Istanbul next week?

Hi - Newbie here! Husband is a fairly junior Delta pilot (2007) and I am trying this non-rev travel thing solo for the first time. Hoping some of you experienced travelers might be able to advise on a plan of action for me. My 12 yr. old son & I are booked on an 11 day cruise departing from IST on Oct. 17. Originally, flights from JFK to IST looked good departing on or around 15 Oct. Now.. not so much :-( So, I am now scrambling to figure out alternatives - either dates or other airlines that might be workable for us. Husband will not be coming with us. Any suggestions as to alternative routes I could possibly take to make this cruise in time? Also, I understand probable return date 28 Oct. is load optimized, so I am planning on getting ZED fare tickets in advance on Air France to CDG & Turkish Air to AMS. Any place else I am missing? Additionally, can anyone tell me if these ZED tickets are the same as ID90s? They do have to be purchased in advance stateside - correct? But how does the listing work - is that done stateside, as well or at the ticket counter in country of departure? One final question - if I am lucky enough to make this cruise I will probably need a hotel - the one I had booked they have apparently lost the reservation & it is now full :mad: Any recommendations? I realize this is kinda last minute so don't expect many replies, but one can hope right?! Thanks!

If you log onto deltanet and search zed, ezed etc you can get information on zed travel. Some, like air france, are ezed tickets and must be bought online. I have seen people get stranded places because the website was down. As people have told me it is best to get tickets prior to travel. You do not have to get paper tickets in the U.S. but you do run into a possible issue where agents do not know how to issue zed tickets so you will get stuck.

You have zed on turkish air with a direct flight from JFK, you could look into that if you do not make the Delta flight.

Another quick check would be the JFK to ZRH flight (if the IST direct is full) then ZED on Turkish from ZRH. Might try to find loads on Turkish from JFK and ZRH.

I would try direct flight, then you would know if you would get a seat assignment on Turkish before the flight to Zurich. If you make the direct Turkish flight then great, if you do not get a seat assignment ask about loads out of Zurich, if good take the delta flight to Zurich.

Also, watch the daily flights from IST to JFK to see if anyone misses the flight do to restrictions (if people are awaiting seat assignments and flight leaves with empty seats should be a good way to tell if there were restrictions), all people made the flight the last couple of days.

Oh, on travelnet if you look on the tools dropdown menu you can use the interline calculator that is normally very close to actual zed ticket cost (including taxes)

Good luck, let us know how flights and the cruise go.

Tony

AF is ezed tkts KL is not--check to see what you need to buy here at airport.
Look at the list for other options. What's your gateway? I have a few hotels in IST if you need them.I'd certainly plan to spend at least one nt prior to cruise (after, too?)

Thanks so much to both of you for great advice - I really appreciate it! After much consideration, we decided that flying out of ATL to FRA on Delta the 13th looked to be our best bet. In FRA, hubbie pulled the trigger and purchased 2 full-fare one way tickets on Turkish Air to IST for us. Reasonably priced - however the taxes were awful! Probably could've ZEDed it, but peace of mind is worth a lot! However, that does lock us in to FRA. Right now loads look good - if things change I can always hop up to JFK and try Delta or one of the other airlines who fly to FRA from there. <br><br>The return plan, since loads are optimized leaving IST on Delta then (and there are senior non-revs to us already listed!) is to ZED on Turkish Air to AMS. Will have to overnight there, however, but they do have 2 flights to ATL from there on Delta metal, so chances are pretty good that we'll get back to ATL that way. Alternative is ZED on IST to FRA (already have ZEDs for Turkish Air there). Another overnight there somewhere, then catch the Delta flight to ATL. Hopefully one of those options will work for us. ... With any luck our flight home to PNS will miraculously have seats available - otherwise, we rent a car &amp; drive it! <br><br>I ended up booking a room at the "Boutique Maywood Hotel" in IST for 3 nights prior to the cruise. Good reviews on Trip Advisor and total of 270 Euros - great location, free airport pick up &amp; breakfast. 10% discount for cash instead of credit. There were cheaper - but I'm kinda picky about where I sleep ;-) Hopefully it will turn out as nice as it sounds.<br><br>Once again, thanks so much for giving me your advice. If things go crazy with my plans, I will definitely try one of your suggestionsptions and at least one of them should work out!

If you're zedding IST-FRA, why not also have some LH tickets as back-up. I believe Lufthansa now has an e-zed agreement with Delta. There's an early morning LH flight from IST which would allow for a same day connection in FRA. Bear in mind that the taxes ex FRA to N. America are on the steep side (about 80 euro) and are also applied to transit passengers

Thanks re: the LH idea. Unfortunately, by the time I exit the ship and get to the IST airport, I would not be able to make the connection flight in time from FRA to ATL the same day. I would have to overnight FRA & go out the next day. Still a viable option, tho. Appreciate the suggestions!

Do I have to list for ZED tickets stateside at the airport, online or at ticket counter?

Also - any recommendations for hotels in AMS or FRA? Probably best if close to the airport as I'll be having to get there by 7am the morning of departure.
Thanks!

FRA--there's an Ibis nearby w/free shuttle. they have a pub/restaurant.
ck FRA airport website
PS-love the handle!
AND--please please do a report of your trip and cruise-that's really beneficial for us all to use later.
Bon voyage!!

Best option would be to ZED to AMS on Turkish on the 28th, stay at an Accor hotel chain in AMS using Delta discount then trying the two direct ATL flights in the morning or connect through MSP or DTW to ATL (if ATL is your final destination).

If you do not make the Turkish flight out of IST, then try the Delta JFK flight on the 29th, then if missed start again with ZED to AMS.

Have Fun

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frapos

If you're zedding IST-FRA, why not also have some LH tickets as back-up. I believe Lufthansa now has an e-zed agreement with Delta. There's an early morning LH flight from IST which would allow for a same day connection in FRA. Bear in mind that the taxes ex FRA to N. America are on the steep side (about 80 euro) and are also applied to transit passengers

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Not needed.
ZED on TK, IST-FRA can be used on LH also...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vulindlela

Not needed.
ZED on TK, IST-FRA can be used on LH also...

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In an ideal non-rev world, you're correct. But the reality is some stations would not touch an ID ticket unless it explicity mentions their carrier's name

Back from our IST extravaganza (Great Trip!) and just finished our trip report - not sure where to post it, however? Let me know and I will be happy to add it.

Diane

Probably in regions section--just choose either Europe or Asia (I'd go for EU)
Can't wait to hear! I've only done the 48 hrs layover w/Boss and that was a while back. I have to return, so I'll take any new advice, please.

Yeah right here in the "Europe" Forum sounds like a winner. Gotta say I’m anxious to hear how the flights, the cruise and that hotel *wink* worked out.
BTW, so future travelers can benefit from your adventure, I’ll put a trip report link in this thread for you.

Read about Geronomom’s Istanbul escapades in her trip report - http://nonrev.net/europe/15816-istanbul-trip-report.html