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
Jul 9, 2019, 12:55 am
#496
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
i think the rule is actually 3 segments on a one-way. i tried really hard (4+ hours, 3 sales offices including one in person, many many phone calls) to ticket TNR-IST/ADD-MAD- BOG-MDE on a single ticket, and nobody was able to price it. TNR-IST/ADD-MAD-BOG priced just fine and was issued in <10 mins.
Jul 9, 2019, 3:44 am
#497
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FRA
Programs: M&M FTL, TK*EPL, A3*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 125
Hey guys,
Recently I wanted to book some flights mentioned above, for example SYD-ICN-HNL, business class on Asiana Airlines for May/June next Year. I double checked on United and ANA website, it seemed available. As suggested above, I tried to use Stockholm ticket office instead of useless customer care.
Unfortunately I've just got response that, basically, nothing is available (even if it's stil available on United/ANA/Miles More).
Then I tried to book some other flights from SYD to Europe (LHR/CDG) I picked, but same situation as above. It's available everywhere but in Miles & Smiles.
Just curious if you've got any suggestions? Should I try to pick earlier dates, maybe different office? I'm not in a hurry, but I really wanted to burn some miles this year.
Thanks!
Recently I wanted to book some flights mentioned above, for example SYD-ICN-HNL, business class on Asiana Airlines for May/June next Year. I double checked on United and ANA website, it seemed available. As suggested above, I tried to use Stockholm ticket office instead of useless customer care.
Unfortunately I've just got response that, basically, nothing is available (even if it's stil available on United/ANA/Miles More).
Then I tried to book some other flights from SYD to Europe (LHR/CDG) I picked, but same situation as above. It's available everywhere but in Miles & Smiles.
Just curious if you've got any suggestions? Should I try to pick earlier dates, maybe different office? I'm not in a hurry, but I really wanted to burn some miles this year.
Thanks!
Last edited by pull_over; Jul 9, 2019 at 4:15 am
Jul 9, 2019, 9:10 am
#500
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
I know the hotline does not have the best reputation but have you tried them? The last few times I was pleasantly surprised and was able to book and pay for Star Alliance awards. I called the international/English line.
Tell the agent exactly the flight numbers you want to book. The agent I spoke with initially didn't see availability but then "refreshed" his screen (whatever that means) and then saw lots of availability.
Maybe worth a try ..
Tell the agent exactly the flight numbers you want to book. The agent I spoke with initially didn't see availability but then "refreshed" his screen (whatever that means) and then saw lots of availability.
Maybe worth a try ..
Jul 9, 2019, 12:23 pm
#501
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
I just called the hotline, and you are right. I fed the agent the specific Star Alliance flight I wanted and she found it available and quoted me the (awesome) M&S price. If I had some miles in my account (which I will very shortly) she would have booked the flight for me over the phone right then.
Jul 9, 2019, 12:25 pm
#502
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
I just called the hotline, and you are right. I fed the agent the specific Star Alliance flight I wanted and she found it available and quoted me the (awesome) M&S price. If I had some miles in my account (which I will very shortly) she would have booked the flight for me over the phone right then.
Jul 9, 2019, 11:18 pm
#503
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 209
I just called the hotline, and you are right. I fed the agent the specific Star Alliance flight I wanted and she found it available and quoted me the (awesome) M&S price. If I had some miles in my account (which I will very shortly) she would have booked the flight for me over the phone right then.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:30 am
#504
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FRA
Programs: M&M FTL, TK*EPL, A3*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 125
I know the hotline does not have the best reputation but have you tried them? The last few times I was pleasantly surprised and was able to book and pay for Star Alliance awards. I called the international/English line.
Tell the agent exactly the flight numbers you want to book. The agent I spoke with initially didn't see availability but then "refreshed" his screen (whatever that means) and then saw lots of availability.
Maybe worth a try ..
Jul 10, 2019, 3:58 am
#505
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I tried it yesterday but with same result. Nothing was available in business, basically the girl looked through whole March, April, May and June and she claimed there's nothing available to fly from SYD to HNL and from SYD to Europe. Pretty sad as I managed to collect more than 200k miles in Turkish but they seem useless, but I'll try to call again few times in this week.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:59 am
#506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Jul 10, 2019, 4:25 am
#507
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FRA
Programs: M&M FTL, TK*EPL, A3*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 125
Checking availability via united.com helps a lot when you need availability in routes with high demand. It doesn't require a MileagePlus membership and you could simply look at Star Alliance Award Availability via the "Book with Miles option". All Economy Saver and Business Saver awards that United offers to their own members should be offered by TK to their own members.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:29 am
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Correct. As mentioned in my first post, I searched few routes using United and double checked with Miles & More. Those flights were available (Biz saver on United) in other programs, but when I called or e-mailed Turkish they told me they don't even see those flights, not to mention they don't see any seats available (for some reason the lady from service center told me I could fly onboard Turkish Airlines BUT there are no seats in biz; not sure why I should care?)
If there is still availability via United MP or/and Lufthansa M&M and if you are close to a local sales office, I would suggest you try your luck over there.
Jul 10, 2019, 5:28 am
#509
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FRA
Programs: M&M FTL, TK*EPL, A3*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 125
I'll check Turkish Office next month when I'll be traveling across Europe, but I tried to reach few offices by phone or e-mail (Stockholm, Washington) and it seems they have exactly the same availability.
Jul 10, 2019, 5:37 am
#510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
No worries! Just wanted to know if you know any tips how to book such flights or maybe you know some additional constraints, like some airlines or dates or cabin class
I'll check Turkish Office next month when I'll be traveling across Europe, but I tried to reach few offices by phone or e-mail (Stockholm, Washington) and it seems they have exactly the same availability.
I'll check Turkish Office next month when I'll be traveling across Europe, but I tried to reach few offices by phone or e-mail (Stockholm, Washington) and it seems they have exactly the same availability.
From my own experiences, the easiest airlines to find availability on Miles&Smiles are LOT Polish and EVA Air.
Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, United, Air Canada are the hardest partners to book. I am not sure about Air China or ANA but they're also hard to find availability.
Also, some airlines do open extra space at a closer date to the flight for Star Alliance awards ( Saver ) when the loads are less than expected.
Also, a tip for connecting itineraries would be that try to book each segment separately. In some cases, that works while two flights in a single ticket don't work. However, it might not be worth the pain for rechecking bags, clearing immigration ( if necessary ), etc...