TK SYD-Europe J~$7.4K with up to 2 nights 5* stopover accommodation

[andye]

I've been booking flights for a conference in May

TK are coming in pretty reasonably priced as above but there is also the option a stopover in IST of 2 nights with free 5* (1 night
4* for Y) hotel accommodation

I'm just taking the one night but reckon you could find some value and Istanbul is a fascinating city
Seems you can't double up on the outbound and return. Transfers not included. There is also a Tour Istanbul offer (without accommodation) if stopover<20h

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/stopover/index.html/

 

[andye]

Despite being a cheaper flight, my stopover got knocked back by the travel office so wont be able to report back unfortunately. The Sydney TK call centre were pretty efficient with the change and minimal wait

 

[hsd]

We have booked to go in April 2025 with the stopover-will see how it goes. But one thing people shuld know Turkish and Singapore are star alliance so flights operated by them can accrue points. However, those partnering with Malaysian airlines, drops out of point accrual-neither Malaysian airline nor Turkish nor Sungapore will allow accrual of points
Very frustrating when this jhappens

 

[Myrna]

Now on a RTW J trip with TK - we did one last year. Last year TK put us up 2 nights in a 4* Marriott brand hotel away from Istanbul, but we got an upgraded room on a higher floor with sea view. This year TK said we would be staying at Hilton Bomonti. However when we turned up we had an unexpected upset caused by the Hilton Bomonti. Without any reason they said we could not stay there, but they paid for a taxi to take us to the Hilton Bosphorus. Since Turkish Airlines made and paid for the booking with the Hilton - as part of their complementary stopover for business class passengers, we could not do anything. We were extremely disappointed and very unhappy at a very bad outcome caused by hilton bomonti . Apparently Hilton Bosphorus used to be the hotel in Istanbul almost 70 years ago. Now it is a faded glory and undergoing some reno. They gave us a garden view room / their cheapest room in the old building.
We should have checked last night to see if there was any room available for booking but were so tired from a long haul flight and did not think straight.
Whenever we paid for our own room most Hilton hotels have always treated us with a nice room upgrade. TK probably did not pay Hilton Bomonti well so they treated us badly.

 

[Myrna]

Neighbour kpc tried to cheer me up that we should just go out and enjoy Istanbul and have a kebab for them . Well we have been to the grand bazaar and the spice bazaar and taken a cruise around Bosphorus.