Mar 4, 2020, 11:15 pm
Last edit by: ISTFlyer
As 7 November 2020, The options if your travel is affected and the informations about refunds parts are moved to the new guide thread specific to the topic.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles/2028156-guide-thread-cv-19-ticketing-changes-rebooking-cancellation-open-ticket-options.html
PLEASE LOOK AT THIS LINK TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SALES OFFICES AND TK HOTLINE NUMBERS.
Up to date info on TK cancellations and refund/re-booking conditions: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-be/announcements/coronavirus-outbreak/
This thread would continue to provide information about potential border closures, major schedule changes, and any restrictions on TK flights in the future.
Given the fast moving situation please check the TK website. Information in this thread is just guidance and may not be complete or already outdated.
The current situation is stressful and worrying for many of us, please remain friendly and calm. FT members can only give suggestions, they are not representatives of Turkish Airlines.
CURRENT SITUATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS RELATED RESTRICTIONS
TK and AnadoluJet have resumed domestic flights on 1 June 2020. Almost all domestic routes have been resumed with reduced frequencies.
TK and AnadoluJet have resumed international flights on 11 June 2020. Please consider the short-haul operations and long-haul operations threads for more details on operating routes.
* Be aware that restrictions may change at any time. Please keep in touch with the information of missions in Turkey and information on the Turkish Airlines website if you're planning to travel in the upcoming days/weeks.
Currently there are no restrictions to enter Turkey or to transfer at Turkey. There is also no COVID test requirement for both entering Turkey and transit ( unless you are departing from Pakistan or your arrival country asks for one ) and no quarantine upon entering Turkey.
Some countries have not opened their airports for passenger flights from/to Turkey so Turkish Airlines is not operating to all of their destinations. More information could be found in the respective threads.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles/2028156-guide-thread-cv-19-ticketing-changes-rebooking-cancellation-open-ticket-options.html
PLEASE LOOK AT THIS LINK TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SALES OFFICES AND TK HOTLINE NUMBERS.
Up to date info on TK cancellations and refund/re-booking conditions: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-be/announcements/coronavirus-outbreak/
This thread would continue to provide information about potential border closures, major schedule changes, and any restrictions on TK flights in the future.
Given the fast moving situation please check the TK website. Information in this thread is just guidance and may not be complete or already outdated.
The current situation is stressful and worrying for many of us, please remain friendly and calm. FT members can only give suggestions, they are not representatives of Turkish Airlines.
CURRENT SITUATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS RELATED RESTRICTIONS
TK and AnadoluJet have resumed domestic flights on 1 June 2020. Almost all domestic routes have been resumed with reduced frequencies.
TK and AnadoluJet have resumed international flights on 11 June 2020. Please consider the short-haul operations and long-haul operations threads for more details on operating routes.
* Be aware that restrictions may change at any time. Please keep in touch with the information of missions in Turkey and information on the Turkish Airlines website if you're planning to travel in the upcoming days/weeks.
Currently there are no restrictions to enter Turkey or to transfer at Turkey. There is also no COVID test requirement for both entering Turkey and transit ( unless you are departing from Pakistan or your arrival country asks for one ) and no quarantine upon entering Turkey.
Some countries have not opened their airports for passenger flights from/to Turkey so Turkish Airlines is not operating to all of their destinations. More information could be found in the respective threads.
Coronavirus: Flight cancellations and entry restrictions
Mar 18, 2021, 5:52 am
#946
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,649
BAH-IST and IST-BAH were supposed to return Feb. 1 but subsequently got canceled, and then they were supposed to be back March 1 but also got canceled. They were showing on FR24 but on TK's schedule. Now it says the flights will be back in March two days a week, but no schedule in sight. Can anyone find out when they might be back?
Mar 23, 2021, 10:39 am
#947
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: N/A
Posts: 823
I tried to look through posts from the last few months but could not find an answer.
For testing requirement the language from the government says 72 hours from your "First embarkation point". TK website says 72 hours from the departure from the country of origin.
So so example if I am flying LAX-JFK-IST, would the test need to be within 72 hours of departure from LAX or from JFK?
For testing requirement the language from the government says 72 hours from your "First embarkation point". TK website says 72 hours from the departure from the country of origin.
So so example if I am flying LAX-JFK-IST, would the test need to be within 72 hours of departure from LAX or from JFK?
Mar 23, 2021, 10:57 am
#948
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: 14,185
I tried to look through posts from the last few months but could not find an answer.
For testing requirement the language from the government says 72 hours from your "First embarkation point". TK website says 72 hours from the departure from the country of origin.
So so example if I am flying LAX-JFK-IST, would the test need to be within 72 hours of departure from LAX or from JFK?
For testing requirement the language from the government says 72 hours from your "First embarkation point". TK website says 72 hours from the departure from the country of origin.
So so example if I am flying LAX-JFK-IST, would the test need to be within 72 hours of departure from LAX or from JFK?
My only advice would be to avoid extending the 72 hour rule on separate tickets. For example, if you are flying LAX-JFK & JFK-IST on separate tickets, do not risk to be denied boarding and perform your test within the 72 hours window before your JFK-IST flight.
Mar 23, 2021, 11:54 am
#949
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: GA
Programs: HH, IHG
Posts: 141
I just booked MIA-IST-SEZ / MRU-IST-MIA a few days ago (travelling Aug 23rd - Sep 13th) using ANA. This is mainly to use up my Hilton Certs expiring on 8/31. Got an email today the IST-SEZ flight was cancelled and next one is 3 days later (8/25 --> 8/28). Looks like they reduced to twice a week for that route. Given Seychelles is opening up, this seems strange to me.
I called ANA and the options aren't great (MIA-IST-ADD-SEZ, with ADD-SEZ in Y). I have 7 Hilton certs expiring I'm trying to use so, landing in Sez on 8/28 isn't great either.
Any thoughts? Is there a chance TK adds back the IST-SEZ route? Is that something that happens a lot?
I called ANA and the options aren't great (MIA-IST-ADD-SEZ, with ADD-SEZ in Y). I have 7 Hilton certs expiring I'm trying to use so, landing in Sez on 8/28 isn't great either.
Any thoughts? Is there a chance TK adds back the IST-SEZ route? Is that something that happens a lot?
Mar 23, 2021, 12:04 pm
#950
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: 14,185
I just booked MIA-IST-SEZ / MRU-IST-MIA a few days ago (travelling Aug 23rd - Sep 13th) using ANA. This is mainly to use up my Hilton Certs expiring on 8/31. Got an email today the IST-SEZ flight was cancelled and next one is 3 days later (8/25 --> 8/28). Looks like they reduced to twice a week for that route. Given Seychelles is opening up, this seems strange to me.
I called ANA and the options aren't great (MIA-IST-ADD-SEZ, with ADD-SEZ in Y). I have 7 Hilton certs expiring I'm trying to use so, landing in Sez on 8/28 isn't great either.
Any thoughts? Is there a chance TK adds back the IST-SEZ route? Is that something that happens a lot?
I called ANA and the options aren't great (MIA-IST-ADD-SEZ, with ADD-SEZ in Y). I have 7 Hilton certs expiring I'm trying to use so, landing in Sez on 8/28 isn't great either.
Any thoughts? Is there a chance TK adds back the IST-SEZ route? Is that something that happens a lot?
TK might add additional frequencies to their SEZ route but that's not something we see in common ( TK removing and adding frequencies ) but if the evolution of the pandemic changes and if there is demand, TK might add additional frequencies.
Apr 5, 2021, 11:54 am
#951
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
Guys, I used my Miles points to upgrade to Business Class for a flight cancelled. I called Turkish Airlines hotline, they told me I cannot get those points back. Actually I called on two different occasions. Same reply- that I cannot get my points back. Anyone actually tried getting their points back?
Another thing- I got a travel voucher good for the next 2 years. Am I still entitled for the unlimited flight change if I buy a ticket using the voucher?
THANKS!
Another thing- I got a travel voucher good for the next 2 years. Am I still entitled for the unlimited flight change if I buy a ticket using the voucher?
THANKS!
Apr 5, 2021, 5:12 pm
#952
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: 14,185
Guys, I used my Miles points to upgrade to Business Class for a flight cancelled. I called Turkish Airlines hotline, they told me I cannot get those points back. Actually I called on two different occasions. Same reply- that I cannot get my points back. Anyone actually tried getting their points back?
Another thing- I got a travel voucher good for the next 2 years. Am I still entitled for the unlimited flight change if I buy a ticket using the voucher?
THANKS!
Another thing- I got a travel voucher good for the next 2 years. Am I still entitled for the unlimited flight change if I buy a ticket using the voucher?
THANKS!
For the upgrade part, if the hotline agents aren't able to process the refund of your upgrade, you would need to fill out a feedback form. By the way, if your miles were already expired, TK might do a goodwill gesture reinstating them but they might also deny your claim.
Apr 6, 2021, 3:20 am
#953
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 372
originally booked PRG IST MLE RT, the return flight from IST to PRG got cancelled, now Im facing 35 hours at IST instead of 1h 35min. (nothing shorter available) am I entitled for 2 nights hotel stay? or one night only? (economy)
Apr 6, 2021, 7:23 am
#954
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: 14,185
If no shorter possible option is available, TK would rebook you to an hotel for your entire duration of your stay; however, if there is a MLE-IST flight the next day that would connect to your currently booked IST-PRG flight on the same exact date you're currently booked, TK might refuse to provide you a hotel stating that there is a shorter connection.
Apr 6, 2021, 11:35 am
#955
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 372
If no shorter possible option is available, TK would rebook you to an hotel for your entire duration of your stay; however, if there is a MLE-IST flight the next day that would connect to your currently booked IST-PRG flight on the same exact date you're currently booked, TK might refuse to provide you a hotel stating that there is a shorter connection.
MLE IST - IST VIE - VIE PRG(Austrian) for free of charge
thank you for your help!
Apr 6, 2021, 3:20 pm
#956
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
If you have got the 115% valuable voucher, yes, you would still benefit from the zero change fee process.
For the upgrade part, if the hotline agents aren't able to process the refund of your upgrade, you would need to fill out a feedback form. By the way, if your miles were already expired, TK might do a goodwill gesture reinstating them but they might also deny your claim.
For the upgrade part, if the hotline agents aren't able to process the refund of your upgrade, you would need to fill out a feedback form. By the way, if your miles were already expired, TK might do a goodwill gesture reinstating them but they might also deny your claim.
Helpful as always kind sir!
Apr 8, 2021, 9:56 am
#958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,780
That is a very nice solution. How far out was the cancellation? I'm surprised that TK agreed to rebook you on Austrían if the cancellation was far out, but I guess sometimes even TK do exceptions.
Apr 8, 2021, 11:09 am
#959
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 372
(I called TK USA number via skype)
Apr 8, 2021, 11:17 am
#960
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: 14,185
Once, TK cancelled service to my destination ( went down from daily to x4 weekly ) due to MAX issues back in 2019 exactly 16 days before departure and both the hotline and a sales office refused me to rebook on another airline. I ended up rebooking to somewhere in the same region and purchasing a separate ticket to my destination as I needed to travel that specific day.
TK's initial solution for me was to take me there on Friday afternoon rather than Thursday morning.
However, I'll admit that whenever I had a cancellation < 15 days prior the flight, I had no issues being rebooked on another airline whenever there isn't any TK alternative.