TK VIP group
Nov 18, 2023, 11:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO and JFK
Programs: One relative: BAEC GGLfL, UA 1MM Gold, LH life Senator, AA 1MM Gold, etc. Another: SQ life Solitaire
Posts: 58
TK VIP group
Hello, first time poster. My friend is a frequent TK flyer (IST based) and says there is a "VIP group" at TK, largely for government ministers and other industrialists -- but that the benefits are only a smaller (more private) lounge at IST and better IRROPS handling. This is separate to the Miles & Smiles program (i.e. there is no published higher status than Elite Plus). Is this all correct? Thanks!
Nov 18, 2023, 11:59 am
#2
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
There are separate VIP terminals across all airports in Turkey for select government officials and diplomatic staff which is not open to the general public and those VIP waiting areas are not managed by TK.
People who are eligible to access those VIP terminals/areas could use them when flying any airline.
The VIP application is also not linked to Miles&Smiles or any other loyalty program.
However, it's correct that VIP's get better treatment as they row 1 on most TK flights are blocked for them, etc...
People who are eligible to access those VIP terminals/areas could use them when flying any airline.
The VIP application is also not linked to Miles&Smiles or any other loyalty program.
However, it's correct that VIP's get better treatment as they row 1 on most TK flights are blocked for them, etc...
Nov 18, 2023, 2:32 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO and JFK
Programs: One relative: BAEC GGLfL, UA 1MM Gold, LH life Senator, AA 1MM Gold, etc. Another: SQ life Solitaire
Posts: 58
There are separate VIP terminals across all airports in Turkey for select government officials and diplomatic staff which is not open to the general public and those VIP waiting areas are not managed by TK.
People who are eligible to access those VIP terminals/areas could use them when flying any airline.
The VIP application is also not linked to Miles&Smiles or any other loyalty program.
However, it's correct that VIP's get better treatment as they row 1 on most TK flights are blocked for them, etc...
People who are eligible to access those VIP terminals/areas could use them when flying any airline.
The VIP application is also not linked to Miles&Smiles or any other loyalty program.
However, it's correct that VIP's get better treatment as they row 1 on most TK flights are blocked for them, etc...
Nov 18, 2023, 2:36 pm
#4
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
Unless you benefit from 2 x complimentary upgrade vouchers per year and use the guaranteed seat benefit, there is not that much difference compared to Elite.
Nov 19, 2023, 8:36 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO and JFK
Programs: One relative: BAEC GGLfL, UA 1MM Gold, LH life Senator, AA 1MM Gold, etc. Another: SQ life Solitaire
Posts: 58
Many thanks. Is there another program you would recommend TK fliers use (e.g. United, Air Canada, Thai, Singapore) that would give them more benefit on TK?
Nov 19, 2023, 10:47 am
#6
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
If TK is your main airline that you would fly among *A, then Miles&Smiles would have the most benefits.
Same applies to most other *A carriers.
Nov 19, 2023, 2:15 pm
#7
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: 13,048
With *A, you want elite status with the airline you fly the most.
(unless all you care about is lounge access, but even then that isn't guaranteed...)
(unless all you care about is lounge access, but even then that isn't guaranteed...)
Nov 20, 2023, 6:52 am
#8
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
If you have status with Lufthansa or United, you can get benefits on Lufthansa's subsidiaries like Eurowings. United gives you free Economy plus seats.