STPC is back: Free hotel stopover from Turkish Airlines

Want a free four star hotel stay during your stopover? Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) from Turkish Airlines is back by popular demand!

Turkish Airlines are now offering their Free Hotel Stopover once again, meaning free accommodation during your stopover in Instanbul. This offer applies to any South African traveller with an international connecting flight in Istanbul.

How does it work?

The offer works by passengers voluntarily opting for a later connecting flight with a minimum of 20 hours from South Africa to their international destination of choice. According to Travel News, passengers can use the STPC benefit once only, either on their outbound or inbound journey. The offer is also only available to passengers with return tickets originating in and returning to South Africa, for international connecting flights. 

Tickets must be issued on Turkish Airlines ticket stock and visas, transfers and travel around Turkey are not included in the offer. The free accommodation is, of course, subject to hotel availability and Turkish Airlines can change the terms and conditions at any time.

Business-class passengers will be offered a two night stay in a five-star hotel, bed and breakfast, while Economy-class passengers are entitled to a one night in a four-star hotel, bed and breakfast. These hotels are situated within Istanbul’s city centre for optimal convenience.

Travelling with Turkish Airlines? Here’s what you need to know

Turkish Airlines in South Africa recently issued a statement about relaxation of entry requirements to Turkey for travellers from South Africa.

Travellers can avoid quarantine by providing proof of vaccination. This proof must show two doses of vaccine listed by the World Health Organisation (or Turkey for emergency use) or one dose of Johnson & Johnson. The last dose must have been taken a minimum of 14 days before arrival in Turkey. There will be no need for a negative PCR or antigen test.

Another way a passenger might be able to board a Turkish Airlines flight is by providing a proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the prior six months, starting from the 28th day of the first positive PCR test result.

Unvaccinated travellers will have to either provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within the 72 hours before arrival in Turkey, or a negative result from an antigen test taken 48 hours before arrival.

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