 2013, 11:12 am
#148
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Germany
Programs: HH Diamond, TK Elite+ *G, ClubCarlson Gold, PC Platinum, SPG Gold, Accor Platinum, LH MM
Posts: 65
Is there a chance getting an hotel as Elite Plus flying C WAW-IST-KUL with a layover to KUL 6:25 and back 6:50...
Nearly 7h in the lounge is too.... long... and back only 10 min. missing...
Nearly 7h in the lounge is too.... long... and back only 10 min. missing...
Oct 26, 2013, 8:50 pm
#149
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
You can try, of course, but I think you will not be successful, as THY seems to be very strict about the connecting times. Unfortunately, you will not really know the results until you address this issue with the THY Hotel Desk which is past immigration and customs control in the arrivals hall. Some passengers have reported being able to confirm eligibility by telephoning the Hotel Desk whose phone number is probably buried in one of the previous posts. Good luck!
Oct 26, 2013, 10:13 pm
#150
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
GrizNation case was different, although there was an earlier flight, that earlier flight also had layover of 10 hours. (he mentions this in post #79)
polynet in post #70, vincewy in post#81 and some dude in lengthy post #61 are asking about scenario where
a) they meet "no OUTGOING flight in next 10 hour" rule
b) but they could have taken later INCOMING flight for short layover
Edit:Seems language has been changed from "Next scheduled outbound being more than 7h/10h away" to "time between connections being more than 7h/10h" Would like to confirm with recent datapoints.
Last edited by desi; Oct 26, 2013 at 11:56 pm