Thai Royal Orchid J and F availability

[Duffa]

Haven't flown Thai for 20 years - that was in paid Y!
Now have a few points to spend and was wondering about Thai.
Couple of questions please....
What is the J product like compared to SQ or CX for example? (I know the F is pretty good from other reports)
What is award availability like to Europe in J or F and how much are the "fines"
I have joined but can't do any dummy runs as I have no points yet.

Many thanks

D

 

[Duffa]

Don't worry CE, I'm not planning to desert the SQ ship, just yet!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Don't worry CE, I'm not planning to desert the SQ ship, just yet!!

No biggie - I am really interested to see the responses - TG be metal on MEL route as yet?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Haven't flown Thai for 20 years - that was in paid Y!
Now have a few points to spend and was wondering about Thai.
Couple of questions please....
What is the J product like compared to SQ or CX for example? (I know the F is pretty good from other reports)
What is award availability like to Europe in J or F and how much are the "fines"
I have joined but can't do any dummy runs as I have no points yet.

Many thanks

D

All those carriers have their pros and cons.

From MEL you should be getting the A350 with full flats on all flights from early October (supposedly). TGs 747s, 772s and 773s still have angled lie flats (the 77W is full flat as is the 787).

Availability on TG is usually very good, with plenty of seats. These are released two at a time until the initial allocation is exhausted (8 seats in business class is not uncommon, sometimes even more).

Pros and cons for business class? CX probably has the best seat (longest). SQ the best food (but not the best seat). TG's business class meals are simply economy meals plated on china, but this is supposedly changing with their new 'street food' concept with a la carte service. That's only offered on select flights atm. Business class ranking SQ or CX (depending on which bed you prefer)>TG.

First class... SQ>CX>TG. TG has the best ground handling at its hub, hands down, with golf cart transfers and the spa.

 

[travelislife]

Are you looking to use ROP miles for these bookings?

If so their are no fuel surcharges levied on bookings originating in BKK. But there is from other ports. On recent bookings made using ROP miles a business class MEL-BKK-MEL itinerary had ~600AUD in charges. At the same time we made a booking for another ticket BKK-MEL-BKK and the charges were only ~$120AUD. So massive difference, if using ROP miles try and originate itineraries in BKK.

They have some great perks if you are Gold status. Annual half price award to anywhere on the network (makes Europe very cheap in business/first). As well as a guaranteed round trip upgrade.

 

[Duffa]

All those carriers have their pros and cons.

From MEL you should be getting the A350 with full flats on all flights from early October (supposedly). TGs 747s, 772s and 773s still have angled lie flats (the 77W is full flat as is the 787).

Availability on TG is usually very good, with plenty of seats. These are released two at a time until the initial allocation is exhausted (8 seats in business class is not uncommon, sometimes even more).

Pros and cons for business class? CX probably has the best seat (longest). SQ the best food (but not the best seat). TG's business class meals are simply economy meals plated on china, but this is supposedly changing with their new 'street food' concept with a la carte service. That's only offered on select flights atm. Business class ranking SQ or CX (depending on which bed you prefer)>TG.

First class... SQ>CX>TG. TG has the best ground handling at its hub, hands down, with golf cart transfers and the spa.

Nice summary and thank you MT.
I think I'll stick with SQ and CX for the moment - will wait for a few TRs on the A350.

 

[Duffa]

Are you looking to use ROP miles for these bookings?

If so their are no fuel surcharges levied on bookings originating in BKK. But there is from other ports. On recent bookings made using ROP miles a business class MEL-BKK-MEL itinerary had ~600AUD in charges. At the same time we made a booking for another ticket BKK-MEL-BKK and the charges were only ~$120AUD. So massive difference, if using ROP miles try and originate itineraries in BKK.

They have some great perks if you are Gold status. Annual half price award to anywhere on the network (makes Europe very cheap in business/first). As well as a guaranteed round trip upgrade.

Yes I can transfer Citi Prestige at 1:1 same as SQ and CX
Good to know about the weird, origin-specific, fuel fines!!

 

[travelislife]

Oh the other thing is they have really good wait listing. You have one month before you have to ticket and can wait list other flights in the booking. Even after you ticket it you can keep the wait lists in there but costs 1200 baht to change if it comes through confirmed. Wait lists that clear in the one month window before ticketing are free of charge.