Airport Lounge Access in Istanbul
May 14, 2012, 1:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 326
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.
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.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; May 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm Reason: http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q63
May 14, 2012, 2:25 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
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.
May 14, 2012, 2:31 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 326
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
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
May 14, 2012, 2:46 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
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.
May 14, 2012, 2:54 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 326
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!
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
Nov 27, 2012, 12:55 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
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
Last edited by pigx5; Nov 28, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Nov 27, 2012, 1:11 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 369
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!
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!
Nov 27, 2012, 1:22 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS 4MM
Posts: 583
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.
Nov 27, 2012, 3:09 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
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.