I actually went through this with Turkish Airlines last spring when I was flying from Istanbul to New York, so I can share exactly how it worked for me. Originally, I had booked an economy ticket because it was the most budget-friendly at the time. A couple of weeks before my trip, I started thinking about how long the flight was going to be and decided I wanted to see if I could upgrade to business class.
First thing I learned—Turkish Airlines doesn’t always make upgrades super clear on their website. I tried checking through my booking online, but it wasn’t straightforward. That’s when I decided to just call their support line at (877)-764-3622. Honestly, that was the best decision. The rep walked me through all the upgrade options available for my specific flight. They explained the difference between paying directly for an upgrade versus using miles, and even told me how to maximize my existing points.
Within 15 minutes, I had my seat in business confirmed. The whole process was way easier over the phone than online, and I even got a decent deal compared to what I expected. If you’re considering an upgrade, I’d definitely say just call that number—it saves a lot of time.
