Istanbul Ataturk lounges

[planky]

Hey guys,
First post but have been doing a lot of lurking and learning lots!
I have a trip coming up to the UK and Turkey, which will unfortunately involve a 6 hour layover at Istanbul Ataturk on the return leg. I have been looking at options re. airport lounge access to make the time a bit less painful, and it looks like there are a few different locations including a few that offer single entry for a fee if you book in advance.
I'm flying Emirates on a QF O-class ticket so no chance of an upgrade, and have no status with either airline.

A couple of questions:
- Does anyone have any experience with the primeclass lounges there? If I were to book and pay in advance for entry, which one would be my best bet?
- Are there any lounge access programs (thinking along the lines of AA Admirals lounge 30 day membership) that would be worth looking into for this part of the world? It would be a bonus to be able to use the DXB lounges each way as well!

Thanks in advance!
Pete

 

[Danger]

Welcome, planky.

Are you flying onwards from IST with Turkish Airlines? If so, you could try a status match to their FF program which would give you access to their lounge. You need to be top tier in oneworld (or possibly Skyteam) to be considered, however.

 

[cgichard]

I'm interested in this as well: I have 5 hours between flights there in mid-June. Thought I could get into the HSBC lounge free as I have a (UK) HSBC Advance debit card, but on checking just now it seems it has to be a Premium credit card. For a paid visit, which is better value between HSBC and PrimeClass CIP (& what does CIP stand for?)? I think I read that the latter has lower rates in the mornings and has showers, which HSBC does not: is that correct? It is best to book in advance, or wait till I get there and go to whichever looks least crowded? I have no status to match. I looked at Priority Pass which would give me access to either for US$27, but the euro prices I've seen seem lower than that, and PP has no lounges useful to me at any of the other stops on my trip (or else my transit time is too short to allow for a lounge visit).

 

[ozmouse]

Im travelling in july QR J ticket, and so i have access to "Millennium lounge". But from all accounts it is not a great destination!? So i am open to any news of a better lounge to park in.

I have read conflicting info that this is a priority pass lounge, but it not listed on their website, nor airport website, so cant help with additional details re pay per visit.

Star alliance & turkish airlines have it all stitched up here, but dont think they are much help to us....

 

[amaroo]

Had a brief visit to the Prime Class lounge (BA lounge) a few weeks ago ... nothing flash, and jammed to the rafters - I wouldn't be paying extra for access. FWIW the general terminal looked ok ... not sure about 6hrs though!

 

[medhead]

Flew out of IST a few weeks ago with EY as a VA platinum. This got me an invite to the Primeclass lounge. I followed the directions down to the lounge and was confronted with 2 lounges. One straight ahead from the escalator and one to the left. They were both called prime class, but with a different word on the end. I can't remember those words. I went left because there was a priority pass card on the door banner so I figured it was the lower level lounge. I showed my EY invite only to be directed back to the other one. The name of the one on the left seemed more exclusive sounding. Overall a confusing experience.

Despite having priority pass, I just used my free invite. The lounge was small and seemed smaller than the other one looked from the door. It had a good range of booze and I think the food selection was snacks, and possibly sandwiches. It was kind of full and I had to share a table with one other passenger. (2pm departure mid week) They did have spirits including the local firewater, Beer on a self pour tap. Wines etc. The toilets were outside the lounge! No showers either, I guess. There seemed to be a bit of a lack of english at the front desk but they did let me leave one bag when I went to the toilet.

I didn't bother with using the priority pass because there was only about 20 minutes before my scheduled boarding commencement time. I think there might have been toilets/showers in the other lounge, but only about 40% sure.

The main terminal did look pretty good, but it could be expensive. The coffee shop outside in the check in desk area was expensive. For 6 hours I think US$27 for priority pass lounge access might be worth it.

 

[YSSY]

I used the HSBC lounge perhaps 2 years ago, and it was okay but nothing special and didn't really feel like that much of an escape. I wouldn't have paid for it anyway...

 

[phily]

I used the HSBC lounge perhaps 2 years ago, and it was okay but nothing special and didn't really feel like that much of an escape.

I didn't know that HSBC had airport lounges. I thought that they were only into making airbridges.

 

[Cynicor]

The IST Turkish lounge was amazing, just for reference. No idea on any other lounge.

Decent food, plenty of it, lots of kitchens and room. Lots to do, movie room, pool room. All sorts.

 

[amaroo]

I think there might have been toilets/showers in the other lounge, but only about 40% sure.

Yep, it had toilets and showers. We accessed the lounge via BA J/OW rights.

Lifted this from you tube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKYM1z2TJ8

 

[medhead]

Yep, it had toilets and showers. We accessed the lounge via BA J/OW rights.

Lifted this from you tube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKYM1z2TJ8

Is that called primeclass comfort? I wish i could remember both names.

 

[amaroo]

Is that called primeclass comfort? I wish is could remember both names.

Don't think so. Google found this https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.278680602174188.62595.154859294556320&type=1 this is a different lounge to the one we were in. Looks better!

 

[pagingjoan]

The Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge at Istanbul is amazingly well equipped but if you don't have access, that's irrelevant, of course.
I don't believe there is a paid entry option there - but someone may correct me?

However, adjacent to the entry to the CIP Lounge, right at the end of the concourse, there is a hotel with direct entry to the terminal, and it offers day rates and hourly rates. They may or may not fit the budgets of those seeking advice at the moment but I will post a link for future reference:
TAV Airport Hotel

[Can't give a first hand review, as I have always had Lounge access through TK but I noticed the signage, when filling in time on a long transit stop there recently.]

 

[medhead]

Yep, it had toilets and showers. We accessed the lounge via BA J/OW rights.

Lifted this from you tube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKYM1z2TJ8

Only judging by the reception desk location, that might be the lounge to the left that I wasn't allowed to use. I'm pretty certain there was a priority pass card on the sign out the front.