[Dazzler]

I received an email saying that my flight to Istanbul had been "changed'. No explanation given:

"Good evening, Kindly be informed that TK65/26MAY BKK-IST has already changed to TK69/26MAY11 Departure time 23.35 Arrival time 06.00+1.

For further information please contact Turkish Airlines Bangkok office 02 231 0300-7.

We are sorry for the invenience."

It basically means that I arrive about 12 hours later and will miss my booked internal flight. My only solution was to take a flight a day earlier, which now means I have to rebook my internal flight at my expense, or spend 14 hours at the airport.

The airline will not offer me compensation in any form; do I have any rights here?

Thanks!

[Ombudsman]

Unfortunately there's not much you can do if you booked the flights separately. Had you booked them all in one itinerary Turkish would have been obligated to change your "internal" flight to another more convenient connection at their expense. When you book flights separately, neither airline is obliged to change your ticket due to a schedule change on the other. This would have been the case had your Turkish flight from BKK to IST been delayed or cancelled. If you missed your "internal" flight it would be at their discretion to rebook you at no charge or charge you a fee and possibly difference in fare.

My suggestion would be to call the airline with which you booked your "internal" flight and explain the situation you now find yourself in. If the first representative you speak with is unwilling or unable to change your ticket politely ask to speak with a supervisor as they sometimes have more authority to override the rules.

If that doesn't work call Turkish back and see if they would be willing to issue a voucher for a free or discounted hotel room near the airport in Istanbul.

Finally, if all of the above fails, upon arrival in Istanbul go to the ticket counter of the airline with whom you have the "internal" flight booked. Bring a copy of your original itinerary, the e-mail showing the schedule change, and your boarding pass from the Turkish flight. Ask them if there is space available if you could go on the next flight to your destination. Agents and supervisors at the airport have much more flexibility than phone agents so if the flight on the day of your arrival isn't full they may be able to get you on it without any penalties.

Good luck and please return to post what happened.

[jimworcs]

Good luck... And that is Good advice from Ombudsman....

[Dazzler]

Thank you for the advice!

[off the grid]

I am have a similar situation involving Turkish Airlines and code share partner Lufthansa. Turkish Air offered a super good promotional fare from LAX to Nairobi vis Istanbul. Booked it last March for travel Nov. 2, 2011. LH has advanced their LAX-FRA departure time resulting in 30 minutes connect time Istanbul which is obviously impossible. After checking with LH, I learned there was actually two itinerary changes, which according to LH were made on 6/16/11. Turkish was kind enough to only notify me of one change which does affect my connecting flight on my return leg. I was told nothing about the outbound LAX-FRA flight schedule change.

There solution being offered by TK is to depart a day earlier and stay overnight at my expense, or get a full refund. With fares running about $1,400 I'm inclined to bite the bullet and pay for a hotel stay in FRA. Is there any other recourse or rights I should be entitled to for this involuntary schedule change? Thanks for listening.