BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Update

[Mal]

"The temporary lounge facilities at the new Bangkok Airport are now open.

Until late December 2006, Qantas and British Airways will be using temporary lounge facilities for our First and Business Class customers in Bangkok. Due to space limitations, access to these facilities will be restricted to customers travelling in First and Business Class on the day of travel.

The lounge is called the 'Louis Tavern' facility and is located on Level 3, at the junction of Concourse F and G.

Unfortunately access will not be possible for other customers travelling in Economy/World Traveller or World Traveller Plus that would normally be entitled to use the lounges (e.g Qantas Club, Executive Club or other oneWorld membership). "

 

[JohnK]

The lounge is called the 'Louis Tavern' facility and is located on Level 3, at the junction of Concourse F and G.

Interesting using the name of the hotel chain for the lounge. Anyone notice if Louis Tavern have rooms airside in the new airport?

 

[tallboy]

Interesting using the name of the hotel chain for the lounge. Anyone notice if Louis Tavern have rooms airside in the new airport?

This is the lounge I used last week. It is just a relatively comfortable but small CIP lounge. Some basic but adequate catering, and at that stage quite a few workers still putting finishing touches to the facilities. Could see no obvious attachment to the hotel chain.

 

[simongr]

The lounge is called the 'Louis Tavern' facility and is located on Level 3, at the junction of Concourse F and G.

Unfortunately access will not be possible for other customers travelling in Economy/World Traveller or World Traveller Plus that would normally be entitled to use the lounges (e.g Qantas Club, Executive Club or other oneWorld membership). "

So it looks like I can access the Airport of Thailand Lounge as documented in your other post:

In the meantime, First and Business Class customers and Frequent Flyer members with access to the Qantas Club can use the Airport of Thailand Lounge operated by the Miracle Grand Hotel."

Its a bit confusing really

 

[Altair]

Interesting using the name of the hotel chain for the lounge. Anyone notice if Louis Tavern have rooms airside in the new airport?

I believe it is run by the same group. UA has their elites using this lounge as well not the TG Royal Silk one.
Yes there are day rooms open according to a friend who returned last week on TG. I also think the Novotel (?) offers competitive rates if over a certain number of hours.

 

[simongr]

Any updates from QF SG/oneworld Sapphire/Emerald travelling economy through BKK regarding lounge access?

 

[JohnK]

Any updates from QF SG/oneworld Sapphire/Emerald travelling economy through BKK regarding lounge access?

The QF website does not have new updates, only what Mal posted several days ago. I guess economy travellers will need to wait until the new lounge opens!

The Qantas and British Airways First and Business lounges at the new Bangkok airport have not yet been completed. Until late December 2006, Qantas will be using temporary lounge facilities for our First and Business customers in Bangkok. Due to space limitations, access will be restricted to customers flying in Qantas First and Business on the day of travel.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm flying into BKK on QF (J) and out the next day on TG (J as well) then later on I'll be flying in on TG (J) and out on BA (J) so will be able to check out the lounges - looking forward to seeing the much talked about TG lounge!

Question - I'm overnighting in the Novotel - do I have to clear immigration etc?
Acutally I think that may be a stupid question because I will have to collect my baggage I suppose from the QF flight to fly out on TG the next morning...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yes you need to clear immigration if staying at Novotel (plus pay departure tax).

 

[pauly7]

Yes you need to clear immigration if staying at Novotel (plus pay departure tax).

Great thanks for that - and work pays so care factor zero
Can you pay the taxes on c/card?

 

[Mal]

Great thanks for that - and work pays so care factor zero
Can you pay the taxes on c/card?

Cash only at this stage Apparently from 1 Feb next year it rises to 700 Baht, and will be added to the price of airfares rather than being charged at the airport.

One option is to see if your hotel can sell you a departure tax slip and add it to your hotel bill. Being the Novotel right next to the airport, I assume they would have that option (a lot of BKK hotels do, but I've never used it).

 

[jakeseven7]

Great thanks for that - and work pays so care factor zero
Can you pay the taxes on c/card?

pauly7 - have you stayed at the Novotel already? - or anyone else? What is it like? I'm off there the end of this month.

 

[infoworks]

I'm pretty sure it's only payable in cash. I'm not aware of any airport facility that takes anything but cash (NZ BNZ may be different) for departure taxes.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm pretty sure it's only payable in cash. I'm not aware of any airport facility that takes anything but cash (NZ BNZ may be different) for departure taxes.

Yes you can def pay by C/C in NZ.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

NZ departure tax can be paid by credit card.

Here in Suvarnbhumi right now. Took 15 minutes for them to work the airbridge, and even then only got one of the dual airbridges working. SQ was saying they have been having problems every flight (they are allocated the same gates each time).

Transfer painless. Annoying the lounge doesn't have a shower. I'll post more in my trip report.

 

[JohnK]

Cash only at this stage Apparently from 1 Feb next year it rises to 700 Baht, and will be added to the price of airfares rather than being charged at the airport.

Yes it is increasing to 700 Baht from the 1st February. They wanted to charge 700 Baht from the opening of the new airport but were told to wait until early next year. Personally I would rather departure taxes remain the responsibility of the passenger.

I am almost certain that most airlines, especially QF, would pass this cost directly on to the passenger as part of the taxes & surcharges. QF would not want to miss an opportunity to collect additional charge for award bookings. QF, and other airlines, have been givfen a new opportunity to fiddle taxes & surcharges by using very favourable exchange rates to their advantage. Like letting a child loose in a candy store.

 

[one9]

Yes it is increasing to 700 Baht from the 1st February. They wanted to charge 700 Baht from the opening of the new airport but were told to wait until early next year. Personally I would rather departure taxes remain the responsibility of the passenger.

I am almost certain that most airlines, especially QF, would pass this cost directly on to the passenger as part of the taxes & surcharges. QF would not want to miss an opportunity to collect additional charge for award bookings. QF, and other airlines, have been givfen a new opportunity to fiddle taxes & surcharges by using very favourable exchange rates to their advantage. Like letting a child loose in a candy store.

]

Whilst I see your point, I think it is MUCH better for the airlines to collect taxes. Two primary reasons:
* Not having to worry to keep the right amount of local currency for departure.
* Makes it a lot easier as claiming as a business expense if its just on your plane flight. If you have to pay cash, then you need to remember to be reimbursed etc. and some just wouldnt bother.

 

[jakeseven7]

]

Whilst I see your point, I think it is MUCH better for the airlines to collect taxes. Two primary reasons:
* Not having to worry to keep the right amount of local currency for departure.
* Makes it a lot easier as claiming as a business expense if its just on your plane flight. If you have to pay cash, then you need to remember to be reimbursed etc. and some just wouldnt bother.

I absolutely agree, paying the airport in cash is a pain in the a##! I still can't believe NZ collect it manually themselves, at least they take c/c's but still I have been in airports and queued for 20 minutes to pay departure taxes.

 

[oz_mark]

I am almost certain that most airlines, especially QF, would pass this cost directly on to the passenger as part of the taxes & surcharges. QF would not want to miss an opportunity to collect additional charge for award bookings. QF, and other airlines, have been givfen a new opportunity to fiddle taxes & surcharges by using very favourable exchange rates to their advantage. Like letting a child loose in a candy store.

What does it matter if it is a payment to QF as part of the taxes and charges, or by cash to a collection agent. You are paying it either way.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I absolutely agree, paying the airport in cash is a pain in the a##! I still can't believe NZ collect it manually themselves, at least they take c/c's but still I have been in airports and queued for 20 minutes to pay departure taxes.

In NZ I prefer to pay in cash. NZ, SQ, EK etc all take cash to pay departure tax (for premium pax). QF only takes credit card