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
Mar 2, 2017, 2:51 pm
#108
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
Can anybody tell me if the *A UPGRADE table shown at http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...-upgrade-award
is one way or return?
Also, the award rules says the upgrades are per segment. So if I book SYD-ARN is it one upgrade or two?
Also, are there any additional taxes payable above the original fare?
Many thanks in advance.
is one way or return?
Also, the award rules says the upgrades are per segment. So if I book SYD-ARN is it one upgrade or two?
Also, are there any additional taxes payable above the original fare?
Many thanks in advance.
Mar 4, 2017, 4:07 am
#109
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Programs: TK Elite, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver
Posts: 967
Mar 8, 2017, 11:19 pm
#110
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 678
I was trying to book a direct flight from YYZ to YYJ in the summer.
I was able to confirm availability on the direct flight on Aeroplan.com (unfortunately it is now Rouge instead of AC mainline), however, the TK agent over the phone could not see any availability for the AC Rouge(YYZ-YYJ), or AC Express (YVR-YYJ). He said when he searched the specific flight, the system doesn't show anything to him, not even X0 I0 like what he normally see on AC mainline.
I ended up asking him to reserve YYZ-YVR on AC mainline for now. He directed me to visit an office to calculate tax and issue the ticket.
Anyone successfully booked AC rouge or express tickets?
I was able to confirm availability on the direct flight on Aeroplan.com (unfortunately it is now Rouge instead of AC mainline), however, the TK agent over the phone could not see any availability for the AC Rouge(YYZ-YYJ), or AC Express (YVR-YYJ). He said when he searched the specific flight, the system doesn't show anything to him, not even X0 I0 like what he normally see on AC mainline.
I ended up asking him to reserve YYZ-YVR on AC mainline for now. He directed me to visit an office to calculate tax and issue the ticket.
Anyone successfully booked AC rouge or express tickets?
Mar 9, 2017, 2:10 pm
#111
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 678
Ok - I went to their Toronto office today. A few learnings:
1) Yes, you can book award ticket on AC Rouge or Express. However, their system wont see availability, but the office agent can request from AC. It took a few minutes to get confirmation for the seat that I wanted and saw on AP.com
2) Regarding taxes, they charge the all-in taxes and fees for the LOWEST REVENUE ticket at the time of booking. I did a one way business class redemption, so it was about $168 calculated based on approx $1200 base fare, exactly the same as shown on AC.com. It is about double what AP charges. The fee would be lower if I booked X instead I, because the lowest tango econ fare is about $469. Overall, it is bad, but at least they are not calculating HST based on full fare Y or J...
Hope this helps.
1) Yes, you can book award ticket on AC Rouge or Express. However, their system wont see availability, but the office agent can request from AC. It took a few minutes to get confirmation for the seat that I wanted and saw on AP.com
2) Regarding taxes, they charge the all-in taxes and fees for the LOWEST REVENUE ticket at the time of booking. I did a one way business class redemption, so it was about $168 calculated based on approx $1200 base fare, exactly the same as shown on AC.com. It is about double what AP charges. The fee would be lower if I booked X instead I, because the lowest tango econ fare is about $469. Overall, it is bad, but at least they are not calculating HST based on full fare Y or J...
Hope this helps.
Mar 9, 2017, 5:35 pm
#112
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
I just had the weirdest experience today. I decided last minute that I wanted to go to San Diego this weekend from Washington DC. I started doing searches, pulling up around 500-600 dollar fares. Then I remembered that I had about 15,000 sitting in a TK account, and thought I would try my luck at an award ticket with TK. After MUCH research all day on how to go about redeeming these damned TK miles on United, I decided to email the local sales office. I got a very swift reply stating that there were no award seats available on United to San Diego all day tomorrow, on any routing for any award fares (economy or business). So then I started checking on United and saw there were PLENTY of Saver Award options, both non stop AND connecting options. So I decided to give their call center a ring (good luck, right?), got a woman, I explained the situation and my request, and she immediately regretted that there were no award seats available on United tomorrow. So then I decided to inquire about a return from San Diego to Washington DC on Sunday, and again, to no surprise, there were no award seats available on United on Sunday at all!
So then I said, so are you telling me, that there are no award seats available on United on any routing, non stop or even with stops, for ANY type of award seat? She confirmed, so then I said, well I see plenty of availability on United's website for the saver award, for many different options, why is it that you can't see it? I then proceeded to say, well, are there ever any seats available? How about I give you a date in April, will you take a look for me please? At that moment, the woman said, oh sir, I'm so sorry, it looks like there was a system outage, and now I can see availability for an award ticket for Monday. So then I asked her to recheck Friday, and sure enough, award ticket availability appeared! :O
So I booked the ticket but she told me that I had to go to the sales office by 2:55pm tomorrow to issue the ticket, and pay the taxes and fees. So I've emailed the sales office and hope they reply back to me soon with a credit card authorization so I can pay for the taxes.
Wish me luck for the next part!
So then I said, so are you telling me, that there are no award seats available on United on any routing, non stop or even with stops, for ANY type of award seat? She confirmed, so then I said, well I see plenty of availability on United's website for the saver award, for many different options, why is it that you can't see it? I then proceeded to say, well, are there ever any seats available? How about I give you a date in April, will you take a look for me please? At that moment, the woman said, oh sir, I'm so sorry, it looks like there was a system outage, and now I can see availability for an award ticket for Monday. So then I asked her to recheck Friday, and sure enough, award ticket availability appeared! :O
So I booked the ticket but she told me that I had to go to the sales office by 2:55pm tomorrow to issue the ticket, and pay the taxes and fees. So I've emailed the sales office and hope they reply back to me soon with a credit card authorization so I can pay for the taxes.
Wish me luck for the next part!
Mar 9, 2017, 10:10 pm
#113
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 678
I just had the weirdest experience today. I decided last minute that I wanted to go to San Diego this weekend from Washington DC. I started doing searches, pulling up around 500-600 dollar fares. Then I remembered that I had about 15,000 sitting in a TK account, and thought I would try my luck at an award ticket with TK. After MUCH research all day on how to go about redeeming these damned TK miles on United, I decided to email the local sales office. I got a very swift reply stating that there were no award seats available on United to San Diego all day tomorrow, on any routing for any award fares (economy or business). So then I started checking on United and saw there were PLENTY of Saver Award options, both non stop AND connecting options. So I decided to give their call center a ring (good luck, right?), got a woman, I explained the situation and my request, and she immediately regretted that there were no award seats available on United tomorrow. So then I decided to inquire about a return from San Diego to Washington DC on Sunday, and again, to no surprise, there were no award seats available on United on Sunday at all!
So then I said, so are you telling me, that there are no award seats available on United on any routing, non stop or even with stops, for ANY type of award seat? She confirmed, so then I said, well I see plenty of availability on United's website for the saver award, for many different options, why is it that you can't see it? I then proceeded to say, well, are there ever any seats available? How about I give you a date in April, will you take a look for me please? At that moment, the woman said, oh sir, I'm so sorry, it looks like there was a system outage, and now I can see availability for an award ticket for Monday. So then I asked her to recheck Friday, and sure enough, award ticket availability appeared! :O
So I booked the ticket but she told me that I had to go to the sales office by 2:55pm tomorrow to issue the ticket, and pay the taxes and fees. So I've emailed the sales office and hope they reply back to me soon with a credit card authorization so I can pay for the taxes.
Wish me luck for the next part!
So then I said, so are you telling me, that there are no award seats available on United on any routing, non stop or even with stops, for ANY type of award seat? She confirmed, so then I said, well I see plenty of availability on United's website for the saver award, for many different options, why is it that you can't see it? I then proceeded to say, well, are there ever any seats available? How about I give you a date in April, will you take a look for me please? At that moment, the woman said, oh sir, I'm so sorry, it looks like there was a system outage, and now I can see availability for an award ticket for Monday. So then I asked her to recheck Friday, and sure enough, award ticket availability appeared! :O
So I booked the ticket but she told me that I had to go to the sales office by 2:55pm tomorrow to issue the ticket, and pay the taxes and fees. So I've emailed the sales office and hope they reply back to me soon with a credit card authorization so I can pay for the taxes.
Wish me luck for the next part!
Mar 29, 2017, 5:42 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Air France Flying blue Platinum, TK ELITE STAR ALLIANCE GOLD
Posts: 16
Purchase of LOT flights with Miles&Smiles miles
Hello,
Probably there is an existing thread but I couldnt find it.
I am wondering if anybody knows how can I purschase LOT Polish Ailrines award ticket with miles from my Miles&Smiles account.
Can I do it online somehow or I need to make a call?
Probably there is an existing thread but I couldnt find it.
I am wondering if anybody knows how can I purschase LOT Polish Ailrines award ticket with miles from my Miles&Smiles account.
Can I do it online somehow or I need to make a call?
Mar 29, 2017, 5:47 am
#115
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
It's not that hard to find:
Everything You need to know about booking Star Alliance awards with Miles&Smiles
Everything You need to know about booking Star Alliance awards with Miles&Smiles
Apr 14, 2017, 1:28 am
#117
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
I'm not sure there is one. I've tried a few different tools and all show more availability than what TK offers when I call them. Calling twice can product different results too.
I like their easy path to earn and keep Gold, but if it's so hard to redeem points what's the point?
I like their easy path to earn and keep Gold, but if it's so hard to redeem points what's the point?
Apr 14, 2017, 2:06 am
#118
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat
Posts: 865
Apr 21, 2017, 10:27 am
#119
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SCQ
Programs: tk gold, lh ftl, ab gold
Posts: 352
Anyone succeeded to book IST-SIN on SQ in biz? The availability actually doesn't appear on United website, for example, but using LifeMiles you can book this ticket.
And if yes, would it be 45000 miles one-way (as far as i understand, there is no difference now in fares on TK metal and on partners)? Thanks
And if yes, would it be 45000 miles one-way (as far as i understand, there is no difference now in fares on TK metal and on partners)? Thanks
Apr 22, 2017, 1:59 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,050
Anyone succeeded to book IST-SIN on SQ in biz? The availability actually doesn't appear on United website, for example, but using LifeMiles you can book this ticket.
And if yes, would it be 45000 miles one-way (as far as i understand, there is no difference now in fares on TK metal and on partners)? Thanks
And if yes, would it be 45000 miles one-way (as far as i understand, there is no difference now in fares on TK metal and on partners)? Thanks
BTW, IST-SIN is a fairly well-known sweetspot with Krisflyer, where you don't have that problem.