Oct 28, 2019, 12:32 am
Last edit by: sammyg901
Last Updated: 21 AUG 2021
Due to various changes to the TK IT-system booking partner awards has taken a great step back. Details below.
Online: Potentially working?
See recent (July 2022) posts - it seems possible to ticket *A online IF you can find availability. A lot of availability does not show. If you can see X or I class on ua.com but not on turkishairlines.com then likely a ticket office can assist
Since August 2021 the online *A ticket payment flow is broken ("continue" button does not appear on the credit card entry page) so transactions cannot be completed. No known workarounds
From 18 Nov 19, you may continue to book partner awards online for selected airlines, routes and options. Not all options that you could book with another partner is bookable through the TK website.
Availability could be checked online via the United website without being a MileagePlus member with the book with miles tool at the flight search engine. Note: For UA flights, check 'X' fare bucket, for other airlines check Saver Award.
TK Hotline: Partially working
From recent reports ( fall 2020 ) in this thread, it is now possible to book *A awards from the TK hotline although still, not all agents are capable to do it; you might need to HUACA multiple times to find an agent that knows how to book *A awards. Although, it's strongly suggested to make your own research on availability before calling them.
Sales Office: Working
A sales office could book *A award tickets. You could call, e-mail or visit them in person. Some offices do not answer phones or do not reply to e-mails so visiting them in person would improve your chances to book a *A award ticket.
First class award: Not working
TK has stopped issuing first class awards since at least September 2019.
Due to various changes to the TK IT-system booking partner awards has taken a great step back. Details below.
Online: Potentially working?
See recent (July 2022) posts - it seems possible to ticket *A online IF you can find availability. A lot of availability does not show. If you can see X or I class on ua.com but not on turkishairlines.com then likely a ticket office can assist
Availability could be checked online via the United website without being a MileagePlus member with the book with miles tool at the flight search engine. Note: For UA flights, check 'X' fare bucket, for other airlines check Saver Award.
TK Hotline: Partially working
From recent reports ( fall 2020 ) in this thread, it is now possible to book *A awards from the TK hotline although still, not all agents are capable to do it; you might need to HUACA multiple times to find an agent that knows how to book *A awards. Although, it's strongly suggested to make your own research on availability before calling them.
Sales Office: Working
A sales office could book *A award tickets. You could call, e-mail or visit them in person. Some offices do not answer phones or do not reply to e-mails so visiting them in person would improve your chances to book a *A award ticket.
First class award: Not working
TK has stopped issuing first class awards since at least September 2019.
Everything You need to know about booking Star Alliance awards with Miles&Smiles
Jun 30, 2017, 12:12 am
#136
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 636
Did anybody ever manage to get the operating airline booking reference from Turkish Airlines?
I have an award ticket issued by Turkish Airlines, on a flight operated by Air Canada. Turkish Airline cannot provide me Air Canada booking reference. I have tried HUCA six times (with Turkey and US offices) and they don't seem to understand there exists an Air Canada booking reference ... Frustrating ...
I have an award ticket issued by Turkish Airlines, on a flight operated by Air Canada. Turkish Airline cannot provide me Air Canada booking reference. I have tried HUCA six times (with Turkey and US offices) and they don't seem to understand there exists an Air Canada booking reference ... Frustrating ...
Jul 6, 2017, 9:05 am
#137
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
For future reference, the Toronto office is able to handle Air Canada reward bookings via email. After three or four messages back and forth for the required documents and credit card details, I just had them ticket two North American rewards on AC ($293CAD for taxes and 40,000 miles for two tickets). You can reach them at: [email protected]
I searched on Aeroplan first and fed them the exact itinerary that I wanted.
I searched on Aeroplan first and fed them the exact itinerary that I wanted.
YOW-LHR one-way 30k miles:
185.00YQ 23.00SQ 25.91CA 2.99RC
Toplam / Total : CAD 236.90
Full YQ though.....
Jul 6, 2017, 9:19 am
#138
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 312
Thank you @Garbageman. I wouldn't imagine I can do a *A redemption using my Turkish miles until today. I fed exact itin to the Toronto office, sign some forms, email some IDs and eticket issued.
YOW-LHR one-way 30k miles:
185.00YQ 23.00SQ 25.91CA 2.99RC
Toplam / Total : CAD 236.90
Full YQ though.....
YOW-LHR one-way 30k miles:
185.00YQ 23.00SQ 25.91CA 2.99RC
Toplam / Total : CAD 236.90
Full YQ though.....
Jul 11, 2017, 7:46 am
#139
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite Plus, SAS EBG, QR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,297
I successfully issued a Business Class award ticket from Stockholm to Sydney/Melbourne on Thai Airways yesterday. There were however some issued with the pricing. According to the chart and in the booking, the award would cost 105K miles. When ticketing they charged 150K which is the price of Far East to Oceania. It makes no sense why it's more expensive to fly from Asia to Australia than it is from Europe. So in practice since there are no direct flights from Europe to Australia, you have to transit via Australia or India hence pay the higher price.
Jul 24, 2017, 4:46 pm
#140
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: FAR
Programs: TK Elite+, *A Gold, ITA Executive, SkyTeam Elite Plus, HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 85
I just had the infuriating experience of booking an award flight with my Turkish miles. After HUCAing 3 times, I received a confirmation for my flight tomorrow on UA from FAR-ORD-DCA early tomorrow morning. They then instructed me to call the ticket office to pay taxes, but couldn't see the amount. JFK, IAD, ATL, MIA, ORD, IAH are all closed at 17:30 EST and CST, so I called LAX and left a message as they did not answer. SFO didn't answer either and didn't have a voicemail. What do I do if they don't call me back? The email confirmation I received indicated I need to "pick up" the ticket by 01:55 FAR time tonight/tomorrow morning. Should I go to FAR and talk to UA agents?
Jul 24, 2017, 5:20 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
UA will not be able to do anything for you as thís is a TK ticket.
To have the ticket issued you need to get in contact with a TK ticket office. Normally, you need to go there to have the ticket issued, but try to call the US TK offices again once open to see if anything can be done. Worst case scenario is that the ticket will not be issued in time and hence you will not be able to fly.
Booking TK award tickets on short notice is really not recommended given the annoying procedure that TK call center will not be able to deal with payment of taxes, YQ etc nor to issue the ticket but this needs to be done in person at a TK ticket office.
I wouldn't expect any call back from a TK office.
To have the ticket issued you need to get in contact with a TK ticket office. Normally, you need to go there to have the ticket issued, but try to call the US TK offices again once open to see if anything can be done. Worst case scenario is that the ticket will not be issued in time and hence you will not be able to fly.
Booking TK award tickets on short notice is really not recommended given the annoying procedure that TK call center will not be able to deal with payment of taxes, YQ etc nor to issue the ticket but this needs to be done in person at a TK ticket office.
I wouldn't expect any call back from a TK office.
Jul 24, 2017, 5:26 pm
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
I successfully issued a Business Class award ticket from Stockholm to Sydney/Melbourne on Thai Airways yesterday. There were however some issued with the pricing. According to the chart and in the booking, the award would cost 105K miles. When ticketing they charged 150K which is the price of Far East to Oceania. It makes no sense why it's more expensive to fly from Asia to Australia than it is from Europe. So in practice since there are no direct flights from Europe to Australia, you have to transit via Australia or India hence pay the higher price.
Jul 24, 2017, 5:54 pm
#143
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: FAR
Programs: TK Elite+, *A Gold, ITA Executive, SkyTeam Elite Plus, HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 85
UA will not be able to do anything for you as thís is a TK ticket.
To have the ticket issued you need to get in contact with a TK ticket office. Normally, you need to go there to have the ticket issued, but try to call the US TK offices again once open to see if anything can be done. Worst case scenario is that the ticket will not be issued in time and hence you will not be able to fly.
Booking TK award tickets on short notice is really not recommended given the annoying procedure that TK call center will not be able to deal with payment of taxes, YQ etc nor to issue the ticket but this needs to be done in person at a TK ticket office.
I wouldn't expect any call back from a TK office.
To have the ticket issued you need to get in contact with a TK ticket office. Normally, you need to go there to have the ticket issued, but try to call the US TK offices again once open to see if anything can be done. Worst case scenario is that the ticket will not be issued in time and hence you will not be able to fly.
Booking TK award tickets on short notice is really not recommended given the annoying procedure that TK call center will not be able to deal with payment of taxes, YQ etc nor to issue the ticket but this needs to be done in person at a TK ticket office.
I wouldn't expect any call back from a TK office.
Jul 25, 2017, 1:48 am
#145
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite Plus, SAS EBG, QR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,297
It's not about what is or what's not a realistic price. If it clearly states 105K on the award chart, I expect them to honor that price.
Aug 11, 2017, 12:15 pm
#147
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia and Stockholm, Sweden
Programs: VA Platinum, SQ Gold, TK Gold, Hhonors Gold, Accor Plus Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Premium
Posts: 1,022
Successful booking made
what an experience, but I've just managed to successfully book a reward flight. SYD-ARN J for two. As another poster has pointed out 105,000 is the quoted points but it's wrong. Even the call centre quoted me that mileage several times but the correct miles is 150,000.
i called the call centre several times and had no luck. Once I was quoted 240,000 miles.
the Stockholm sales office was even worse. They never answered the phone and one day when I went there in person they just took all the details and promised somebody would call me within a week. Of course they didn't.
my only joy came from the Sydney sales office. They did it all over the phone, allowed me to do a bank transfer for the taxes (etc) - no credit card accepted.
Thanks Sydney office - I was at a total dead end otherwise.
i called the call centre several times and had no luck. Once I was quoted 240,000 miles.
the Stockholm sales office was even worse. They never answered the phone and one day when I went there in person they just took all the details and promised somebody would call me within a week. Of course they didn't.
my only joy came from the Sydney sales office. They did it all over the phone, allowed me to do a bank transfer for the taxes (etc) - no credit card accepted.
Thanks Sydney office - I was at a total dead end otherwise.
Aug 20, 2017, 12:55 pm
#148
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, AA 1MM, UA 1MM
Posts: 369
List of sales offices?
Is there a list of local TK offices somewhere, ideally with contact info (phone number, email)? This would be very helpful for ticketing. I looked online but did not find this information.
Aug 20, 2017, 1:57 pm
#149
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Aug 21, 2017, 9:10 am
#150
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: BOS / ICN
Programs: nothing but freebies
Posts: 250
Stopover with oneway TK metal Award
Is stopover allowed for an one-way award? Can I stopover at IST if I fly JFK-IST-MLE?
How about *A award?
How about *A award?
Last edited by edta450; Aug 21, 2017 at 9:23 am