A new travel option for UK members?

[frequent]

Fancy the odds of getting to Bangkok for GBP199 on Lufthansa or Swiss? Maybe it will be Bangkok and maybe it won’t - http://www.godsavethepoints.com/2018/07/31/swiss-lufthansa-launch-global-flight-pass-uk-travelers/

[arsenal]

It seems like a good deal but a quick reccie on trip.com provides multiple flights from London to Bangkok in October for about $500.

[gerefan2]

Quite...why would I want to go via Germany ( no doubt at extra cost, with only 2 days notice) when I can happily go direct from Heathrow?

[scottish-guy]

Lucky you Gerefan - but direct flights are not an option for the overwhelming majority of UK airports (there's only 2, maybe 3 UK airports doing direct flights to Thailand).

What would put me off this "lucky dip" idea isn't an indirect flight per se, but the length of the layover you'd be "allocated" with no option to change/challenge it. Could easily be in excess of 24 hours.

[goji]

I was tempted by the Austrian Airways flights. Over £100 cheaper than EVA for premium economy plus overnight in both directions, which is a nice bonus. Short layover too.

However, it was only a 25 minute layover on the outbound leg and I figure that is insane for any flight originating in Heathrow. The chances of me or my luggage not making it are too high.

Has anyone tried this ?

[arsenal]

Goji. I managed a 50 minute changeover in Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. However I only had a piece of hand luggage. After booking the flight I e-mailed Cathay and told them that I'd misread it as 1 hour and 50 minutes and it was entirely my fault and how worried I was. They had someone meet me at the plane and rush me through to the next one. 25 minutes is virtually impossible, you couldn't change London Underground trains in that time.

[scottish-guy]

I was tempted by the Austrian Airways flights. Over £100 cheaper than EVA for premium economy plus overnight in both directions, which is a nice bonus. Short layover too.

However, it was only a 25 minute layover on the outbound leg and I figure that is insane for any flight originating in Heathrow. The chances of me or my luggage not making it are too high.

Has anyone tried this ?


I flew on Austrian Airways from Heathrow to BKK many years ago with a very short 35 min changeover in VIE.

It worked - VIE is pretty small and very easy to changover - but it was not conducive to an anxiety free trip

[gerefan2]

I don’t know why airlines schedule and sell such a short turn rounds...surely not many people willingly take up such an offer, and if the connection is not made then the airline is presumably responsible for any subsequent problems.

Last year I bought a ticket to BKK with a 1.30 hour change in Dubai. They knew it was short and had a separate bus waiting at the steps (remote parking as always at Dubai) and took all the BKK pax direct to the next aircraft.

Incidentally it was an A380 so had about 500 passengers on board which required 10 buses!

[Isaanguy]

In future I will be very wary of short time transfers.
Last summer I flew with Qatar Barcelona to Bangkok via Doha with a one hour transfer.
The flight from Barcelona was 20 minutes late, passengers for BKK were met off the plane and run through the airport which as an older gent left me gasping for air and breathless.
My checked bag didn't make it but it was delivered to my Bangkok Hotel about 10 hours later.

[frequent]

In future I will be very wary of short time transfers.
Last summer I flew with Qatar Barcelona to Bangkok via Doha with a one hour transfer.
The flight from Barcelona was 20 minutes late, passengers for BKK were met off the plane and run through the airport which as an older gent left me gasping for air and breathless.
My checked bag didn't make it but it was delivered to my Bangkok Hotel about 10 hours later.Why the need to be wary then?

[gerefan2]

You’re weird....

[Isaanguy]

OK replace the first sentence with:
In future I will avoid short time transfers.

[frequent]

OK replace the first sentence with:
In future I will avoid short time transfers.Each to their own, I suppose. You sound like a Nervous Nellie. The airline facilitated you getting to your destination with an accelerated transfer, and your luggage turned up on the next flight

[arsenal]

Considering how confused/irritated you get about where each and every bar, restaurant, club, outhouse, shithouse and poorhouse is without a printable map attached I'd think twice about criticising others if I were you.

[Isaanguy]

I am certainly not a nervous nelly.
My post was intended to be helpful by illustrating what can go wrong.
You don't have to read it and I will not be replying further to your posts.

[frequent]

I am certainly not a nervous nelly. My post was intended to be helpful by illustrating what can go wrong. You don't have to read it and I will not be replying further to your posts.Nothing went wrong

[Old git]

' In future I will avoid short time transfers '

All transfers are best avoided - they are stressful, time wasting, and exhausting on a long haul - and double the chance of your luggage going AWOL

Then you get nightmare airports like Frankfurt - which get fog bound in winter, with incoming flights circling for hours trying to get a slot to land - while the connecting flights leave without you.

I remember a business trip to a remote part of India in the early '90s - the return was three flights with four hour stopovers (with nothing to do) between each one, and the plane on the first leg was derelict and infested with cockroaches - after getting home I was a waste of space for three days recovering..

[frequent]

' In future I will avoid short time transfers '

All transfers are best avoided - they are stressful, time wasting, and exhausting on a long haul - and double the chance of your luggage going AWOL

Then you get nightmare airports like Frankfurt - which get fog bound in winter, with incoming flights circling for hours trying to get a slot to land - while the connecting flights leave without you.

I remember a business trip to a remote part of India in the early '90s - the return was three flights with four hour stopovers (with nothing to do) between each one, and the plane on the first leg was derelict and infested with cockroaches - after getting home I was a waste of space for three days recovering..Best to stay at home behind your locked front door, really. Have you thought about that option?

[Old git]

' Have you thought about that option? '

The better option is to pay a little extra and get direct flights..

[gerefan2]

I am certainly not a nervous nelly.
My post was intended to be helpful by illustrating what can go wrong.
You don't have to read it and I will not be replying further to your posts.

I see you are fairly new here....welcome to the cyber world of frequent. You will soon find he is beyond help.

[paborn]

' Have you thought about that option? '

The better option is to pay a little extra and get direct flights..

This is just plain silly. The last time anyone in the US was able to take a direct flight was the , short lived, New York Bangkok direct over the pole flight on Thai. That ceased to operate after the financial crisis of 2008. I can't pay more for a direct flight - have you even glanced at a geography book?

What I can do is check a bag and have a small carry on with toiletries and a change of linen. During a lifetime of consulting travel I have had every damn thing happen. But, as long as I have my necessities all is well. Last trip, Qatar could not connect my luggage in Doha and it arrived in Pattaya before the bars opened.

[arsenal]

One piece of hand luggage can carry everything I need. I travel light and laugh at the Chinese tourists with their trunks.

[gerefan2]

In all fairness paborn he thread is about “ A new travel option for UK members”!

[Old git]

' have you even glanced at a geography book? '

Err yes.. - but in case you hadn't noticed, the vast majority of visitors to the LoS are not from N. America.

Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least..

[edit: PI = Philippine Islands]

[Old git]

' One piece of hand luggage can carry everything I need. I travel light and laugh at the Chinese tourists with their trunks '

I know a few regular visitors who leave a bag full of LoS clothing at the back of an obliging bar and otherwise travel light..

[gerefan2]

' One piece of hand luggage can carry everything I need. I travel light and laugh at the Chinese tourists with their trunks '

I know a few regular visitors who leave a bag full of LoS clothing at the back of an obliging bar and otherwise travel light..

That’s a brilliant idea! I will research it tonight at my favourite bar! Thanks

[paborn]

' have you even glanced at a geography book? '

Err yes.. - but in case you hadn't noticed, the vast majority of visitors to the LoS are not from N. America.

Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least..

Actually, the vast majority of users of this forum don't actually post and as to visitors to LOS itself - the REASON most visitors are not from North America is because of the length of the trip - NOT whether paying a little more gets a quicker flight. - Thus, your point is bogus - simply put NO MATTER where you plan to go direct flights are operational/financial/hub and spoke feed system decisions of the airlines NOT anyone's willingness to pay "extra'

Also. this remark "Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least.."

I love the way some people use "most" or "seem" in place of any fact - it is 3,000 miles from NYC to LA - "most" at least from the west coast. God, such pure drivel. By the way , what the hell " PI" anyway.

[paborn]

' One piece of hand luggage can carry everything I need. I travel light and laugh at the Chinese tourists with their trunks '

I know a few regular visitors who leave a bag full of LoS clothing at the back of an obliging bar and otherwise travel light..

And we can all tell who you are by the mere sight of you.

[MiniMee]

I know a few regular visitors who leave a bag full of LoS clothing at the back of an obliging bar and otherwise travel light..

scottish-guy left a bag containing a pair of purple bell-bottoms and a pair of engineer boots at Nice Boys a decade ago, but he hasn’t been back to collect it since.

[arsenal]

Ooh Minimee you are naughty. But I like you.

[scottish-guy]

scottish-guy left a bag containing a pair of purple bell-bottoms and a pair of engineer boots at Nice Boys a decade ago, but he hasn’t been back to collect it since.

I was 13 or 14 when I had those - which was considerably more than a decade ago!

Also they weren't "Engineer boots", they were platform shoes, made from real plastic - and you forgot the trousers were purple corduroy.

And finally, I was in Nice Boys in 2016

:drink:

[sglad]

I can't pay more for a direct flight - have you even glanced at a geography book?


I'm sure he has, paborn; unfortunately his edition still says the Earth is flat.

[Old git]

' made from real plastic '

What is synthetic plastic made from then?

[Old git]

' Also. this remark "Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least.."

I love the way some people use "most" or "seem" in place of any fact - it is 3,000 miles from NYC to LA - "most" at least from the west coast. God, such pure drivel. By the way , what the hell " PI" anyway. '

Excuse me, but YOU were the one who threw a hissy fit without thinking first, and I did no more than politely put you in your place.

Look at Pattaya - American headcount 5% at best - look at Angeles - American headcount around 50% if not more..

Bit of a no brainer where you guys like to party - No?

[paborn]

' Also. this remark "Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least.."

I love the way some people use "most" or "seem" in place of any fact - it is 3,000 miles from NYC to LA - "most" at least from the west coast. God, such pure drivel. By the way , what the hell " PI" anyway. '

Excuse me, but YOU were the one who threw a hissy fit without thinking first, and I did no more than politely put you in your place.

Look at Pattaya - American headcount 5% at best - look at Angeles - American headcount around 50% if not more..

Bit of a no brainer where you guys like to party - No?

There is no point in even discusiing most of this as your ignorance is quite clear. Just one thing - ( I now realize you are discssing the Phillipines ) although the US has returned soverignity of military bases to the PI government - Americans remain in vast numbers accross no less than 5 huge bases. Tourists???? The number one country of arrivals to PI is South Korea, second China . I try to be polite so this ends here - change your name from Old Git to Dim wit.

[paborn]

Besides, my post concerning your remark had NOTHING to do with amounts of tourism it was in answer to your assertion that one could just pay a bit more for a direct flight. I do , however, agree with one of your remarks - yes, what you say does, indeed, have no need for a brain.

[scottish-guy]

' made from real plastic '

What is synthetic plastic made from then?

That was the joke!

You’re not having a good day are you?

:D

[frequent]

Actually, the vast majority of users of this forum don't actually post ...

I love the way some people use "most" or "seem" in place of any fact ... Indeed

[frequent]

Err yes.. - but in case you hadn't noticed, the vast majority of visitors to the LoS are not from N. America. Most Americans seem to prefer the PI scene - which can be done in one leg from the west coast at least..When I was flying West Coast - Bangkok it was always a one-leg flight, with the break in Tokyo. I was tempted when I worked in Texas to use Continental's Dallas - Tokyo. United flies direct from Chicago to Tokyo. Everywhere from North America to Bangkok is "one-leg" except when Thai flew direct from LA

[frequent]

... amounts of tourism ...What is the unit of measure for an "amount" of tourism I wonder

[paborn]

When I was flying West Coast - Bangkok it was always a one-leg flight, with the break in Tokyo. I was tempted when I worked in Texas to use Continental's Dallas - Tokyo. United flies direct from Chicago to Tokyo. Everywhere from North America to Bangkok is "one-leg" except when Thai flew direct from LA

Frequent. Please, you can't manipulate English to make it mean what you want.

I spent 25 years as a consultant to the travel industry. Please understand, " a one-leg flight, with the break in Tokyo" is a CONNECTION. When you flew to Tokyo from Chicago that was a connection of 90 minutes to 2 hours and you still had an 8 hour flight to Bangkok. I did not include the old LAX to Bangkok Thai flight as to almost all Americnas it was still a connection from somewhere else in a very large country.

It's hard to believe that this all started because I pointed out that one can't, always, simply pay a little more and get a direct flight. Anyway, "old Git's" ill infiormed comment has already seen more play than it deserves.>

[frequent]

Frequent. Please, you can't manipulate English to make it mean what you want.Don't be ridiculous, posters here do it all the time. As you yourself have pointed out, you worked in the travel industry, so you are familiar with its technical terms. To the layman they are interchangeable

If you want to stimulate an argument about meanings of words I suggest you post a question on Thaivisa about "renewing" a retirement visa. Swarms of posters will descend on you to tell you that there's no such thing; technically people are extending their visa, not renewing it - and that's true. However, go to any Thai government web site and they all talk about "renewing" your visa. It's a distinction without a difference to the non-specialist

[Old git]

' What is the unit of measure for an "amount" of tourism I wonder '

Paborn is numerically challenged, methinks..

[frequent]

' What is the unit of measure for an "amount" of tourism I wonder '

Paborn is numerically challenged, methinks..I suspect we'll find it's a technical term in the travel industry based on his 25 years experience as a consultant

[frequent]

Frequent. Please, you can't manipulate English to make it mean what you want. I spent 25 years as a consultant to the travel industry. I spent 25 years as a consultant to the travel industry. Please understand, " a one-leg flight, with the break in Tokyo" is a CONNECTION.

Apparently
7637
7638

[arsenal]

I think I might set myself as a consultant on how to get on Freakybum's ignore list.

[goji]

One piece of hand luggage can carry everything I need. I travel light and laugh at the Chinese tourists with their trunks.
I travel like that for European breaks of a week or so, but have about 15kg of stuff in a full size rucksack for Thailand. Suppose I could cut it to the size of hand luggage permitted by full service airlines, but it would be problematic on low cost airlines.

[scottish-guy]

Travelling with one piece of hand luggage for a 3 or 4 week holiday explains why people avoid being within a 20 foot radius of him (especially downwind)

:dirol_mini:

[arsenal]

Well I don't need to carry kilts, bagpipes, sporrans, a dirk, the complete works of Robert Burns, a box of shortbread and a huge bed spread sized saltire so it's easier for me.

[paborn]

In all fairness paborn he thread is about “ A new travel option for UK members”!

I worked in the UK - it is an option for some. Just as Frequent is correct that Thai out of LA was an option for some. Scotty had already mentioned that only a few airports offered it and he was right. Besides, when did this boars EVER stay stricktly to the "topic" -"in fairness" it's not a legal contract.

[paborn]

Apparently
7637
7638

Frequent, my God you never give up. Let me help you: a NON-STOP does not stop! A direct flight ( in airline parlance ) is a stop in which you do not have to get off the plane - it discharges passengers and takes on new ones while refueling ( sometimes they push it by having you wait in the gate area ) , a connecting flight operates with two different planes and two flight numbers. This connection ios within the states airport connecting time for that airline. Outside that it is a a layover.

Both of your examples are within those guidelines. Thus, you went to a lot of work but you are still wrong - or, at least, I think your wrong. I can't really figure out your point

[StevieWonders]

I think I might set myself as a consultant on how to get on Freakybum's ignore list.Your an inspiration to us all.

[arsenal]

Paborn wrote about Freakybum.
"I can't really figure out your point"

Welcome to our world.

[frequent]

Both of your examples are within those guidelines. Thus, you went to a lot of work but you are still wrong - or, at least, I think your wrong. I can't really figure out your pointPerhaps if you read post #42 it might help your confusion

[francois]

If you want to stimulate an argument about meanings of words I suggest you post a question on Thaivisa about "renewing" a retirement visa. Swarms of posters will descend on you to tell you that there's no such thing; technically people are extending their visa, not renewing it - and that's true.

Technically people are extending their permission of stay in the Kingdom, not extending nor renewing their visa - and that's true.

[frequent]

Technically people are extending their permission of stay in the Kingdom, not extending nor renewing their visa - and that's true.My point however is that the Thais themselves often don't refer to it as an extension but as a renewal, and even more confusing as a renewal of extension (https://www.thaiimmigration.net/thai-retirement-visa.html), once there has been an initial extension. Or take this statement from a supposedly reputable visa agent (https://www.keyvisathailand.com/services/retirement-visa-in-thailand/) -
"Currently, you can apply to renew your visa 45 days before it expires. You should renew as early as possible and not leave it to the last minute." That's on the same page where they describe it as an extension. You can find multiple examples of this confusion on many sites serving the immigration needs of foreigners

To revert to my original point: - use technical terms, as paborn does, and assume that outsiders will understand them the way insiders do is a recipe for confusion

[paborn]

My point however is that the Thais themselves often don't refer to it as an extension but as a renewal, and even more confusing as a renewal of extension (https://www.thaiimmigration.net/thai-retirement-visa.html), once there has been an initial extension. Or take this statement from a supposedly reputable visa agent (https://www.keyvisathailand.com/services/retirement-visa-in-thailand/) -
"Currently, you can apply to renew your visa 45 days before it expires. You should renew as early as possible and not leave it to the last minute." That's on the same page where they describe it as an extension. You can find multiple examples of this confusion on many sites serving the immigration needs of foreigners

To revert to my original point: - use technical terms, as paborn does, and assume that outsiders will understand them the way insiders do is a recipe for confusion

What deep technicality about NON-STOP flight and CONNECTIOn was beyond your comprehension? I can draw pictures for you if it helps.

[frequent]

What deep technicality about NON-STOP flight and CONNECTIOn was beyond your comprehension? I can draw pictures for you if it helps.Once again you have demonstrated that you cannot follow a logical argument. Please provide the post number where I confuse non-stop and connection

[paborn]

I recently receivved some good advice and will not waste my time. I begin to wonder if you have ever traveled beyond what little village you live in.

[frequent]

I recently receivved some good advice and will not waste my time. I begin to wonder if you have ever traveled beyond what little village you live in.Just as I supposed, you have found it does not exist - like the American insistence that there were WMD in Iraq

[poshglasgow]

Lucky you Gerefan - but direct flights are not an option for the overwhelming majority of UK airports (there's only 2, maybe 3 UK airports doing direct flights to Thailand).

What would put me off this "lucky dip" idea isn't an indirect flight per se, but the length of the layover you'd be "allocated" with no option to change/challenge it. Could easily be in excess of 24 hours.

Absolutely agree. The layover is the most strenuous part of the trip.

I flew recently with the Swiss/Lufthansa combination. Hated Lufthansa but rated the return with Swiss.

I used to enjoy a break in the journey but now favour sitting back, getting a few beers down me and enjoying some red wine with the meal, instead of worrying about the change midway!

[paborn]

When I consulted in the industry I had access to various airline computers and it was easy to check flights but the new online systems, usually, make one thing easier - seeing the total duration. I have flights offered from the US to Bangkok from 23 hours total to more than 40!!! Yipes, sure the fare is cheaper but goodness.

One thing people forget, and the way I look at it, is total door to door travel. I suspect that if you are far enough from an airport with a non-stop flight it might make sense to accept a connection from a local airport.

When I just entered retirement I booked a Thailand trip to use up United miles. The United system allowed me to book a flight AND secure a seat. I flew UA to Zurich and when I got there the Thai flight did not operate that day - I HAD A SEAT NUMBER. Had to be a glitch since there was an airline employee sitting at the, otherwise empty, check in - just waiting. They booked me on a new flight that was, blessedly non stop - but, I had to wait about 20 hours.Total hell - if you're ever stuck in Zurich buy a reasonably priced day pass to the lounge. Free food and wine - it made it bearable

[gerefan2]

- if you're ever stuck in Zurich buy a reasonably priced day pass to the lounge. Free food and wine - it made it bearable

I tried to use the business lounge at Dubai the other week when I upgraded to Business Class for the second leg to BKK from the UK. The upgrade said I wasn't entitled..but nothing ventured nothing gained.

They wouldn't allow me in but did say I could go inside for U.S. $150! Did they think I was American!

[paborn]

When I said reasonably priced it was more like $30 - I think - but, if it were much over that I would certainly remember.

[Nirish guy]

I tried to use the business lounge at Dubai the other week when I upgraded to Business Class for the second leg to BKK from the UK. The upgrade said I wasn't entitled..but nothing ventured nothing gained.

?? Like you I think that's weird as I too would have genuinely believed I'd be entitled to that. I've used that same lounge and got caught the other way on the first leg of the flight out, where they then denied my access on landing in Dubai, that I can just about understand / swallow, but surely your entitlement should have started with your arrival at the airport - whether by car at Dubai or plane from Dublin ! Yep another way of them saving a few quid, BUT for all it would have cost them, dont know about you but my attitude was screw them and I'll simply not do that upgrade again now ( probably).

[goji]

That's an interesting one. Business class not allowing you to use the business lounge. What next, business class only allowing you into economy ? Unless the upgrade was very cheap, I would be tempted to boycott them after that. An abnormally low upgrade cost would soften the blow.

In Heathrow, you can pay up for lounge access for about £35. Am not sure if the Taliban offer such perks in the middle eastern airports.

[gerefan2]

That's an interesting one. Business class not allowing you to use the business lounge. What next, business class only allowing you into economy ? Unless the upgrade was very cheap, I would be tempted to boycott them after that. An abnormally low upgrade cost would soften the blow.

In Heathrow, you can pay up for lounge access for about £35. Am not sure if the Taliban offer such perks in the middle eastern airports.

Fare economy £580. Upgrade on check in, about £370 EACH leg. So, correct NOT cheap at all! I only upgraded the Dubai to BKK leg and the return BKK to Dubai leg (because it was an A380, and very very nice too...with a bar on board). The outbound steak was awesome, I have to say. Even our gourmets would have approved, but maybe not at the price!

Quite clear on booking that there was no entry to Business Class lounges or free pick ups.

[paborn]

Fare economy £580. Upgrade on check in, about £370 EACH leg. So, correct NOT cheap at all! I only upgraded the Dubai to BKK leg and the return BKK to Dubai leg (because it was an A380, and very very nice too...with a bar on board). The outbound steak was awesome, I have to say. Even our gourmets would have approved, but maybe not at the price!

Quite clear on booking that there was no entry to Business Class lounges or free pick ups.

This is the kind of thing that pisses me off. They treat coach like trash and even if you pay for an upgrade they still want to make you feel second class.

[Nirish guy]

Just as a counter balance to the above I’m pleased to report that on my Malaysian Airlines flight from Bali to Phuket ( stopping over and changing in KL) I paid around £100 -130 roughly ( can’t recall the exact figure) for the actual flight but then got an email inviting me to “bid” fir an upgrade so myself and my travel companion both agreed to bid no more than 120 US dollars each (in total) and see what happened.

We both were successful and got full lounge access and business class travel on BOTH legs only our flight and as the first leg was on a brand new A380 I think that’s the best value I’ve ever had and am ever likely to score on ANY airline - ever ! :-)

[poshglasgow]

That's an interesting one. Business class not allowing you to use the business lounge. What next, business class only allowing you into economy ? Unless the upgrade was very cheap, I would be tempted to boycott them after that. An abnormally low upgrade cost would soften the blow.

In Heathrow, you can pay up for lounge access for about £35. Am not sure if the Taliban offer such perks in the middle eastern airports.

Why not contact the head of customer relations? His Name? Al Ka-Aida (loves a great Italian opera). He has an alcoholic brother who surfaces, bleary-eyed, each morning a few minutes before noon. His name? Al-Caseltzer!

[frequent]

Emirates “upgrade purchase” gives you priority boarding and a Business Class seat on the aircraft - nothing else. No lounge access, no extra baggage allowance, points at the class of original purchase if you’re a frequent flyer, no limo transfers (where otherwise offered)

[goji]

Malaysian Airlines
From your post, I presume they even got there without losing yet another aircraft, so a good result all round.


Fare economy £580. Upgrade on check in, about £370 EACH leg. So, correct NOT cheap at all! I only upgraded the Dubai to BKK leg and the return BKK to Dubai leg
You're not kidding. That's about £1320. If the upgrade cost for the other legs was the same, that's £2060 to get a price for the whole trip.

Finn air do business class from £1723, although I recognize you might not want to start from Heathrow & my dates might be completely different to yours.
[Excuse any minor errors, as I'm trying to do this with no calculator]

[Nirish guy]

I'm guessing that Colmx falls into my category of traveller i.e when he reaches the counter and he's tired, or wanting to see a new plane or just wanting to "splurge" he simply says "fuck it" and goes ahead and books whatever it is he fancies without doing a forensic accounting exercise as to whether he should or not on the off chance that he can get it cheaper in some other way on another airline etc. My trouble is my brain ALWAYS works like that but alas my bank account doesn't always decide to work accordingly along with it ! :-(

[gerefan2]

You're not kidding. That's about £1320. If the upgrade cost for the other legs was the same, that's £2060 to get a price for the whole trip.

]. Correct £2060 if you upgrade the whole trip. As I said in post #67 NOT cheap!

[frequent]

There's always Thai Airways standby upgrade option - https://www.thaiairways.com/en_AU/plan_my_trip/Special_fare/Offers_Booking/standby_airport.page

[frequent]

From your post, I presume they even got there without losing yet another aircraft, so a good result all round.I did try to order a "pork special meal" on MH once; the request was rather frostily received by the rather cute young man in the London office

[gerefan2]

There's always Thai Airways standby upgrade option - https://www.thaiairways.com/en_AU/plan_my_trip/Special_fare/Offers_Booking/standby_airport.page

London to Bangkok and return upgrade is a minimum of £1700, plus economy ticket say £600. No thanks.

[frequent]

London to Bangkok and return upgrade is a minimum of £1700, plus economy ticket say £600. No thanks.I use Jetradar to search for tickets. If you're brave enough Egyptair is offering a full fare Business Class return in November for £1237, and direct you can get Eva for £2397, not much more than risking no upgrade on Thai as theirs are all standby at the airport. BA is £2669 but Thai is £2825 (for an inferior in-flight experience IMHO - although not quite as bad as "The World's Favourite Airline" which I haven't flown for several years now). If your origin is Bangkok, however, those Business Class prices fall to £1034 on Gulf Air but rise to £2854 on Eva. BA is £2584 and Thai is a whopping £3599

[scottish-guy]

The discussion of Business Class fares is of little interest to the majority of SGT members who have no interest in downgrading from First

[aot871]

The discussion of Business Class fares is of little interest to the majority of SGT members who have no interest in downgrading from First

IF Only,,,,,who has that amount of spare cash 5555

[Nirish guy]

Sorry I doubt that SG will be able to reply as I'm guessing he still has his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek from when he was writing that post :-)

Mind you, we do and have had several "millionaires" ( in BITCOIN at least) on the board so who knows maybe he's not far off the mark ! :)

[arsenal]

From what I understand our bitcoin millionaire found the lounge at Bangkok Airport so comfy and to his liking that he spent several days there and is by all accounts planning to return asap.

[goji]

The discussion of Business Class fares is of little interest to the majority of SGT members who have no interest in downgrading from First

I thought they were all on private jets.

[kjun12]

but it was not conducive to an anxiety free trip

That was because of the creep you were traveling with.

[scottish-guy]

That was because of the creep you were traveling with.

You've no idea of who I am or with whom I was traveling - if you think you do, let's hear it.

I noticed you'd made 2 posts today - one attacking Gaybutton and one having a go at my "travelling companion" whom you don't even know.
Neither was remotely humourous so I guessed the object of your postings was just to be an acid queen for the day?

Then I decided to do a search on your posts, and I see that there's a pattern to your comments:

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/search.php?searchid=577325

Suggest you lighten up.

[frequent]

Suggest you lighten up.You don't remember kunt12? Pretty much standard fare I'm afraid

[scottish-guy]

I recognise his ID, but with very few exceptions I don't care enough about what people say on here to waste any brain cells storing their outpourings

:drink:

[frequent]

I recognise his ID, but with very few exceptions I don't care enough about what people say on here to waste any brain cells storing their outpouringsAll I needed to do was check my Ignore list when I saw you had quoted someone whose ravings didn't show up in my feed

[DrewSpz]

Hi UK travelers.... can I get some help confirming my flight timings in relation to the time changes. I’m trying to discern this via the booking site but I just want to be sure... as this is work and if I show up a day late, I’ll be out of a job.

So my flight leaves BKK on the 30th at 0200. Total travel duration is 16 hours and 50 minutes. So basically the time in thailand at the end of the entire trip would be 6pm same day. Since London is 6 hours behind, by my calculations, I will land in London SAME DAY, 30th, at 1:00pm.

Sound correct?

[gerefan2]

The correct way to do the calculations is to change everything into UK time.

UK is 6hours behind Thailand (at the MOMENT). Will be 7 in the winter.

So deduct 6 hours from the departure time ( if traveling now). So Dep time is 20.00 on the 29th.

Then simply add the 16.50 traveling time....so arrival is 12.50 the following day...i.e 12.50 on the 30th.

[scottish-guy]

Yes Drew, when you leave Thailand in the very early hours (say 00.01- 03.00) on your way back to UK, then - unless you have some completely horrendous layover, which you clearly don't have on your 16.5 hr flight - you arrive back in the UK around lunchtime the same day.

[MiniMee]

DrewSpz, flights from BKK to LHR usually take 11.5 hours, not 16.8. Are you flying via Beijing?

[scottish-guy]

Dubai or Doha or Abu Dhabi is my guess - 15-17 hours are normal flight durations for such flights

[billyhouston]

Living in the boonies at both ends I find MAN - HKG - CNX to be the most convenient routing. Cathay Pacific's A350-900s are preferable to the usual 777s others use and going twice through security better than three times.