Elite Visa

[teler]

On 19/05/2024 at 23:05, hansi003 said:

a question to all. when did you get your elite card? i was at a kasikorn in pattaya and they refused to open a bank account for me, because "you dont have card".

I never got it until I asked for it. Then maybe 1 month to receive after asking for it. 

[Thomaz73]

On 19/05/2024 at 23:05, hansi003 said:

a question to all. when did you get your elite card? i was at a kasikorn in pattaya and they refused to open a bank account for me, because "you dont have card".

The day they added the sticker in my passport. Contact TE. 

Btw, are you saying Kasikorn will happily open an account if you have Elite? 

[Carcosa]

If you want the full service then contact TE, they will arrange an appointment at the bank and provide the bank with your details etc., Walk in at the selected time and 10 minutes later you will walk out with with a functioning bank account. Pre-load the banking app and let them do all the authorisation on our behalf although tbh its very easy to do yourself. Recent changes to banking app security mean you cannot set it up using a VPN, or via wifi. There is however no reason why you can't go to the bank yourself armed with your TE card and letter of acceptance.

[hansi003]

On 29/05/2024 at 10:30, teler said:

I never got it until I asked for it. Then maybe 1 month to receive after asking for it. 

i had to ask for it too and as you said, after one month it was sent by DHL

[Stingray2]

On 22/02/2022 at 14:46, LoomService said:

This thread has been valuable as I work on getting my 5 year Elite visa.  Some updated information:

- I submitted my application and was approved in about 13 days.   Crazy fast.
- As of January 7, 2022, Wise (Transferwise) will only allow sending amounts above 50,000 THB to Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, or Siam Commericial bank.  Elite visa doesn't use one of these banks, so it seems Wise is not an option anymore.  Sad, because they have the best rate.
- Paying via CC on www.thailandelite.com is still giving the really bad rate.  I was quoted 30.349 baht/ USD.  I do not recommend.
- My bank doesn't support sending Thai baht, so I'm going to try sending over USD, and then having Krungthai do the conversion from USD -> Baht.  I'll probably end up overpaying a little and then having the Elite people issue a refund (at a cost of 3000 baht to process the refund!)

Were you able to send USD and have it converted? I made sure my bank can transfer via wire to Thailand but I never asked them if they can send in Thai baht. 

[Stingray2]

On 29/05/2024 at 02:04, Thomaz73 said:

The day they added the sticker in my passport. Contact TE. 

Btw, are you saying Kasikorn will happily open an account if you have Elite? 

They handed you the card at the airport upon arrival?

[Thomaz73]

53 minutes ago, Stingray2 said:

They handed you the card at the airport upon arrival?

No, I was already here. It was at the immigration office in Chaengwattana. 

But it was my impression it would have been the same if on arrival. Was quite a while back, though. Once you start the process, you will get emails explaining the steps. You can also just email if you want to clarify something before signing up. 

[Stingray2]

15 minutes ago, Thomaz73 said:

No, I was already here. It was at the immigration office in Chaengwattana. 

But it was my impression it would have been the same if on arrival. Was quite a while back, though. Once you start the process, you will get emails explaining the steps. You can also just email if you want to clarify something before signing up. 

I applied Dec 11, still waiting on approval. 

[JamesCook45]

It takes a few weeks.  Mine did.  There is a Facebook group 'Thail Privilege Members Group'.  My 5 years expires soon.  Going to extend it for another 15, but not until I have to or I will lose the airport service. 

[LASportsNut]

Just a heads up.

I recently started flying STARLUX and overall it’s a great option for LAX → BKK.

That said, there’s one downside if you’re using Thai Privilege arrival services.

STARLUX typically parks at the new Satellite Terminal (Terminal S) at BKK. Because of that, the arrival agents can’t pick you up with the electric carts, which kind of defeats half the purpose of the service.

They’ll still meet you and escort you through Fast Track immigration, but honestly, that part alone isn’t a big value add for me.

So for now, I’ll probably stick with other airlines where the full pickup + cart service works properly, unless STARLUX has an exceptional fare that makes it worth the trade-off.

Great airline, just not ideal if maximizing the Thai Privilege arrival experience is important to you.

[Ohyesuare]

1 hour ago, JamesCook45 said:

It takes a few weeks.  Mine did.  There is a Facebook group 'Thail Privilege Members Group'.  My 5 years expires soon.  Going to extend it for another 15, but not until I have to or I will lose the airport service. 

Mine does too. Do you think they'll still honor the 15 year upgrade for 400k THB? Also don't leave it too late because immigration is requiring extra background checks for new or renewed Elite visas.

[JamesCook45]

Yes, I've seen people upgrade successfully on the Facebook group.  

The background check is part of the reason I didn't upgrade yet.  It keeps me honest.  A few times over the past few years I have really wanted to give someone, usually a drunk guy in a bar, a slap, but the police report might affect my future, so I walk away.