Jul 21, 2015, 8:54 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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:

Quote:

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

How to Apply - You need minimum 6 hours layover, max 24 hours. Both inbound and outbound flights must be on TK.

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

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 3, 2014, 5:33 pm

#316

sbrower

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by R7U

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.

How would you compare them with the hotel desk for Singapore Airlines? Or, even more importantly, with the hotel desk for United Airlines at JFK? Or with the British Airways hotel desk at Heathrow?

Nov 3, 2014, 8:17 pm

#317

JessicaTam

Join Date: May 2012

Location: SXE

Programs: QF LTG, VA Gold, BA Gold, HH, SFSC

Posts: 502

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudo Nim

I've done this connection. By 20:00, you want to commit homicide. By 22:00, suicide. By 23:00, you'll be in a catatonic "when will this end" state.

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.

I have done a long connection in IST before, and whilst it is a great lounge, I agree that there is only so long you can spend there.

I will be transitting in a week or so for 11 hours and will be taking the hotel. I have prepaid a visa and will really just be using the hotel to drop my bags and have a shower. Then I will be spending the afternoon enjoying Istanbul. I am just hoping that the hotel is close to the middle of the city.

Nov 9, 2014, 4:06 am

#318

iqzero

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 34

Hey,
I am flying back from BKK to RIX on 30th of jan 2015.
I can not see any better connections that day. So should I get an accomodation for that night?
30.Jan.2015 / 11:10
BANGKOK/Suvarnabhumi Airport
30.Jan.2015 / 17:05
İSTANBUL/Ataturk Airport

31.Jan.2015 / 11:40
İSTANBUL/Ataturk Airport
31.Jan.2015 / 14:35
RIGA/Riga Airport

Last time the city tour was OK, and approved,even though there was a better connection. What`s it like with the hotel.

Rgrds

Nov 9, 2014, 4:34 am

#319

starflyergold

Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: BRU

Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum

Posts: 7,591

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqzero

There is a later flight leaving BKK at 11.45pm (TK69) and that connects to the same RIX flight with a stop over of 6h35m so no hotel.

Nov 9, 2014, 4:41 am

#320

iqzero

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 34

Thanks, i see it now

Nov 10, 2014, 12:25 pm

#321

iqzero

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 34

When trying booking a return flight, I can not see that 11.45pm flight however when trying to buy a single trip, it shows. I tried contacting Turkish airlines in Stockholm, and they said I can get a hotel. Probably have to contact the one in Istanbul too.

Dear

According to system;
There is no another better connection
You are allowed to take hotel benefit
Please contact Turkish Airlines Hotel desk after passport controll
Thank you

Have a nice travel with Turkish Airlines

Nov 10, 2014, 12:32 pm

#322

starflyergold

Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: BRU

Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum

Posts: 7,591

That's good news, make sure to have that email with you when you pass through IST.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqzero

Nov 10, 2014, 12:34 pm

#323

iqzero

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 34

Do you think they will approve it there?

Nov 10, 2014, 11:01 pm

#324

sbrower

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqzero

Do you think they will approve it there?

Don't know. But I do know that what they seem to like is when you hand them organized paperwork, without a lot of conversation. So hand them your stuff, and include the email, and hopefully it will work.

Nov 14, 2014, 7:45 am

#325

JessicaTam

Join Date: May 2012

Location: SXE

Programs: QF LTG, VA Gold, BA Gold, HH, SFSC

Posts: 502

As a data point I had a 12 hour transit in IST last week. I was taken to the Polat Renaissance Hotel on the waterfront about 15 minutes from the airport. I had a twin double room, with full club lounge benefits. My flight out was at 1am and I was collected promptly at 11pm for the short return to IST.

Thanks for all the contributors to this thread for giving me the heads up to be able to take advantage of this.

Nov 14, 2014, 6:28 pm

#326

tzly6p

Join Date: May 2013

Posts: 20

I think I qualify?

But it seems too good to be true. I arrive on Nov 26 at 14:45 from Rome. The next flight to LAX is Nov 27 at 12:55 so I have to spend the night. However, I could have taken the 7ish flight from Rome, I just did not want to get up at 3 am. But I still qualify since the next connecting flight is more than 10 hours in the future??????

Nov 15, 2014, 12:05 am

#327

sbrower

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzly6p

Not sure I understand your post because I did not do research. But if you are saying that there is a 0700 flight on 11/27, that arrives a sufficient amount of time before the 12:55 flight on 11/27 departs, then you don't qualify.

Last edited by sbrower; Nov 15, 2014 at 12:22 am

Nov 17, 2014, 7:26 pm

#328

Matas Bertasius

Join Date: Nov 2014

Posts: 1

Do I get free stay

Dear all,

Please see the situation I have bellow. My flight was moved and now I have 24h+ layover in Istanbul do I qualify for a free hotel?

Thanks in advance,

Nov 18, 2014, 11:19 am

#329

Forrest Bump

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: NAP

Programs: LH, BA, TK

Posts: 2,409

TK now shows no flights available for next 20/12.
However, being a major schedule change, my guess is that you are entitled to hotel and meals.
I would call TK call center.

Nov 20, 2014, 6:23 pm

#330

jmgriffin

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: CHS

Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 685

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matas Bertasius

Dear all,

Please see the situation I have bellow. My flight was moved and now I have 24h+ layover in Istanbul do I qualify for a free hotel?

Thanks in advance,

It basically looks like they changed the schedule and now have IST-VNO on all days except for Thursday/Saturday. From that point, I'd say that you almost certainly qualify for the free night in Istanbul. Alternatively, you could possibly change your flight from HKG to leave a day later?