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 15, 2014, 4:02 am
#301
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ARN
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK*Elite+, EBD, FBG, EKS, IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 768
Ok, this is not covered in the first FAQ post and I don't feel like going through all pages here. What about this scenario?
I buy Athens to Nice. From Athens I can take a flight at either 15:30 or 21:30. The first flight from IST to NCE is at 8:30. If I book ATH-IST 15:30 connecting IST-NIC 8:30, am I eligable? I mean, technically I am on the first flight to Nice, but I could've taken a later flight from ATH.
I buy Athens to Nice. From Athens I can take a flight at either 15:30 or 21:30. The first flight from IST to NCE is at 8:30. If I book ATH-IST 15:30 connecting IST-NIC 8:30, am I eligable? I mean, technically I am on the first flight to Nice, but I could've taken a later flight from ATH.
Sep 16, 2014, 1:18 pm
#302
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ARN
Programs: AC UA TK FI DL
Posts: 800
Technically you are, but my husband just experienced something similar and was denied.
He was flying BCN IST EZE, chose the afternoon BCN IST flight, so he would have more time in IST at the hotel just to relax.
Upon arrival at IST, he was denied the hotel because the clerk at hotel desk claimed that there was a flight that had a connection, which would not provide for any hotel.
That information provided by the clerk was simply not true. The late flight from BCN to IST would still result in a minimum of 11,5 hours connection. So even economy class would qualify. When my husband confronted the clerk with this information, he then said that they only provide the hotel for the late flight.
When questioned how that could be, as the rules are clearly stated on the TK website, the clerk simply said that the rules changed "last week" and when asked to speak to a supervisor, he claims he is the supervisor and the discussion was over.
My husband even emailed the Stockholm office (he is Swedish) and the Stockholm office confirmed that by looking at his ticket, he is eligible for the hotel, and that he should speak to the clerk again... But it was useless. So my husband slept in the lounge instead. I would not recommend the earlier connection due to the "made up rule" of the day... You might get lucky, or you might get the TK treatment.
He was flying BCN IST EZE, chose the afternoon BCN IST flight, so he would have more time in IST at the hotel just to relax.
Upon arrival at IST, he was denied the hotel because the clerk at hotel desk claimed that there was a flight that had a connection, which would not provide for any hotel.
That information provided by the clerk was simply not true. The late flight from BCN to IST would still result in a minimum of 11,5 hours connection. So even economy class would qualify. When my husband confronted the clerk with this information, he then said that they only provide the hotel for the late flight.
When questioned how that could be, as the rules are clearly stated on the TK website, the clerk simply said that the rules changed "last week" and when asked to speak to a supervisor, he claims he is the supervisor and the discussion was over.
My husband even emailed the Stockholm office (he is Swedish) and the Stockholm office confirmed that by looking at his ticket, he is eligible for the hotel, and that he should speak to the clerk again... But it was useless. So my husband slept in the lounge instead. I would not recommend the earlier connection due to the "made up rule" of the day... You might get lucky, or you might get the TK treatment.
Sep 16, 2014, 3:08 pm
#303
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ARN
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK*Elite+, EBD, FBG, EKS, IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 768
Sep 16, 2014, 4:35 pm
#304
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Ok, this is not covered in the first FAQ post and I don't feel like going through all pages here. What about this scenario?
I buy Athens to Nice. From Athens I can take a flight at either 15:30 or 21:30. The first flight from IST to NCE is at 8:30. If I book ATH-IST 15:30 connecting IST-NIC 8:30, am I eligable? I mean, technically I am on the first flight to Nice, but I could've taken a later flight from ATH.
I buy Athens to Nice. From Athens I can take a flight at either 15:30 or 21:30. The first flight from IST to NCE is at 8:30. If I book ATH-IST 15:30 connecting IST-NIC 8:30, am I eligable? I mean, technically I am on the first flight to Nice, but I could've taken a later flight from ATH.
Sep 17, 2014, 5:42 am
#305
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
Are the rules on the connection for the free tours enforced as strictly as that for the free hotels? For example, if there is an earlier flight that would make me ineligible for the tour but I am booked on a later one, will they deny the tour (as they would the free hotel) ?
Sep 23, 2014, 2:31 pm
#306
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
I was wondering, is the 10 hours layover really strict? I have a 9 hours and 25 min layover (arriving 10:10 pm SKG-IST, departing 7:35 am IST-CDG) in a couple of days.
Do you think I should try my luck on the hotel desk, or is it waste of time and I should book a hotel to spend the night on my own? Somebody that had the experience of how strict they are on the layover time would really help!
Do you think I should try my luck on the hotel desk, or is it waste of time and I should book a hotel to spend the night on my own? Somebody that had the experience of how strict they are on the layover time would really help!
Sep 24, 2014, 1:00 am
#307
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,592
Sep 24, 2014, 1:23 am
#308
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
Thank you for the answer, I'm going for a cheap hotel reservation... Bad luck!
Sep 28, 2014, 8:28 am
#309
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
Hey All,
Long time lurker / first time poster.
Quick question to those who know more than me about the TK hotel offer:
I know that they tend to put you in nicer hotels if you're flying C or F (last time around I was Y on my first layover and got put into Wow Hotels, but C on the way back and was put into Renaissance Polat), but does anybody know whether they put *G into a nicer hotel as well?
Asking because I'm meeting a friend who's got an overnight layover there at the same time with me and she's *G but her ticket is in Y so want to make sure they'll put us in the same hotel.
Cheers,
Bryan
Long time lurker / first time poster.
Quick question to those who know more than me about the TK hotel offer:
I know that they tend to put you in nicer hotels if you're flying C or F (last time around I was Y on my first layover and got put into Wow Hotels, but C on the way back and was put into Renaissance Polat), but does anybody know whether they put *G into a nicer hotel as well?
Asking because I'm meeting a friend who's got an overnight layover there at the same time with me and she's *G but her ticket is in Y so want to make sure they'll put us in the same hotel.
Cheers,
Bryan
Oct 2, 2014, 11:56 am
#310
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
I was wondering, is the 10 hours layover really strict? I have a 9 hours and 25 min layover (arriving 10:10 pm SKG-IST, departing 7:35 am IST-CDG) in a couple of days.
Do you think I should try my luck on the hotel desk, or is it waste of time and I should book a hotel to spend the night on my own? Somebody that had the experience of how strict they are on the layover time would really help!
Do you think I should try my luck on the hotel desk, or is it waste of time and I should book a hotel to spend the night on my own? Somebody that had the experience of how strict they are on the layover time would really help!
Finally I tried my luck on the hotel desk of TK in Ataturk airport and although my layover was under 10 hours they game me free hotel accomodation. I would not say though I'm so satisfied. I arrived 10:45 on the hotel desk and we were transfered by shuttle to the hotel after 12:00. Hotel was 25 km away and although a 5 star hotel, behavior of the employees was quite rude. Finally we went to our rooms after endless waiting at the lobby on 1:15. At least hotel room had a good quality.
Oct 2, 2014, 11:15 pm
#311
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
Hello again.
Finally I tried my luck on the hotel desk of TK in Ataturk airport and although my layover was under 10 hours they game me free hotel accomodation. I would not say though I'm so satisfied. I arrived 10:45 on the hotel desk and we were transfered by shuttle to the hotel after 12:00. Hotel was 25 km away and although a 5 star hotel, behavior of the employees was quite rude. Finally we went to our rooms after endless waiting at the lobby on 1:15. At least hotel room had a good quality.
Finally I tried my luck on the hotel desk of TK in Ataturk airport and although my layover was under 10 hours they game me free hotel accomodation. I would not say though I'm so satisfied. I arrived 10:45 on the hotel desk and we were transfered by shuttle to the hotel after 12:00. Hotel was 25 km away and although a 5 star hotel, behavior of the employees was quite rude. Finally we went to our rooms after endless waiting at the lobby on 1:15. At least hotel room had a good quality.
Hotel wise - they seem to switch hotels rather frequently and the hotel that they're currently using is indeed quite far from the airport and average quality - especially for a 5-star hotel. Previously though, I've been accommodated at very decent hotels, not far from the airport, so it's a bit of a hit and miss.
P.S. In response to my earlier post in the thread, I can now confirm that *G doesn't qualify you for a better hotel. Only a C/F ticket does.
Nov 3, 2014, 3:15 am
#312
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: TK Elite; HH Diamond; AA Plat; CC Gold
Posts: 310
I also tried the luck with TK Hotel Desk. Yes, the staff there is quite rude. They gave me Grand Yavuz Hotel. I was travelling in C. Only thing what I liked in this hotel, was the location.
Nov 3, 2014, 9:45 am
#313
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I have a 7h:55min layover at IST later this month, traveling in J. Should I even bother to take TK up on the free hotel offer? Or, should I just stay airside and hang out in the lounge? If I do stay airside, is there anything to do in the airport outside of hanging out in the lounge?
Seems like a lot of hassle to get the free hotel room plus the time needed to get to the hotel and the time needed to get back to the airport in time for my connecting flight. Would also have to pay in advance for the e-visa to leave the transit area and take TK up on the hotel offer.
Seems like a lot of hassle to get the free hotel room plus the time needed to get to the hotel and the time needed to get back to the airport in time for my connecting flight. Would also have to pay in advance for the e-visa to leave the transit area and take TK up on the hotel offer.
I'm beginning to think that when you add up all the time required to go through immigration and then deal with the TK hotel desk, then a shuttle to a hotel - which may (or may not) be far and not so great, then find the shuttle in time to get back to the airport to clear security, etc... Seems like the time might be better spent just hanging in the lounge.
Nov 3, 2014, 12:11 pm
#314
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: TK Elite; HH Diamond; AA Plat; CC Gold
Posts: 310
Similar situation for us. Flying Business and the transfer time is about 7:30. Arrive at 17:00ish and depart at 0.40ish.
I'm beginning to think that when you add up all the time required to go through immigration and then deal with the TK hotel desk, then a shuttle to a hotel - which may (or may not) be far and not so great, then find the shuttle in time to get back to the airport to clear security, etc... Seems like the time might be better spent just hanging in the lounge.
I'm beginning to think that when you add up all the time required to go through immigration and then deal with the TK hotel desk, then a shuttle to a hotel - which may (or may not) be far and not so great, then find the shuttle in time to get back to the airport to clear security, etc... Seems like the time might be better spent just hanging in the lounge.
Nov 3, 2014, 2:42 pm
#315
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
Similar situation for us. Flying Business and the transfer time is about 7:30. Arrive at 17:00ish and depart at 0.40ish.
I'm beginning to think that when you add up all the time required to go through immigration and then deal with the TK hotel desk, then a shuttle to a hotel - which may (or may not) be far and not so great, then find the shuttle in time to get back to the airport to clear security, etc... Seems like the time might be better spent just hanging in the lounge.
I'm beginning to think that when you add up all the time required to go through immigration and then deal with the TK hotel desk, then a shuttle to a hotel - which may (or may not) be far and not so great, then find the shuttle in time to get back to the airport to clear security, etc... Seems like the time might be better spent just hanging in the lounge.
8 hours is a VERY VERY VERY long time in the lounge. :P
I'd consider doing the hotel just for the variety and an extra passport stamp. Heh.