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
Nov 26, 2015, 12:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
Nov 27, 2015, 1:51 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Today I called to make another award booking. Since I am paying with miles from a different account, I asked the agent whether it was possible to deduct miles from two different accounts to make the payment, which he said yes. My award costs 24500 miles so I plan to deduct 11000 miles from my sister's account and 13500 miles from my Mother's account which should be 24500.
Is it really possible to do this, or did the agent simply misunderstand my question? It would be great if it was possible, since then I don't have to pay the $135 transfer fee.
Is it really possible to do this, or did the agent simply misunderstand my question? It would be great if it was possible, since then I don't have to pay the $135 transfer fee.
Dec 7, 2015, 6:44 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: TK Elite Plus, IC Plat Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 921
Having more than 1 carrier should not result in having pricing as 2 separate awards.
Just booked 2 one way awards YVR-(AC)-NRT-(NH)-NGO FOR 45,000 miles each.
Last year booked one way YVR-(UA)-ORD-(TK)-IST-THESSALONKI in C, and a one way ATH-IST-(TK)-SFO-(UA)-YVR in Y for 50% of the return mileage for each.
If booking 2 or more carriers resulted in pricing each segment as a separate award it would be in the t&c's.
Just booked 2 one way awards YVR-(AC)-NRT-(NH)-NGO FOR 45,000 miles each.
Last year booked one way YVR-(UA)-ORD-(TK)-IST-THESSALONKI in C, and a one way ATH-IST-(TK)-SFO-(UA)-YVR in Y for 50% of the return mileage for each.
If booking 2 or more carriers resulted in pricing each segment as a separate award it would be in the t&c's.
Dec 10, 2015, 6:43 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite Plus, SAS EBG, QR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,297
Dec 16, 2015, 7:47 am
#21
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,105
Apologies if it's a stupid question, but I have some difficulty to understand clearly TK *A partner award table... what's the TK miles amount needed for BRU-GVA or BRU-FRA-GVA oneway in Y with SN or LH? 15k or 10k? And how to know the related taxes/fee amount in advance?
Thank you
Thank you
Dec 16, 2015, 1:56 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite Plus, SAS EBG, QR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,297
Apologies if it's a stupid question, but I have some difficulty to understand clearly TK *A partner award table... what's the TK miles amount needed for BRU-GVA or BRU-FRA-GVA oneway in Y with SN or LH? 15k or 10k? And how to know the related taxes/fee amount in advance?
Thank you
Thank you
Feb 4, 2016, 3:26 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: who knows!
Programs: FB PFL, TK Gold, PC Platinum
Posts: 442
Feb 6, 2016, 8:14 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ZRH
Programs: TK Miles&Smiles Elite, IB Plus Plata
Posts: 62
I tried to book an award flight on Lufthansa over the phone with no success. First agent claimed after about 2 seconds that she checked all the flights and there is zero availability. I did not even tell her which flight I want so I guess she did not check at all. I just told her that I want to fly from Zurich to Bangalore on Lufthansa. Second agent claimed that I can only book flights with TK over the phone. For Star Alliance flights I would have to go to a TK sales office. So I gave up for today.
Now I have got a few questions,
- If there is availability for first class award travel on united.com does that also mean that TK has got the same availability? On united.com you can chose between first standard awards and first saver awards. Does this matter to TK e.g.
first standard award availability is necessary for TK?
- On the return, the first leg would be operated by Air India, 2nd and 3rd leg is on Lufthansa. I read in this thread that all flights must be operated by the same carrier otherwise one will be charged more miles. Does this rule still apply?
And last question does anybody know how much I approximately need to spend for the taxes for a flight in first class on LH to India or Dubai?
Now I have got a few questions,
- If there is availability for first class award travel on united.com does that also mean that TK has got the same availability? On united.com you can chose between first standard awards and first saver awards. Does this matter to TK e.g.
first standard award availability is necessary for TK?
- On the return, the first leg would be operated by Air India, 2nd and 3rd leg is on Lufthansa. I read in this thread that all flights must be operated by the same carrier otherwise one will be charged more miles. Does this rule still apply?
And last question does anybody know how much I approximately need to spend for the taxes for a flight in first class on LH to India or Dubai?
Feb 15, 2016, 9:31 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
So, checking on availability from NA to Central Asia (IND) for example:
http://www.new-milesandsmiles.com/index_en.html quotes TK charging 77K for one-way in F.
But on UA website, it's almost double at 140K for LAX-ICN in F on OZ and ICN-DEL in J on OZ. Is TK M&S that good of a deal? Am I missing something here?
http://www.new-milesandsmiles.com/index_en.html quotes TK charging 77K for one-way in F.
But on UA website, it's almost double at 140K for LAX-ICN in F on OZ and ICN-DEL in J on OZ. Is TK M&S that good of a deal? Am I missing something here?
Feb 15, 2016, 12:40 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: DTW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titainum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 142
UA doesn't have fuel surcharges, so there's that. But yeah, Turkish's redemption rates on premium cabins is pretty good. Well, except, its a LOT easier and quicker to get United miles vs. Turkish.
Feb 15, 2016, 7:33 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
Yes. Have you read through the experiences on this thread on what it takes to
a) manage to talk to a TK employee who knows what Star Alliance Rewards are
b) finds the partner-operated flights you want
c) is able and willing to find reward space in First Class
d) can somehow ticket you the same, and process your credit card for the taxes and fees?
I wish you luck. And once you found this person, maybe she/he can fix world hunger as well?
a) manage to talk to a TK employee who knows what Star Alliance Rewards are
b) finds the partner-operated flights you want
c) is able and willing to find reward space in First Class
d) can somehow ticket you the same, and process your credit card for the taxes and fees?
I wish you luck. And once you found this person, maybe she/he can fix world hunger as well?
Feb 16, 2016, 9:12 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Yes. Have you read through the experiences on this thread on what it takes to
a) manage to talk to a TK employee who knows what Star Alliance Rewards are
b) finds the partner-operated flights you want
c) is able and willing to find reward space in First Class
d) can somehow ticket you the same, and process your credit card for the taxes and fees?
I wish you luck. And once you found this person, maybe she/he can fix world hunger as well?
a) manage to talk to a TK employee who knows what Star Alliance Rewards are
b) finds the partner-operated flights you want
c) is able and willing to find reward space in First Class
d) can somehow ticket you the same, and process your credit card for the taxes and fees?
I wish you luck. And once you found this person, maybe she/he can fix world hunger as well?
Anyways, this is probably not a place to discuss that. However, I was hoping that if you go to a city-ticketing office in-person, the agents would likely be more competent than the ones on the phone. And you can actually coach them/show them how/what award flights you want.
I heard LAX airport office is pretty good in that regard? Anyone know of their offices in IAD/DC area?