Airport Lounge Access in Istanbul
 

I am traveling CPH-IST-NBO with a 3 hour stop in IST.

I used miles to get the ticket and the CPH-IST is in business while the IST-NBO is not (no availability). Will I be able to access any Star Alliance lounges in IST?

I have no status at this point.

If you show your inbound BP, you should be okay.

Incorrect. Star lounge access rule is based on departure flight, not inbound. Since you are flying in Y with no status, you will not have access to the lounge. You can try showing them the previous BP, but most likely they will turn you down.

So I am paying for business class with miles (there just happens to not be availability on specifically this segment). Is there any way to work with UA to get the lounge access, e.g. can they give me a lounge pass for that day or maybe put me on the list?

Theoretically, I really should be getting the lounge access given what I was charged in miles, but am just unlucky that no business seat assignment happens to be available :(

Unfortunately no. While you "paid" business class mileage, it's the seat where you are sitting that counts, not how much you paid for it.

Ok, thank you. It is useful to know the rule on this.

I suppose the only thing I can do is explain at the airport and at the lounge and hope that one of them will be nice enough to let me in. If not, oh well. Or maybe a business award seat will open up in time and I can do a legitimate switch :)

Thanks for the info!

Airport Lounge Access in Istambul
 

I am traveling from IAD to Barcelona with a long layover in Istanbul. I have purchased a United Club membership. Will I be allowed into the Turkish Airline lounge? :-)

No, only if you have *G status or when you're flying in F/C.

If you fly on *a carrier, you should be able to access the lounge based on this:
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/prod...nitedClub.aspx

If you can access, congrats!! It's one of the best lounges in the *A.
TK's lounge at IST<---link for more pics

http://pigx5.com/Photos/AirlineLoung...images/082.jpg

Too bad, it's the absolute best lounge in the system. Hands down.

Will have to disagree. If you are traveling on a Star Alliance carrier, your United Club card should get you in.

I was here recently flying Turkish Air in economy, no status. I got in using my US Air club card. No problem at all for my and a guest.

Really enjoyed the lounge!

Thanks for the link! I checked the lounge access policy and clearly states as much.

Yeah, you're right. I was wrong.

The lounge is absolutely great indeed!

Agree with this...kebabs and chicken satays grilled on-site in the kitchen, flat breads made to order, huge salad bar, player piano in the middle, etc. Just make sure you dig through the wines to get the non Turkish ones.;)

My mother and father were able to access the IST Turkish lounge last week with their United Club cards. They have no status and were flying TK. FWIW, they said it was among the best lounges they have ever visited.