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
Jun 10, 2018, 7:53 am
#796
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Hopefully TK continues to provide free hotel after they move to the new airport.
Jun 10, 2018, 11:35 am
#797
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
On the TK's website, it says both TK1752 ant TK1754 passenger connecting to Montreal/Toronto with next day TK35/TK17 will have free accommodation WITH a HOTEL SYMBOL???.
I note that to benefit from the TK's hotel, one must choose the SHORTEST possible time with 7 hours of a layover with econ passengers. Since TK1752 would not be the SHORTEST possible layover in IST, may I know whether it still qualify for a free accommodation?
I note that to benefit from the TK's hotel, one must choose the SHORTEST possible time with 7 hours of a layover with econ passengers. Since TK1752 would not be the SHORTEST possible layover in IST, may I know whether it still qualify for a free accommodation?
I've successfully been given a hotel in a similar situation, without any issues. In my case (like yours), both options gave connections that were greater than 7 hours (business class), but I had selected the longer of the two. I was expecting some pushback on the basis that there had been a shorter connection available, but I was going to point out it was >7 hours anyway so I would still have been eligible, but in the end I didn't need to say a word!
If I look at option for TLV-IST-SFO (which has option with connections <10 hours and >10 hours, depending on which inbound flight you catch) it's showing the TourIstanbul logo for the forced longer connections, but not the hotel logo. This makes it seem like if there is a shorter option available (including a different inbound flight) and you don't take it then you don't get a hotel, but if there is no <10 hour option available then you can take a longer option and still get the hotel.
One way or another, I'd be taking a screenshot/printout of what you've got above along with me to the hotel desk just in case...
That said, hotels are so cheap in IST at the moment, even if you don't get one for free it's worth the small extra cost to spend some time there!
Jun 11, 2018, 1:40 pm
#798
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
In case you wanna know what TK replied me just now:
And when I replied to them to ask specific, they asked me to call their hotline. In a nutshell, nothing has been answered. However, I have been advised by the HK reservation team that the LONGER layover is not possible. IST's hotel is cheap anyway. I'd rather book it and see what may happen.
Dear Tobias,
We would like to declare that as Turkish Airlines, we carry out our activities in the services sector in accordance with certain rules. The various kinds of tickets we offer for the use of our passengers each have their own rules and limitations of use. The terms of use are communicated at the time of sale to our passengers. The rules and regulations to which the ticket is subject gain validity after purchase and alterations/returns to tickets are carried out as per the rules for the ticket.
In addition, referring to your message, please be advised that in order for Turkish Airlines to provide day-use hotel service to transit passengers the connection time between two international flights should be 10 hours where as it is 7 hours for Business Class passengers. (Also, passenger should purchase ticket with a connection flight which is Turkish Airlines own schedule).The hotels are booked when passenger arrives in Istanbul and which hotel passenger will be booked depends on room availability. Thus, you need to apply to the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Atatürk Airport after passport control. Also, we would like to inform you that passengers should have visa, in order to be taken to the hotels in the city center. If passenger has no valid visa to get in country and there is no available room in the Airport Hotel, it is not possible to provide hotel service for passenger.
This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above.
Kind Regards,
Cenk D.
Elite / Elite Plus Customer Representative
Turkish Airlines Inc.
Customer Contact Center
And when I replied to them to ask specific, they asked me to call their hotline. In a nutshell, nothing has been answered. However, I have been advised by the HK reservation team that the LONGER layover is not possible. IST's hotel is cheap anyway. I'd rather book it and see what may happen.
Dear Tobias,
We would like to declare that as Turkish Airlines, we carry out our activities in the services sector in accordance with certain rules. The various kinds of tickets we offer for the use of our passengers each have their own rules and limitations of use. The terms of use are communicated at the time of sale to our passengers. The rules and regulations to which the ticket is subject gain validity after purchase and alterations/returns to tickets are carried out as per the rules for the ticket.
In addition, referring to your message, please be advised that in order for Turkish Airlines to provide day-use hotel service to transit passengers the connection time between two international flights should be 10 hours where as it is 7 hours for Business Class passengers. (Also, passenger should purchase ticket with a connection flight which is Turkish Airlines own schedule).The hotels are booked when passenger arrives in Istanbul and which hotel passenger will be booked depends on room availability. Thus, you need to apply to the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Atatürk Airport after passport control. Also, we would like to inform you that passengers should have visa, in order to be taken to the hotels in the city center. If passenger has no valid visa to get in country and there is no available room in the Airport Hotel, it is not possible to provide hotel service for passenger.
This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above.
Kind Regards,
Cenk D.
Elite / Elite Plus Customer Representative
Turkish Airlines Inc.
Customer Contact Center
Jun 11, 2018, 1:45 pm
#799
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, IHG (Platinum Elite), Amtrak Guest Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors
Posts: 636
In case you wanna know what TK replied me just now:
And when I replied to them to ask specific, they asked me to call their hotline. In a nutshell, nothing has been answered. However, I have been advised by the HK reservation team that the LONGER layover is not possible. IST's hotel is cheap anyway. I'd rather book it and see what may happen.
Dear Tobias,
We would like to declare that as Turkish Airlines, we carry out our activities in the services sector in accordance with certain rules. The various kinds of tickets we offer for the use of our passengers each have their own rules and limitations of use. The terms of use are communicated at the time of sale to our passengers. The rules and regulations to which the ticket is subject gain validity after purchase and alterations/returns to tickets are carried out as per the rules for the ticket.
In addition, referring to your message, please be advised that in order for Turkish Airlines to provide day-use hotel service to transit passengers the connection time between two international flights should be 10 hours where as it is 7 hours for Business Class passengers. (Also, passenger should purchase ticket with a connection flight which is Turkish Airlines own schedule).The hotels are booked when passenger arrives in Istanbul and which hotel passenger will be booked depends on room availability. Thus, you need to apply to the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Atatürk Airport after passport control. Also, we would like to inform you that passengers should have visa, in order to be taken to the hotels in the city center. If passenger has no valid visa to get in country and there is no available room in the Airport Hotel, it is not possible to provide hotel service for passenger.
This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above.
Kind Regards,
Cenk D.
Elite / Elite Plus Customer Representative
Turkish Airlines Inc.
Customer Contact Center
And when I replied to them to ask specific, they asked me to call their hotline. In a nutshell, nothing has been answered. However, I have been advised by the HK reservation team that the LONGER layover is not possible. IST's hotel is cheap anyway. I'd rather book it and see what may happen.
Dear Tobias,
We would like to declare that as Turkish Airlines, we carry out our activities in the services sector in accordance with certain rules. The various kinds of tickets we offer for the use of our passengers each have their own rules and limitations of use. The terms of use are communicated at the time of sale to our passengers. The rules and regulations to which the ticket is subject gain validity after purchase and alterations/returns to tickets are carried out as per the rules for the ticket.
In addition, referring to your message, please be advised that in order for Turkish Airlines to provide day-use hotel service to transit passengers the connection time between two international flights should be 10 hours where as it is 7 hours for Business Class passengers. (Also, passenger should purchase ticket with a connection flight which is Turkish Airlines own schedule).The hotels are booked when passenger arrives in Istanbul and which hotel passenger will be booked depends on room availability. Thus, you need to apply to the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Atatürk Airport after passport control. Also, we would like to inform you that passengers should have visa, in order to be taken to the hotels in the city center. If passenger has no valid visa to get in country and there is no available room in the Airport Hotel, it is not possible to provide hotel service for passenger.
This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above.
Kind Regards,
Cenk D.
Elite / Elite Plus Customer Representative
Turkish Airlines Inc.
Customer Contact Center
Jun 16, 2018, 8:47 am
#800
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, IHG (Platinum Elite), Amtrak Guest Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors
Posts: 636
Just flew through Istanbul with a 20 hour stopover, so I thought I'd report back. I was flying from the US to Eastern Europe, and since they only operate one flight per day to Minsk, I was forced to do a stopover for 20 hours. Cleared passport control very easily; finding the hotel desk was a bit harder, since there's 20 bazillion hotel desks, airport transfers, and tour companies there. THe Turkish Airlines airport desk is to the right once you exit into the arrivals hall, right next to the Starbucks.
I had no trouble getting the free hotel - I just handed them my boarding pass and they immediately went on to book me a hotel. They assigned me to the Hilton Garden Inn, which is some distance from the airport and also from the center of town (Sultanahmet). I opted to decline the free hotel and book my own in Sultanahmet; for $80, I got the absolutely lovely Hotel Niles, which gave me free tea and Turkish delight when I arrived.
Hope this info is helpful for any future travelers; let me know if there's anything else I can answer.
I had no trouble getting the free hotel - I just handed them my boarding pass and they immediately went on to book me a hotel. They assigned me to the Hilton Garden Inn, which is some distance from the airport and also from the center of town (Sultanahmet). I opted to decline the free hotel and book my own in Sultanahmet; for $80, I got the absolutely lovely Hotel Niles, which gave me free tea and Turkish delight when I arrived.
Hope this info is helpful for any future travelers; let me know if there's anything else I can answer.
Jun 17, 2018, 7:15 am
#801
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
Presuming you're not flying on one of the days that there is a shorter connection (some days there's a 15 hour connection, but not all days) then yes, you are eligible for a hotel.
Personally I'd suggest trying to print out something that shows this was the best/only connection option at the time you booked, as a schedule change between now and then is very possible which could change the options...
Nobody knows. I was in Istanbul last week, and the general feeling is that there is very little chance the airport will open in October as planned, but that the announcement about that will not be made until after the upcoming election (in June/July). There are hotels being built near to the new airport, but apparently most of those will not be ready by October either.
Personally I'd suggest trying to print out something that shows this was the best/only connection option at the time you booked, as a schedule change between now and then is very possible which could change the options...
Nobody knows. I was in Istanbul last week, and the general feeling is that there is very little chance the airport will open in October as planned, but that the announcement about that will not be made until after the upcoming election (in June/July). There are hotels being built near to the new airport, but apparently most of those will not be ready by October either.
Jun 17, 2018, 9:50 am
#802
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Thanks for the info. I maintain that I will be able to qualify for free transit hotel. Is there some way of getting written confirmation from THY in advance for my eligibility for hotel, by providing itinerary PRN and ticket number? And, if so, how and to whom to address the inquiry?Thanks
Jun 17, 2018, 9:52 am
#803
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, IHG (Platinum Elite), Amtrak Guest Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors
Posts: 636
Jul 15, 2018, 7:31 am
#804
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 138
Had a 13.5 hours overnight layover in early July. We were offered Renaissance Istanbul Polat for the night (biz class award tix). Transfer to/from the hotel was easy with TK minivan. We went out to have a look at the Blue Mosque. and had dinner in town. It's an amazing city. Uber rides to go out were cheap and easy too.
Jul 21, 2018, 10:05 am
#805
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
Has anyone experienced this TK WALKING TOUR & DINNER?
Was considering taking the following walking tour on a 17 hour layover.
It mentions “dinner.” Was the dinner complimentary and was the food good?
Or is it better to just book like the Hilton Doubletree Sirkeci, visit the Hagia Sophia for a few hours, and do a short walking tour and dinner on my own?
Walking Tour (16:00-2100) (4pm-9pm)
Departure from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Following the Coastal Road
Yeni Kapı Harbour
Beyazit Square
Istanbul University (outer visit)
Beyazit Tower
Old Book Market
Grand Bazaar
Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque
Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd
Column of Constantine
Hippodrome Square
German Fountain
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Obelisk of Theodosius
Blue Mosque (outer visit)
Hagia Sophia (outer visit)
Dinner
Returns to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
It mentions “dinner.” Was the dinner complimentary and was the food good?
Or is it better to just book like the Hilton Doubletree Sirkeci, visit the Hagia Sophia for a few hours, and do a short walking tour and dinner on my own?
Walking Tour (16:00-2100) (4pm-9pm)
Departure from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Following the Coastal Road
Yeni Kapı Harbour
Beyazit Square
Istanbul University (outer visit)
Beyazit Tower
Old Book Market
Grand Bazaar
Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque
Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd
Column of Constantine
Hippodrome Square
German Fountain
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Obelisk of Theodosius
Blue Mosque (outer visit)
Hagia Sophia (outer visit)
Dinner
Returns to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Jul 30, 2018, 1:22 pm
#806
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
Was considering taking the following walking tour on a 17 hour layover.
It mentions “dinner.” Was the dinner complimentary and was the food good?
Or is it better to just book like the Hilton Doubletree Sirkeci, visit the Hagia Sophia for a few hours, and do a short walking tour and dinner on my own?
Walking Tour (16:00-2100) (4pm-9pm)
Departure from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Following the Coastal Road
Yeni Kapı Harbour
Beyazit Square
Istanbul University (outer visit)
Beyazit Tower
Old Book Market
Grand Bazaar
Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque
Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd
Column of Constantine
Hippodrome Square
German Fountain
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Obelisk of Theodosius
Blue Mosque (outer visit)
Hagia Sophia (outer visit)
Dinner
Returns to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
It mentions “dinner.” Was the dinner complimentary and was the food good?
Or is it better to just book like the Hilton Doubletree Sirkeci, visit the Hagia Sophia for a few hours, and do a short walking tour and dinner on my own?
Walking Tour (16:00-2100) (4pm-9pm)
Departure from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Following the Coastal Road
Yeni Kapı Harbour
Beyazit Square
Istanbul University (outer visit)
Beyazit Tower
Old Book Market
Grand Bazaar
Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque
Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd
Column of Constantine
Hippodrome Square
German Fountain
Egyptian Obelisk
Serpentine Column
Obelisk of Theodosius
Blue Mosque (outer visit)
Hagia Sophia (outer visit)
Dinner
Returns to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Jul 30, 2018, 1:23 pm
#807
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
Anyone by any chance has an update what hotel would TK allocate to its Y class pax?
Jul 30, 2018, 1:44 pm
#808
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
On Y connections I’ve been sent to:
Courtyard Marriott
WOW
Holiday Inn Airport North
Pullman (but they said that was because I was E+)
Grand Yavuz
Aug 14, 2018, 7:42 pm
#809
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
I could book a 11 hour connection or a 15 hour connection. Since my only two choices are both above 7 hours (J) or 10 hours (Y), if I pick the 15-hour connection I still get the free hotel, right?
Aug 15, 2018, 2:09 pm
#810
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
Recently TK's website changed a little bit. They seem to have rectified that only shorter connection would be entitled with the hotel. Check again on the TK website to see whether there's a hotel symbol. However, it seems that some reported that they are able to get a hotel with the longer transaction.