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
Jul 21, 2015, 9:00 pm
#406
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
I'm surprised there was no Wiki, so I created one and added some Tour details
Maybe people can now add their QUALIFYING flights/connections with # of layover hours in it?
Maybe people can now add their QUALIFYING flights/connections with # of layover hours in it?
Jul 28, 2015, 12:42 pm
#407
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 216
My recent experiences:
May, 2015 flying CDG (Paris) to LAX with stop in IST. Requested the closest hotel to Sultanahmet as we were meeting someone for dinner. Was sent to the Akgün Istanbul Hotel. This is basically a 3 star that they call a 5 star and is not that that close to Sultanahmet (about 20 minutes). Of note: Apparently the Akgun has more than one hotel and, after dinner, the Uber driver took us to the wrong one and then had to locate the correct hotel. Also of note: Uber was a new Mercedes and much nicer than any cab I have ever taken in IST. We arrived from Paris in J and departed to LAX in Comfort Class. An associate that took the same flights two days earlier was sent to the Renaissance Polak.
July, 2015
LAX to BOD (Bordeaux, France) with stop in IST. Arrived in CC, Departed in business. Requested the Wyndam and was told that they do not have an agreement with them. Was sent to the Renaissance Polat. We were given a very nice room with a sea view and were told at the hotel that it was because we were traveling in business. Also had access to the hotel lounge. Nice location and beautiful pool even if not near the main sights.
July 2015 (Yesterday!)
BOD-LAX Arrived to IST in J, Departed in CC. Requested the Renaissance Polat and was told that we could not go there as both legs had to be business! Argued, but it did no good. Requested Courtyard Marriott and was told they did not have an agreement with them. Was sent to WOW Airport Hotel. Not as bad as Akgun but not as nice as the Renaissance Polat. Took a taxi over to the Marina in Yesilkoy (about 5 minutes and less than $10 and had a great dinner and walked along the water.
All three layovers were about 14 hours. I don't think that my requests really made a difference and they sent us to where the bus was going. These were my first experiences with the IST free hotel and I made my requests based on info in this thread and then requested the Renaissance Polat based on my previous experience. When we went to the Polat we were one of two groups. Apparently, the "business passengers" were sent to the Polat and everyone else went to another hotel. In all three cases we did not need to wait very long (either at the hotel desk or for the bus).
May, 2015 flying CDG (Paris) to LAX with stop in IST. Requested the closest hotel to Sultanahmet as we were meeting someone for dinner. Was sent to the Akgün Istanbul Hotel. This is basically a 3 star that they call a 5 star and is not that that close to Sultanahmet (about 20 minutes). Of note: Apparently the Akgun has more than one hotel and, after dinner, the Uber driver took us to the wrong one and then had to locate the correct hotel. Also of note: Uber was a new Mercedes and much nicer than any cab I have ever taken in IST. We arrived from Paris in J and departed to LAX in Comfort Class. An associate that took the same flights two days earlier was sent to the Renaissance Polak.
July, 2015
LAX to BOD (Bordeaux, France) with stop in IST. Arrived in CC, Departed in business. Requested the Wyndam and was told that they do not have an agreement with them. Was sent to the Renaissance Polat. We were given a very nice room with a sea view and were told at the hotel that it was because we were traveling in business. Also had access to the hotel lounge. Nice location and beautiful pool even if not near the main sights.
July 2015 (Yesterday!)
BOD-LAX Arrived to IST in J, Departed in CC. Requested the Renaissance Polat and was told that we could not go there as both legs had to be business! Argued, but it did no good. Requested Courtyard Marriott and was told they did not have an agreement with them. Was sent to WOW Airport Hotel. Not as bad as Akgun but not as nice as the Renaissance Polat. Took a taxi over to the Marina in Yesilkoy (about 5 minutes and less than $10 and had a great dinner and walked along the water.
All three layovers were about 14 hours. I don't think that my requests really made a difference and they sent us to where the bus was going. These were my first experiences with the IST free hotel and I made my requests based on info in this thread and then requested the Renaissance Polat based on my previous experience. When we went to the Polat we were one of two groups. Apparently, the "business passengers" were sent to the Polat and everyone else went to another hotel. In all three cases we did not need to wait very long (either at the hotel desk or for the bus).
Aug 3, 2015, 9:32 pm
#408
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
FYI, under touristanbul it mentions that there will be a new tour option as of 10th August. No further info found.
Aug 4, 2015, 8:45 am
#409
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
I found from experience not to make any requests or annoy the staff. I asked pleasantly and was given the Hilton close to the airport. We were both Star Golds and travelling in Y. The staff member told me that it all depends on when your next flight is from IST(ie, the hotel that is selected).
Aug 12, 2015, 8:57 pm
#410
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: KF EG
Posts: 61
I see that for the tour from 9am to 3pm, your departure flight must be later than 4.30pm.
Are they very strict on this? I have a layover from 7am to 420pm, just 10 min shy of the required time. Or should I take the 8.30am to 11am short tour instead?
Are they very strict on this? I have a layover from 7am to 420pm, just 10 min shy of the required time. Or should I take the 8.30am to 11am short tour instead?
Aug 13, 2015, 6:52 pm
#411
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 120
So I'm looking at a flight
YYZ > ORD (AC)
ORD > IST (TK Business) arrives at 5pm
IST > CTA (TK Business) Departs at 6:55am
Would this qualify for the hotel? The flight in is international but not the flight out... Just wondering what our best option is.
Thanks!
YYZ > ORD (AC)
ORD > IST (TK Business) arrives at 5pm
IST > CTA (TK Business) Departs at 6:55am
Would this qualify for the hotel? The flight in is international but not the flight out... Just wondering what our best option is.
Thanks!
Aug 14, 2015, 3:01 am
#412
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, TP Silver
Posts: 888
IST - CTA is certainly international (Istanbul, Turkey to Catania, Italy).
Aug 14, 2015, 4:05 am
#413
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
Aug 14, 2015, 11:26 am
#414
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 120
Friend of mine just told me about the hotel program since the itinerary im looking at booking would require a 13 or so hour layover overnight.
Thank you!.. Is there anything before that I should be doing/booking? Or just goto the hotel desk mentioned in the first post?
Aug 16, 2015, 11:28 am
#415
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: AF FB Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 274
Last edited by HasteFlier; Aug 16, 2015 at 11:52 am
Aug 17, 2015, 4:05 am
#416
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
My friend had a flight TLV - IST - MAN the last departure of the day from TLV, then from there took the next morning connection to MAN, with overnight layover of 8hr 10 min, and was told that there must be no possible shorter connection on both ends, meaning, that even though the next possible connection for him to MAN was over 8 hours after his first flight arrived, since he could have left TLV on an early morning flight and still got the connection to MAN, he is not eligible for a hotel.
So the rule seems to be that only eligible for hotel when no possible shorter connection on both ends.
Maybe this is obvious to some.
So the rule seems to be that only eligible for hotel when no possible shorter connection on both ends.
Maybe this is obvious to some.
Aug 30, 2015, 6:04 pm
#417
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 283
I have now read through this entire thread (and wiki) and cannot find my answer. Are TK flights from EU countries considered 'international' flights? i.e., flying from Malta to IST on last flight out, 12 hour stop. Next morning IST - BCN on first flight out.
Eligible for hotel in this case?
Anyone have experience re this?
Eligible for hotel in this case?
Anyone have experience re this?
Aug 30, 2015, 11:34 pm
#418
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
I have now read through this entire thread (and wiki) and cannot find my answer. Are TK flights from EU countries considered 'international' flights? i.e., flying from Malta to IST on last flight out, 12 hour stop. Next morning IST - BCN on first flight out.
Eligible for hotel in this case?
Anyone have experience re this?
Eligible for hotel in this case?
Anyone have experience re this?
Aug 31, 2015, 5:39 am
#419
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: TRN
Programs: AB Gold, Az gold, Tk gold
Posts: 94
Trn - Gru
Hi all,
during next months i will have a flight with some friends (9 people totally).
The segment are TRN-IST ---> 13H layover and then IST-GRU.
The return is pretty the same.
The reservations is in W class (the lowest)
4 people out of 9 are TK Elite.
Are we eligible to have the free accomodation? Ithink yes based on the rules but the W class is worrying me.
Regards
during next months i will have a flight with some friends (9 people totally).
The segment are TRN-IST ---> 13H layover and then IST-GRU.
The return is pretty the same.
The reservations is in W class (the lowest)
4 people out of 9 are TK Elite.
Are we eligible to have the free accomodation? Ithink yes based on the rules but the W class is worrying me.
Regards
Aug 31, 2015, 8:42 am
#420
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 22
Could someone help determine if I would be eligible for the free layover hotel?
Saturday, January 16th: FCO -> IST: Arrive at IST 10:40PM
Sunday, January 17th: IST -> ORD: Depart IST at 1:40PM
Total Layover: 15 Hours
If I am eligible what time is the hotel desk open until? Is it easy enough to take public transport to a hotel? Or should I plan on taking a taxi (what would the costs be)?
Thanks!
Saturday, January 16th: FCO -> IST: Arrive at IST 10:40PM
Sunday, January 17th: IST -> ORD: Depart IST at 1:40PM
Total Layover: 15 Hours
If I am eligible what time is the hotel desk open until? Is it easy enough to take public transport to a hotel? Or should I plan on taking a taxi (what would the costs be)?
Thanks!