US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

[wafliron]

My SYD - BKK, MUC - BKK and BKK - SYD are all on the new F suites.

I wasn't aware SYD-BKK and vv are getting the new config... do you (or anyone else) know when this starts?

 

[NDiddy]

I wasn't aware SYD-BKK and vv are getting the new config... do you (or anyone else) know when this starts?

Not sure mate but flying in December and a couple of things happened:

1) The online seat map changed from 10 to 9 which got me thinking so I made a note to call Thai up but before I could...
2) Thai rang me up to readjust my seat allocation as 2E/F didn't exist any more and on the call they confirmed that it's the new F suite. However I don't fully believe I will actually be on this given the issues on getting these craft up and running to FRA as reported in FT but am still hopeful

 

[wafliron]

Not sure mate but flying in December and a couple of things happened:

1) The online seat map changed from 10 to 9 which got me thinking so I made a note to call Thai up but before I could...
2) Thai rang me up to readjust my seat allocation as 2E/F didn't exist any more and on the call they confirmed that it's the new F suite. However I don't fully believe I will actually be on this given the issues on getting these craft up and running to FRA as reported in FT but am still hopeful

Lucky you I hope it doesn't change again on you - assuming it doesn't I'd love to hear a TR on the new F cabin!

I'm still holding out hope - albeit very slim - that TG might decide to use the single reconfigured aircraft on SYD-BKK this Thursday

 

[NDiddy]

Lucky you I hope it doesn't change again on you - assuming it doesn't I'd love to hear a TR on the new F cabin!

I'm still holding out hope - albeit very slim - that TG might decide to use the single reconfigured aircraft on SYD-BKK this Thursday

Will def post a TR

Hope the new config arrives for you but the old F isn't too bad from what Ive read and seen. Oneworldplus2 just recently completed his trip on the old F so would be worth getting in touch with him to see what his experience is like.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Oneworldplus2 just recently completed his trip on the old F so would be worth getting in touch with him to see what his experience is like.

Among others. l think that Alanslegal + MEL_Traveller have done a fair few TG/OZ F Trips.
Having said that, TG F is still a great way to fly and BKK grounds services are outstanding.

 

[hummel]

Among others. l think that Alanslegal + MEL_Traveller have done a fair few TG/OZ F Trips.
Having said that, TG F is still a great way to fly and BKK grounds services are outstanding.

+1 I would happily fly TG F again... currently coming out of the 'post-holiday' depression so will be doing a trip report soon

 

[casanovawa]

Can anyone recommend either Thai's A330 out of PER to BKK over Singapore's 772 PER-SIN-SGN? I want to get to Ho Chi Minh and the two options are either via BKK with Thai or via SIN with SIA. The A330 looks like a glorified recliner at 131 degrees on the website pics! The Singapore 772 looks like it has an angled bed much closer to flat than the Thai product, but the flight times aren't as good. Can anyone comment on these two craft?

Haven't flown SIA's 772, so can't comment about that, but I found the TG A330 not too bad when i flew up and back down PER-BKK in May/June... It wasn't fully flat or horizontal to the deck obviously, but as it was my first J flight i was happy with it (much better than the back of the plane i was accustomed to), and it was only 6-7 hours and I was more interested in being awake and enjoying the whole experience (4 course meal etc) than sleeping anyway...

Might have to try SIA next time for comparisons, but i found the only flights they offered J on from Perth were very inconvenient!!!!

 

[bcworld]

I'm travelling on the A330 (newer model) BKK-PVG next month...will try and remember and take some pics. I reckon for a day flight it will be absolutely fine though.

 

[wafliron]

Will def post a TR

Great, thanks. I've got a SYD-BKK and a BKK-SYD on TG F scheduled for May/June next year... current seatmap is old F cabin but it sounds like we should get the new one by then.

Hope the new config arrives for you but the old F isn't too bad from what Ive read and seen. Oneworldplus2 just recently completed his trip on the old F so would be worth getting in touch with him to see what his experience is like.

Enjoy the trip!

Among others. l think that Alanslegal + MEL_Traveller have done a fair few TG/OZ F Trips.
Having said that, TG F is still a great way to fly and BKK grounds services are outstanding.

+1 I would happily fly TG F again... currently coming out of the 'post-holiday' depression so will be doing a trip report soon

Thanks... I may be wishing for the new config but I'm sure I'll enjoy the old one... this is only my second time ever in F. Connecting from SYD-BKK to BKK-CDG which has the TG 777 suites too. Have an 8-hour layover in BKK in between and very much looking forward to the ground services / F lounge and spa

 

[Alanslegal]

Quick q - If travelling as a couple would you chose 1A/K (given how relatively close they are up the front) or go for the 3E/F?

Personally, travelling as a couple I'd take the 3E/F. I find it fun watching each other's meals and sharing a drink together, and then the remaining 80% of flight time, I can still do my own thing. 1A and K although close, really isn't close enough in my experience.

Thanks... I may be wishing for the new config but I'm sure I'll enjoy the old one... this is only my second time ever in F. Connecting from SYD-BKK to BKK-CDG which has the TG 777 suites too. Have an 8-hour layover in BKK in between and very much looking forward to the ground services / F lounge and spa

I agree, long haul F is long haul F which will be nice either way. Sure it is slightly nicer if one flies in a new cabin but old F is still comfortable, flat beds, same service onboard, same onground services. Once the drinks come out, once the meals are being served, and once you keep yourself entertained, the last thing you will be thinking about is "This is old F, I wish this was new F".

 

[NDiddy]

Personally, travelling as a couple I'd take the 3E/F. I find it fun watching each other's meals and sharing a drink together, and then the remaining 80% of flight time, I can still do my own thing. 1A and K although close, really isn't close enough in my experience.

Thanks Alan - Will leave it as 3E/F.

 

[thehound]

I went to lock in my first redemption last night after finding the availability I wanted on ANA, but unfortunately it didn't go perfectly. I managed to get PER-BKK-SGN next Feb, and I wanted to come home from SGN with a stopover in SIN. I can get the SIN-PER flight, but unfortunately even though ANA was showing availability on an SQ flight from SGN-SIN, US couldn't see it. So the best option seems to be SGN-BKK-SIN, which almost triples the travel time (5.50 vs 2 hours direct).

I know it's not a massive deal, especially since all the longer flights have availability (PER-BKK and SIN-PER), so would people suggest just ticketing this and then periodically checking to see if SGN-SIN direct opens up and then changing?

Once concern is that I was going to Con Dao in Vietnam and flying back to SGN the day I was onward travelling to SIN - now having to take the TG flights to BKK the connection time is tight (1.40, and I think at SGN they have separate domestic and international terminals). Anyone with experience with this changeover in Ho Chi Minh?

For my first time I was disappointed it didn't play out perfectly! But I guess that's the roll of the dice with this program.

 

[bcworld]

even though ANA was showing availability on an SQ flight from SGN-SIN, US couldn't see it. So the best option seems to be SGN-BKK-SIN, which almost triples the travel time (5.50 vs 2 hours direct).

How many agents did you try?

 

[casanovawa]

Yes, there is always the trick of trying another agent... And its the roll of the dice and lack of choice that comes with any program when redeeming awards as opposed to buying outright... And if you book this ticket and then ask to change later it will probably cost you was $150 or $250, is it worth it to you???

Can't help with transfer times at SGN as only flown into and out of internationally..

The other option if it would put your mind at rest more is to try for just a Y seat on the SGN-SIN leg?? Its only 2 hours so not really sure what type of J experience you would get anyway from it??? Or do SIA have Y+??

If worse comes to worse i wonder if you might be lucky enough to squeeze a massage in at BKK on the way home...

 

[thehound]

I only tried the one agent, so that is certainly an option. Having searched again I can see availability on ANA, but not on Aeroplan, so maybe it really isn't there. I think the agent also said there was no economy - I'd certainly take Y for only a two hour flight. I'm happy with the convenience factor there. Plus I would pay the $150 change fee for 4 hours of my time.

I'll have another crack tonight and maybe someone new will see something different!

 

[thehound]

I just checked availability again and today I can see the flight I want from SGN-SIN available on both ANA and Aeroplan (couldn't see it on Aeroplan yesterday). So hopefully an agent can see it tonight

 

[bcworld]

Or do SIA have Y+??

No Y+.

I can see availability on ANA, but not on Aeroplan, so maybe it really isn't there.

That sounds odd...as typically it's the other sites (Aeroplan, UA, Awardtravlr) that show false positives. As you say, if AC and ANA now match up then perhaps just a synch issue which will also now be reflected in the US system...good luck for later!

 

[ozstamps]

US air often seem to have this 100% bonus deal. Is it back on again from all these posts?

 

[lmere12]

US air often seem to have this 100% bonus deal. Is it back on again from all these posts?

a targeted offer for this month

 

[thehound]

That sounds odd...as typically it's the other sites (Aeroplan, UA, Awardtravlr) that show false positives. As you say, if AC and ANA now match up then perhaps just a synch issue which will also now be reflected in the US system...good luck for later!

It was a little odd, but when I called back last night the agent could see the direct SGN-SIN flight, so all booked and ticketed now. It was a little frustrating that Skype dropped out halfway through the ticketing process though!

Since it's my first redemption, I just wanted to check I've got all the details I need. I've got the US, TG and SQ booking references, as well as the ticket number starting with 037. Do I need to call up the individual airlines to confirm, or is this enough? I can find all bookings on the Thai and Singapore websites too. Many thanks!