Lounge Access ISTANBUL

[prozac]

I am flying SYD-SIN-IST-TBS next week. All legs are SIA in J except IST-TBS which is TK in Y. The layover in IST is around 5.5hrs. Have I blown my access to a lounge in IST just because the last leg is Y? Anxious to find a solution as it would be nice to freshen up and relax during such a lengthy layover.

 

[markis10]

I am flying SYD-SIN-IST-TBS next week. All legs are SIA in J except IST-TBS which is TK in Y. The layover in IST is around 5.5hrs. Have I blown my access to a lounge in IST just because the last leg is Y? Anxious to find a solution as it would be nice to freshen up and relax during such a lengthy layover.

I take it you dont have Star* status and did not do the TK status match for QF?

 

[prozac]

I take it you dont have Star* status and did not do the TK status match for QF?

No, I haven't flown in around 18 months so no status to speak of. I will be silver when I return with 27,000 odd miles banked but that does not help me now. What about flashing my other J tickets and $20?
What is the TK status match?

 

[smit0847]

The TK J Lounge in IST is one of the best J lounges in the world. I would be doing whatever you can to get *A Gold Status in order to gain access.

 

[prozac]

The TK J Lounge in IST is one of the best J lounges in the world. I would be doing whatever you can to get *A Gold Status in order to gain access.

That is great to know but now I am even more stressed not knowing how to get into one of the best lounges in the world.

 

[smit0847]

Ring TK and see if you can either get arrivals access from your SQ J flight to IST or see if you can upgrade your Y flight.

 

[markis10]

Ring TK and see if you can either get arrivals access from your SQ J flight to IST or see if you can upgrade your Y flight.

Star does not allow lounge access for arrival for J pax, only if they are departing in J.

 

[jneufeld]

I was in the TK IST lounge a few months ago, definitely worth looking into upgrading to J for the connecting flight, it has rooms with beds as well as showers and a huge variety of food. Alternatively the TAV airport hotel has a airside section, it's a little pricey but would give you somewhere to crash for that period of time without clearing customs, it may be cheaper than the J fare.

 

[prozac]

About $700 to upgrade to Y. :shock: Shock....for a flight only 2:15 long. I will try walking straight in off the SQ Y flight. If that does not work I will try to get someone to guest me in. I guess I could always try a bit of bribery.

 

[prozac]

Anyone going to be at IST next Wednesday who wouldn't mind guesting me into the lounge?

 

[JessicaTam]

Without an onward J ticket you won't be able to get into the IST lounge. Which is a pity as it is a pretty fabulous lounge. Next time you are heading to EU, have a look at SIN/BKK - IST - (City of choice) in J with TK. Lots of lounge access and almost enough points to qual *G.

Edit: Yes I am a TK fanboi

 

[prozac]

JessicaTam, atm all my points going to SQ Krisflyer. Am doing sectors IST-TBS-IST-AMS on TK. Can I send points to SQ but keep status on TK?
Having insurmountable problems registering for TK Miles&Smiles. Just cannot get registered. Tried maybe 6 times now. You cannot call Turkish Airlines in Australia....no one EVER picks up the phone. Am a bit concerned flying with them at all now. Certainly I will not have a Turkish awards registration before next week. It cannot be done online.

 

[JessicaTam]

JessicaTam, atm all my points going to SQ Krisflyer. Am doing sectors IST-TBS-IST-AMS on TK. Can I send points to SQ but keep status on TK?
Having insurmountable problems registering for TK Miles&Smiles. Just cannot get registered. Tried maybe 6 times now. You cannot call Turkish Airlines in Australia....no one EVER picks up the phone. Am a bit concerned flying with them at all now. Certainly I will not have a Turkish awards registration before next week. It cannot be done online.

I am not sure why that would be. I had no trouble. Have you tried a different browser perhaps?

The airline you earn points with is the airline you will earn status with. If you earn status on SQ then that will be recognised with TK, however points with TK will be a quicker route to status than SQ.

 

[prozac]

I'll try switching browser. The message displaying at the end of the registration process says someone with my details is already registered. The TK people say there is no record of my registration.

"If you earn status on SQ then that will be recognised with TK, however points with TK will be a quicker route to status than SQ. " This trip if miles all allocated to SQ will give me 27k odd, enough for Elite Silver on SQ. If I ever register on TK and earn points for some legs on TK instead then I will not attain SE on SQ. If I can earn miles quicker on TK then maybe this is something to keep in mind for future trips once I have my SQ status?

 

[markis10]

I'll try switching browser. The message displaying at the end of the registration process says someone with my details is already registered. The TK people say there is no record of my registration.

"If you earn status on SQ then that will be recognised with TK, however points with TK will be a quicker route to status than SQ. " This trip if miles all allocated to SQ will give me 27k odd, enough for Elite Silver on SQ. If I ever register on TK and earn points for some legs on TK instead then I will not attain SE on SQ. If I can earn miles quicker on TK then maybe this is something to keep in mind for future trips once I have my SQ status?

Would suggest some research is in order, as *Gold could be achieved if you don't credit to SQ!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ograms/aegean-s-star-alliance-gold-24046.html

 

[prozac]

Would suggest some research is in order, as *Gold could be achieved if you don't credit to SQ!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ograms/aegean-s-star-alliance-gold-24046.html

Than you. I will do some reading. Will depend on whether or not I can register on TK.

 

[serfty]

Than you. I will do some reading. Will depend on whether or not I can register on TK.

Once you read & understand the information in that thread, then if you act on it registering with TK should become redundant.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[bigjobs]

another thing to consider ... if you make your layover more than 13 hours (I think that's the magic number) TK will put you up in a hotel somewhere in Istanbul.

I was put in the Grand Yavuz Hotel in the old part of Istanbul. This was walking distance to everything and I just had a great day. Arrived in IST about 0900 and departed IST 0040. Much better than an airport lounge. If you're already waiting 5.5 hrs another 7 or so might not be that much difference, esp if you are out and about, have your own room etc.

TK have a hotel desk. When you clear passports, go through duty free and come out to arrivals area you turn right and walk all the way down to the Starbucks. This is where their hotel desk is located.

They even sent a driver to collect me for my flight. Cost me 0 $$ & I slept, showered, ate at wonderful cafes, saw many sites, shopping done, caught the trams around, great coffee and desert. No airline lounge could complete IMHO.

I will do it this way again in the future.

 

[prozac]

another thing to consider ... if you make your layover more than 13 hours (I think that's the magic number) TK will put you up in a hotel somewhere in Istanbul.

I was put in the Grand Yavuz Hotel in the old part of Istanbul. This was walking distance to everything and I just had a great day. Arrived in IST about 0900 and departed IST 0040. Much better than an airport lounge. If you're already waiting 5.5 hrs another 7 or so might not be that much difference, esp if you are out and about, have your own room etc.

TK have a hotel desk. When you clear passports, go through duty free and come out to arrivals area you turn right and walk all the way down to the Starbucks. This is where their hotel desk is located.

They even sent a driver to collect me for my flight. Cost me 0 $$ & I slept, showered, ate at wonderful cafes, saw many sites, shopping done, caught the trams around, great coffee and desert. No airline lounge could complete IMHO.

I will do it this way again in the future.

Sounds great but unfortunately I have 4 days of business meetings in Georgia and need to be there on the day.

Thanks to those who told me to get educated I have just enrolled in Aegean with a joining bonus of 2000 miles!
So just checking, should I allocate my entire round trip SYD-SIN-IST-TBS-IST-AMS-SIN-SYD (27k miles for business class) to Aegean Miles&Bonus? No downside to this?

 

[jneufeld]

Sounds great but unfortunately I have 4 days of business meetings in Georgia and need to be there on the day.

Thanks to those who told me to get educated I have just enrolled in Aegean with a joining bonus of 2000 miles!
So just checking, should I allocate my entire round trip SYD-SIN-IST-TBS-IST-AMS-SIN-SYD (27k miles for business class) to Aegean Miles&Bonus? No downside to this?

You should check that the fare classes you have booked earn miles at the necessary level to attain *G. Some TK Y fare classes do not earn at all so you should double check what fares you have purchased and how many miles they will accrue, eg. If all your flights have a 50% accrual factor you will not earn enough for *G.

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