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Posted

I did my first BC in Feb from UK to BKK cost worked out at £2300 average economy about £800 imo paying the extra is well worth it, the whole experience is so relaxing you arrive refreshed and ready to go

Posted
8 hours ago, Plazz said:

I can "afford" the business class fare

You answered your own question.

I don't fly coach anywhere, including short trips, unless it is a one-class plane.  

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Posted
1 hour ago, ricktoronto said:

You will never find an airline selling points so cheaply such that you can pay a quarter of the ticket cost. They aren't idiots. You will find their world of dynamic points redemption which ensures this. Transferring between plans will be penalized for value if it's allowed at all, because you can redeem on alliance flights within your own plan, and with different redemption levels.

They adjust redemption levels (more points for popular dates and destinations) and book you with 3 connections as well.

Why do you think United sells points with 20 and 40% bonuses? So you can give them $2000 and then redeem a minute later for a $6000 ticket?

Look at nonstopdan on yt, he always shows what he paid for the ticket at the end.

Usually he buys air canada miles and buys a bc or first class ticket for 1/3 or 1/4 of the cash price. Its a known thing and nothing I have made up like you seem to believe.

Posted
5 hours ago, swede37 said:

Look into buying miles and transfer to another airline in the same alliance. Air canada miles is cheap from what Ive heard and ive seen many examples where its 1/4-1/3 of what the cost had been buying the ticket cash.

I never even heard of buying miles until this thread.  Going to Google that and see what I find.  Thanks!

 

"The grass is always greener over the septic tank." ~ Erma Bombeck

Posted
26 minutes ago, Plazz said:

I never even heard of buying miles until this thread.  Going to Google that and see what I find.  Thanks!

Please, do not just look where you can buy miles. Because you have to know on witch airline to spend them and, most important, are there places available on the  plane if you want to book with miles. Airlines do restict the amount of seats you can book with miles. Btw. many airlines will ask for additional payment, like booking fees and so on. 

So, don't just buy miles and then find out you can not use them. Also, BKK is one of the more popular Airports to use miles. You may have to book very early to get on the plane you want. 

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Posted
12 minutes ago, ZRHuser said:

Please, do not just look where you can buy miles. Because you have to know on witch airline to spend them and, most important, are there places available on the  plane if you want to book with miles. Airlines do restict the amount of seats you can book with miles. Btw. many airlines will ask for additional payment, like booking fees and so on. 

So, don't just buy miles and then find out you can not use them. Also, BKK is one of the more popular Airports to use miles. You may have to book very early to get on the plane you want. 

yes, taxes always have to be paid cash

Posted
10 hours ago, ricktoronto said:

You will never find an airline selling points so cheaply such that you can pay a quarter of the ticket cost. They aren't idiots. You will find their world of dynamic points redemption which ensures this. Transferring between plans will be penalized for value if it's allowed at all, because you can redeem on alliance flights within your own plan, and with different redemption levels.

They adjust redemption levels (more points for popular dates and destinations) and book you with 3 connections as well.

Why do you think United sells points with 20 and 40% bonuses? So you can give them $2000 and then redeem a minute later for a $6000 ticket?


Sorry, but you're wrong on that -- while they are the exception rather than the rule, there absolutely are situations where you can do it, and I documented it in this thread.

I bought 100,000 Aeroplan miles for $1,775 (don't recall price to the penny) then used those miles to book Thai first class from LHR to BKK.  I paid roughly $350 in taxes and fees on the award booking, so $2,125 all in. 

I checked immediately before doing it, and Thai was selling the ticket for roughly $5,900.  Factoring in taxes and fees, I got the ticket for roughly 36% of the price.

I've purchase Alaska miles with a 60% purchase bonus in the past, and then used 85,000 miles to fly Starlux.  The cost of the miles was 1.85 cents each, so I got that Starlux ticket for effectively $1,572.50 (+ taxes).  I've never seen Starlux OW in business class drop below $3,500, so about 50% off the purchase price.

There is a thread devoted to it here (although it has evolved into more of a general miles/points discussion):
https://forum.pattaya-addicts.com/topic/152591-long-haul-business-class-for-under-2k-long-post/#comment-2183190


There are some SERIOUS caveats:

 

 - as noted, you HAVE to make sure the award ticket is available and at a reasonable redemption rate BEFORE buying miles;

 - you have to make sure the miles purchase will post to your account in time to book it (before it goes away); and

 - if you can't go, there typically is a cancellation fee and you will be "stuck" with the purchased miles.

The final caveat is exactly what happened to me!  5555  It turns out, the business trip that I was worried about is NOT necessary, so I will end up paying about $110 to cancel and I'm going to have 100,000 Aeroplan miles for future use.

That said, I don't know what Thai's cancellation policy is, but my guess is it would have cost me more than $110 USD.  As for the Aeroplan miles, it's a great program with a ton of partners.  I frequently see award tickets available using them, so I won't worry about using them moving forward. 

Posted

Business class all the way for me when flying long haul. Sometimes I can get a ticket with points. Other times I have to buy a ticket. Last trip was $4450 USD. I’m fortunate that I can afford it and don’t have to cut back on other things in order to do it. There’ll just be a little less money left in the kitty when I’m gone. Now that I’m older, I’ve started flying business or first on shorter flights as well. Flying out to LOS again next week, this one on points.

Posted

18 trips in economy, last 3 trips in business. Never going back. I am lucky enough that I can afford it.

  • Like 2
Posted

I've only flew economy from LAX to BKK. I'm a big guy but most taiwanese airlines I've flown have enough space. I normally get a few beers in and take a nap and wake up a lot closer to the land of smiles

Posted

This thread is stretching out a bit. The OP probably has enough info, but I've got nothing else to do at the moment. 

Once you fly at the pointy end, it's hard to move back to cattle class. There are a lot of ways to get up front.

Qatar recently had a miles sale. As I recall it was a toofer. A one way ORD-BKK cost me just over $1,700 in the Qsuite.

Credit card points are a great option. Find a good card and run your entire life through it. When I was younger, I was able to fly BC on every other trip that way.

Avoid the US legacy carriers at all costs. If you're flying out of DTW, your options are limited. Korean Air is a good option. Just make sure it's not a code share on Delta aircraft.

It takes a bit of time, but look into a cheap positioning flight to an airport with better options. You'll find the best fares to BKK from the West coast. A fraction of what you pay from a middle of the country airport.

Without a doubt, the Asian and middle eastern carriers leave everybody else in the dust on the soft product.  If you're going to pay the price, might as well get the best experience.

I'm at an age I can't handle cattle class anymore. As I'm in retirement now, I'm not making anymore CC points. I've got enough to make 4 more BC trips. Then I'll probably have to settle for PE.

There is no question in my mind. If you can afford it. BC is the way to travel.

 

Posted
1 hour ago, SlowlyMan said:

 

It takes a bit of time, but look into a cheap positioning flight to an airport with better options. You'll find the best fares to BKK from the West coast. A fraction of what you pay from a middle of the country airport.

Without a doubt, the Asian and middle eastern carriers leave everybody else in the dust on the soft product.  If you're going to pay the price, might as well get the best experience.

I'm at an age I can't handle cattle class anymore. As I'm in retirement now, I'm not making anymore CC points. I've got enough to make 4 more BC trips. Then I'll probably have to settle for PE.

There is no question in my mind. If you can afford it. BC is the way to travel.

You're corroborating some great advice that led me to check only as far West as ORD, and the rates were FAR better.  Since I'm a native Californian, you got me thinking I need to take one last trip to my home state before leaving the US for good....

 

I'm 62...  3?  whatever.  Ass hurts.  Stomach sticks out.  Impatient and a bit crotchety at times.  Have to pee often....  To your point about having enough info, I'm definitely sold on BC at this point, but how I go about getting it matters a great deal, and I like the great deals people like you are leading me to.  Looks like a weekend in Hollywood enroute to LoS is in my near-future.

 

This is why I joined this forum.  You guys are the shiznit, fershizzle.  THANK YOU!!

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"The grass is always greener over the septic tank." ~ Erma Bombeck

Posted
3 hours ago, simon6666 said:

Average height guys be like.

the majority

 

"The grass is always greener over the septic tank." ~ Erma Bombeck

Posted

One more piece of advice from me - 

If you pay for business class (which it sounds like the direction you are heading), be sure to find a mileage program that is connected to whoever you are flying so you get credit for that flight.

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Posted

I’m of a different opinion than those who say avoid US carriers at all costs. Some of my recent long haul flights have been on American and United and I thought they were fine. Sure some Asian carriers are better, but some are worse. Even for a given carrier, the experience can vary depending on the aircraft and seat type.

The check-in experience is the same for me either way as I always have a domestic leg from my home airport to the departure airport for my international flight. At my international departure airport, I’ll usually use the same lounge within a given airline alliance whether on a US or Asian carrier. Food, service and IFE aren’t as important to me as the seat and cabin comfort. I prefer a B787 or A350 if given a choice for their more comfortable cabin pressure and humidity levels.

I always say give me a lie-flat seat with direct-aisle access and lounge access and the rest is gravy. If using points, beggars can’t be choosers, and I go with what’s available. When buying, a significant cost difference or flight/connection times might drive my decision. Food and service is better on some Asian carriers. On the other hand, US carriers keep their cabins at a temperature more conducive to sleeping and that’s important to me. Some Asian carriers keep their cabins far too warm for me.

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Posted
On 21/10/2024 at 16:42, particle said:

It's down to opportunity cost.

What else could you do with the money?

I can think of better ways to spend 3K than sitting a bit more comfortably (or even lying) for a few hours.

It's far more than a few hours, from the US, round trip, it's like 2 whole days...

But, while it's their best attempt at luxury, and certainly better than economy, it's still on the same @#$% plane.

 

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Posted
17 hours ago, Luv2Phuket said:

be sure to find a mileage program that is connected to whoever you are flying so you get credit for that flight.

Many of those programs, even if the number of flight you'd need to get one free doesn't make sense, the number of miles on just one trip can put you close to there first "step" in their loyalty program... (i.e. Delta's skymiles "silver"?), which starts to have at least a few benefits like free luggage and early boarding on other trips, maybe the ability to reserve exit rows, etc.

Cause Detroit to Thailand is A LOT of miles. Think like half dozen (or more) flights to Dallas.... And I think all of them give you like 2x miles if it's business class.

If you do manage 2 or 3 trips a year you might start hitting high enough to get lounge passes and maybe free upgrades on seats.

It's only an extra 5/10 minutes to make sure you're signed up.

6 hours ago, bgtp said:

I’m of a different opinion than those who say avoid US carriers at all costs. Some of my recent long haul flights have been on American and United and I thought they were fine. Sure some Asian carriers are better, but some are worse. Even for a given carrier, the experience can vary depending on the aircraft and seat type.

If you are going to be spending that much money and spending this much time investigating if it's worth it...

Go on youtube and flyertalk and some other travel (not tourism) sites to get information on specific airlines. Cause, ya, just cause they are Asian doesn't just make then better by default. China air, for instance, I'll never fly again. Asiana air, I've never flown on, but there safety record is kinda spotty. Anything from mainland China I'd be skeptical...

Posted
On 21/10/2024 at 19:42, particle said:

It's down to opportunity cost.

What else could you do with the money?

I can think of better ways to spend 3K than sitting a bit more comfortably (or even lying) for a few hours.

Seems many play the airline miles game …

Some travel on the company dime …

Some still have more than enough to spend on fun even after paying for business class out of pocket …

And as another poster noted, it’s far more than a few hours from the US.  ATL to ICN can be 15 hrs with a bit of a headwind.  

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Posted
2 hours ago, little_me said:

Many of those programs, even if the number of flight you'd need to get one free doesn't make sense, the number of miles on just one trip can put you close to there first "step" in their loyalty program... (i.e. Delta's skymiles "silver"?), which starts to have at least a few benefits like free luggage and early boarding on other trips, maybe the ability to reserve exit rows, etc.

Cause Detroit to Thailand is A LOT of miles. Think like half dozen (or more) flights to Dallas.... And I think all of them give you like 2x miles if it's business class.

If you do manage 2 or 3 trips a year you might start hitting high enough to get lounge passes and maybe free upgrades on seats.

It's only an extra 5/10 minutes to make sure you're signed up.

If you are going to be spending that much money and spending this much time investigating if it's worth it...

Go on youtube and flyertalk and some other travel (not tourism) sites to get information on specific airlines. Cause, ya, just cause they are Asian doesn't just make then better by default. China air, for instance, I'll never fly again. Asiana air, I've never flown on, but there safety record is kinda spotty. Anything from mainland China I'd be skeptical...

I also think china air is overrated. haven't tried the other taiwanese airlines like starlux or eva, but I suspect they might be overhyped. I was impressed with recent flights on cathay. qatar and ana and jal still much better. want to try turkish, but the seats look weak. all the prices from the us are similar if you can be flexible and book ahead. 

getting a good point redeption is a huge pain unless you are retired/totally flexible. i am hoarding millions of points. not sure what to do about it becuase i know it's a depreciating asset.

one place I've found good deals is amex iap. $1k less sometimes. 

Posted
47 minutes ago, Speakbottle said:

I also think china air is overrated. haven't tried the other taiwanese airlines like starlux or eva, but I suspect they might be overhyped. I was impressed with recent flights on cathay. qatar and ana and jal still much better. want to try turkish, but the seats look weak. all the prices from the us are similar if you can be flexible and book ahead. 

getting a good point redeption is a huge pain unless you are retired/totally flexible. i am hoarding millions of points. not sure what to do about it becuase i know it's a depreciating asset.

one place I've found good deals is amex iap. $1k less sometimes. 


I was pretty impressed when I flew China Air (NOT to be confused with Air China, the Beijing-based Star Alliance carrier that I won't go near!).  I thought the little lamp by the seat was a nice touch.

I love EVA, and I was very happy with my Starlux flight.

I booked Chin Air using Air France miles -- for a while they were showing good availability, but it appears to have dried up the last few months.

Posted
2 hours ago, Luv2Phuket said:


I was pretty impressed when I flew China Air (NOT to be confused with Air China, the Beijing-based Star Alliance carrier that I won't go near!).  I thought the little lamp by the seat was a nice touch.

I love EVA, and I was very happy with my Starlux flight.

I booked Chin Air using Air France miles -- for a while they were showing good availability, but it appears to have dried up the last few months.

Yeah my experience was very weak on a china air (never flown air china and never will) flight out of SFO on a very beat up 777 earlier this year. Seat was old, soso comfort, not private. Food was not good. Plane from Taipei to BKK was an antique. Taipei airport and lounges pale in comparison to doha, haneda, hong kong, etc. Overall comparable to what I would expect on a US carrier business class. I have seen good reviews so maybe just bad luck with older aircraft, not great catering out of SF. Not sure. But was weak enough that I will not be trying it again. 

Posted
7 minutes ago, Speakbottle said:

Yeah my experience was very weak on a china air (never flown air china and never will) flight out of SFO on a very beat up 777 earlier this year. Seat was old, soso comfort, not private. Food was not good. Plane from Taipei to BKK was an antique. Taipei airport and lounges pale in comparison to doha, haneda, hong kong, etc. Overall comparable to what I would expect on a US carrier business class. I have seen good reviews so maybe just bad luck with older aircraft, not great catering out of SF. Not sure. But was weak enough that I will not be trying it again. 

I flew them SFO-TPE-BKK

While my flight was fine, the lounge at SFO was HORRENDOUS -- one of the worst I have experienced.  I think it might have been temporary due to construction on the "real" one.

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Posted
Just now, Luv2Phuket said:

I flew them SFO-TPE-BKK

While my flight was fine, the lounge at SFO was HORRENDOUS -- one of the worst I have experienced.

Yeah I did the same. Bad terminal too at sfo and tpe. I went back bkk-doh-jfk. night and day although not really fair to compare any airport/lounge to doh. that little qatar lounge at bkk is fantastic too.

Posted
7 hours ago, Luv2Phuket said:

I flew them SFO-TPE-BKK

While my flight was fine, the lounge at SFO was HORRENDOUS -- one of the worst I have experienced.  I think it might have been temporary due to construction on the "real" one.

The worst lounge at SFO that I have been to is the Golden Gate lounge in the international terminal in the A gates. It seemed more like a crowded employee lunchroom than a lounge atmosphere!

:Oops1:

My girl is "different". A different one everyday.

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