Most Turkish Airlines routes between the U.S. and Istanbul are wide open for business class award redemption between October and January – for four or more passengers! – with some routes having availability starting in May.
Turkish is a Star Alliance airline, which means you can use United miles to book. Or you can transfer Citi, Bilt, or Capital One points directly to Turkish for some amazing award pricing. You can also transfer from Chase to Aeroplan or United, Amex to ANA, Avianca or Aeroplan, or Citi, Brex, or Capital One to Avianca as well.
Use this space to connect onward in Europe, to connect to Asia, or even to Africa. Turkish serves more countries than any other airline, and if you use Turkish miles and have a long connection they’ll give you a free city tour or hotel room.
You’ll find space on Turkish flights from Atlanta; Boston; Chicago O’Hare; Houston; Newark; New York JFK; San Francisco; and Washington Dulles.
Here’s Chicago – Istanbul covering October, it’s available nearly every day of the month (pricing via United.com though other programs will offer this for less).
Turkish has numerous different business class configurations, from Boeing 777s that are 2-3-2 (avoid the middle-of-middle seat!) to Boeing 787s that are 1-2-1. Regardless of aircraft and therefore seating configuration, they do an outstanding on board service and their lounge in Istanbul is a marvel.
(HT: Straight to the Points)
Turkish Air lounge is great (although somehwat less so what with Covid and budget cuts). However, there is one lounge for a huge airport when they might have considered several, spaced throughout. If you have several hours for a connection, go to the lounge. If you don’t you may well have to skip it especially given a rather convoluted route on arrival with one, and for a US-bound flight, two security checks.
Thanks for the info Gary. Just booked SFO to DAR
Does this mean you have to book four people to get the deal?