Most people are unaware that there are two types of free hotel programs offered by Turkish Airlines, each with its own terms and conditions. What happens is that after landing, people will go to the Turkish Airlines hotel desk with high hopes only to be told they’re not qualified for a free layover hotel.
I almost made that mistake if I hadn’t emailed Turkish Airlines ahead of time. I did a lot of research on this free hotel program before my flight from Indonesia to the Netherlands, but I couldn’t find a single article, forum, or video explaining it in detail.
That’s why in this article, I’ll dive deeper into the Turkish Airlines free transit hotel programs and how to get it, so you won’t get disappointed in Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines Stopover Program
Turkish Airlines offers a stopover program for passengers with a long layover. They can choose a free tour in Istanbul (TourIstanbul) or a free hotel. Note that passengers can’t select both the free tour and hotel simultaneously, it’s either one or the other.
2 Types of Free Layover Hotel Program
1. Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) Program
You’re eligible for the STPC program by Turkish Airlines if:
- The connection time is 12 hours or longer for Economy Class, and 9 hours or more for Business Class.
- You book this flight with a long layover because there are no other shorter transit periods offered. For example, if there’s an option between a 3-hour transit and a 12-hour transit, and you intentionally choose the latter option, then you won’t be eligible. In this case, it’s better to choose an even longer transit for the other stopover program that I’ll discuss.
- You have international flights.
The STPC program includes a free shuttle to and from the hotel and a free breakfast.
2. Stopover in Istanbul Program
You’re eligible for this Stopover Program if:
- The connection time is at least 20 hours.
- You book a round-trip flight operated by Turkish Airlines.
- You’re applying to the program at least 72 hours before your flight.
- Your departure country and arrival points are included in the list below.
You will also get a free breakfast from the hotel, but you won’t get a free shuttle. You’ll need to navigate your own way to the hotel. You can easily use the metro or a taxi to get to your hotel. I prefer to use the metro because I find it easy and much cheaper, and I was able to experience Istanbul more authentically!
How to Get a Free Hotel from Turkish Airlines
1. Check Your Eligibility
Before booking a flight with the intention to get a hotel for free from Turkish Airlines, please understand the terms and conditions, and check your available flights to see if you can get the STPC or the Stopover in Istanbul Program.
2. Contact Turkish Airlines
This step is optional, but I highly recommend you contact Turkish Airlines through email or telephone from this list to confirm your eligibility for either of those programs I mentioned.
3. Get Your Hotel Voucher
If you’re getting the STPC Program, simply go to Turkish Airlines’ hotel desk once you’ve arrived in Istanbul and you’ll get your hotel voucher there. There’s no need for a reservation.
The hotel desk is located outside of the immigration as shown in this map below.
source: istanbul-airporthotel.com
But, if you’re getting the Stopover in Istanbul Program, you must make a reservation at least 72 hours in advance. To make the reservation, you can do it through email (like I mentioned before) or through the Turkish Airlines website.
Then, they’ll send you a form to fill out your name, reservation code (PNR) and ticket number, desired dates, preferred room type, email, and telephone number. After that, you’ll get your digital hotel voucher.
My Experience Getting TUrkish Airlines Free Transit Hotel
I intentionally booked a flight from Indonesia to the Netherlands with a 21-hour layover to take advantage of the Stopover Program, and I enjoyed my time there!
I couldn’t choose my own hotel, maybe because I made the reservation less than 72 hours before my flight, but surprisingly they gave me a luxurious hotel at Vialand Palace Hotel with a free breakfast.
Despite being slightly off-center, nearby public transport options are abundant such as buses and metros. I even managed to squeeze in some sightseeing at Istiklal Street, buy souvenirs, try Turkish ice cream, and pet Turkish street cats!
The free hotel made the long layover worthwhile and I’d definitely fly with Turkish Airlines again for the Stopover Program. It’s a fantastic way to turn a long wait into a mini-vacation!