Creating a Flying Experience for a first time INTL traveller

[moongirl]

My best friend and I have our birthdays just a few days apart, and so celebrate a "Birthday Festival". This year for the 15th Annual Birthday Festival we're taking it international for the first time. I'm taking her to Koh Samui for a week's holiday in June for our Birthdays. She has never travelled internationally before, in fact, has never been on a flight of more than two hours (flying to visit me BNE to MEL when I lived there).

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can make her/our flying experience more special? It is possible to upgrade somehow? Although I do only have QFF points and we did probably buy the most basic fare: flying to BKK on 19/06 on TG992 Economy (V). Our accommodation is all sorted, so it was more about making the journey more exciting if possible.

Any advice greatfully received….

m00ngirl

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

Lots of passport checks. Fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur if you can.

 

[moongirl]

Lots of passport checks. Fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur if you can.

Flight TG992 (Thai Airways) from direct BNE to BKK is already booked, I don't have the option of changing. And apologies for not mentioning my departure location.....

 

[futaris]

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can make her/our flying experience more special? It is possible to upgrade somehow? Although I do only have QFF points and we did probably buy the most basic fare: flying to BKK on 19/06 on TG992 Economy (V).

According to the Thai Royal Orchid Plus Mileage Upgrade Award Chart upgrading from Economy (V) to:

Premium Economy: 32,000 UGL4
Royal Silk Class: 56,000 UGI4A

If you don't have any Thai Royal Orchid Plus miles then you can't upgrade, as you would need some other *A miles, and need to have a Y or B fare basis.

Note that you probably won't be able to credit to any *A mileage programs, e.g. V class (on Thai) earns nothing in BMI Diamond Club, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer or in Thai Royal Orchid Plus.

On all THAI operated flights, for paid travel in most booking classes, you earn miles, plus additional class of service miles. For THAI flights less than 500 miles in distance, you earn a minimum of 500 miles.

Class of Service: Economy Class *
Miles Earnt (Actual Miles Flown): 100%

* Excluding G/V/W booking classes that are not eligable for mileage accrual.

 

[meloz]

Not sure I can help you with the flying experience but make sure to have a jug or 2 of Kamikazee at Legends Bar next door to the Islander Bar, and try a few late night coughtails on the beach at the Ark Bar.

Enjoy

Meloz

 

[anat0l]

If you're with Amex Membership Rewards, you can credit points to TG Royal Orchid, but it's not a great ratio - that's an exorbitant amount of points you'll need in MR to make it happen, even to only PY.

 

[moongirl]

Not sure I can help you with the flying experience but make sure to have a jug or 2 of Kamikazee at Legends Bar next door to the Islander Bar, and try a few late night coughtails on the beach at the Ark Bar.

Enjoy

Meloz

Thanks Meloz, I'll look out for those places

m00ngirl

 

[Natt]

Is the any way you can get access to an Aiport Lounge pre-flight?

I know this sounds odd, but when I started travelling this was an extra special thing, and made me feel quite plush

 

[futaris]

Is the any way you can get access to an Aiport Lounge pre-flight?

Since you're travelling on a Star Alliance member (Thai Airways), the only way to get access to an Airport Lounge, e.g. Krisflyer Lounge or Koru Club Lounge in Brisbane, is:

• Have Star Alliance Gold
• Have United Airlines Red Carpet Club membership (similar to QANTAS Club)

You might also be able to get in if you have one of the following (not 100% sure):

• Air NZ Koru Club
• US Airways Club w/ Star Alliance

Failing that the only way you can get in is to be guested by another member (of one of the above) flying from the same airport at roughly the same time. Of course, you will also get access if you fly Business Class.

If you're extremely lucky, someone else with QF WP (Platinum) may be able to guest one person into the QANTAS Club, if their flight leaves at approximately the same time.

Paid Airline Lounge Membership Program Comparison

 

[moongirl]

Is the any way you can get access to an Aiport Lounge pre-flight?

I know this sounds odd, but when I started travelling this was an extra special thing, and made me feel quite plush

No doesn't sound odd at all..... I'd love to be able to take her into a lounge, I think she would like that, but unfortunately I'm a total pleb and not a member of anything.

 

[auriga]

I would think that being on an international flight for the first time would be excitement enough! Save the upgrades/ lounges etc for when she becomes "jaded"!:mrgreen: