US Dividend Miles - post your SUCCESSFUL award bookings here.

[Fifa]

Great itinerary Blackswan!

 

[Alanslegal]

Great work. Those LHR APD is a killer isn't it! Pity she won't get to try TG's A380 First which was absolutely brilliant a few weeks ago.

That LON APD sure is a killer for long haul - premium cabins!!

Unlucky for her not to get any A380 but she just wanted to get to ZRH and out of LON back as fast as she could. However good new for me, I get to fly a TG 380 in about five weeks time and I am really looking forward to it. I have flown F on the 380s on QF and KE, so now I get to give TG a go. Can't wait!!

 

[hossein_au]

Been on this site for only a short while... it's definitely been a steep learning curve but I've enjoyed every second of it

Anyway, just booked my first flight (thanks in no small part to the friendly old-timers such as Alanslegal, et al). Here's the itinerary:
F/747/TG/SYD-BKK (>24Hrs stop over in BKK)
F/346/TG/BKK-ZRH (all day in Zurich)
J/321/LX/ZRH-HAM (HAM is the destination)

J/319/SN/HAM-BRU
J/EQV/SN/BRU-CDG
F/380/TG/CDG-BKK (all day in BKK)
F/747/TG/BKK-SYD

Key: Cabin/aircraft/carrier/origin-destination

150,000 USDM points plus US$333.40 (=US$283.40+US$50)

The only problem? It is months away and I cannot wait!

Thanks heaps to everyone. The next mission is to requal for QF WP, which won't happen unless I do an ASA run (but understandably people are hesitant to share their AA itineraries).

 

[65ravenblack]

Booked this flight back in Feb(? I think) for travel to Europe (fly out 2 Sep) all in Business with Thai.

SYD-BKK TG472 (744)
BKK-BRU TG934 (773)
BRU-BHX SN2045 (ARJ100)

CDG-BKK TG931 (388)
BKK-SYD TG471 (744)

We've just been hit with the good ol' Thai lottery. Our outbound SYD-BKK (15:55pm) flight has been cancelled and we are now booked on the 10:00 service. I was waiting as late as possible to book our Qantas flight from CBR-SYD so as not to have to change these in case of this exact scenario. The cancellation happened the day after I booked our Qantas flights :shock:. Oh well, looks like we'll be getting up at sparrow's......bit of a pain but can't really do much about it.

Anyway, we now have an 8 hour layover in BKK (arrive at 16:20 and leave at 00:30). Are we able to go into the city to do something or do we have to stay in the airport for the whole layover? Do we even have enough time to go into the city if we are able? If we can, any suggestions for good restaurants?

Cheers,
Aaron

 

[bcworld]

Anyway, we now have an 8 hour layover in BKK (arrive at 16:20 and leave at 00:30). Are we able to go into the city to do something or do we have to stay in the airport for the whole layover? Do we even have enough time to go into the city if we are able? If we can, any suggestions for good restaurants?

You certainly have time to go into the city...and you can if you wish. I would get the train rather than spending half of that time sitting in Bangkok traffic.

Upon returning to go back air-side you might find you are asked to go off and pay the 700B departure tax as this will not have been collected when you paid for your ticket.

 

[Alanslegal]

You certainly have time to go into the city...and you can if you wish. I would get the train rather than spending half of that time sitting in Bangkok traffic.

Upon returning to go back air-side you might find you are asked to go off and pay the 700B departure tax as this will not have been collected when you paid for your ticket.

There are clear signs at Immigration saying that if you are transiting pax and exiting you will incur the 700BHT departure tax, however upon return you may or may not be asked to pay for it. Just anticipate paying it and if you don't, its a win.

With the 8 hour layover, catch the Airport Express train into town. Go all the way into Phaya Thai station, where you can connect to generally anywhere in Bangkok.

On the return, just catch a taxi back to the aiport. Leave town around 9pm, it should take 30 minutes or so as traffic would have subsided by then.

 

[hummel]

Just booked one of the more simple itineraries for my father leaving Saturday.

MEL-SIN-CAN-BKK-MEL

SQ/TG J

90.000 points + $232.02 in taxes/fees.

All done in 10 minutes.

 

[burmans]

You certainly have time to go into the city...and you can if you wish. I would get the train rather than spending half of that time sitting in Bangkok traffic.

Upon returning to go back air-side you might find you are asked to go off and pay the 700B departure tax as this will not have been collected when you paid for your ticket.

We just had two stopovers in Bangkok, one of only 8 hours but plenty time to go to the city. While I agree train is usually faster on a weekend and particularly a Sunday taxi is just as fast, possibly faster.
As far as the 700 baht fee, we did not get charged once but it probably helps to already have your boarding passes. Clearly some get charged but it is by no means consistent!

 

[anat0l]

Just booked one of the more simple itineraries for my father leaving Saturday.

MEL-SIN-CAN-BKK-MEL

SQ/TG J

90.000 points + $232.02 in taxes/fees.

All done in 10 minutes.

Seems wee bit high in the ancillaries.

Apart from ~$50 for Australian PMC, who's piling on the rest?

Or, does that include the $75 booking fee and a fast ticketing fee? That would make sense, then...

 

[wafliron]

My USDM trip starting this Friday has also fallen victim to the Thai lottery - my original am (8am?) BKK-SYD on the way home no longer exists, and Thai have put me on the 7.20pm instead. No notification - glad I re-checked my itinerary!

Anyway, this also leaves me with a good chunk of time in BKK and I will also head into the city. If I decide to trade less city time for more F lounge time, does anyone know how long before a flight TG will let a F pax check-in?

 

[burmans]

My USDM trip starting this Friday has also fallen victim to the Thai lottery - my original am (8am?) BKK-SYD on the way home no longer exists, and Thai have put me on the 7.20pm instead. No notification - glad I re-checked my itinerary!

Anyway, this also leaves me with a good chunk of time in BKK and I will also head into the city. If I decide to trade less city time for more F lounge time, does anyone know how long before a flight TG will let a F pax check-in?

Well on my 8 houur layover they were happy for me to go straight to the lounge so a fair time ahead I'd suggest.

 

[wafliron]

Well on my 8 houur layover they were happy for me to go straight to the lounge so a fair time ahead I'd suggest.

Were you through-checked / already had your BPs for the next segment though? I wasn't clear enough in my OP - I actually arrive the night before (a ~20 hour layover with the changed flight), so I assume I'll clear customers, collect luggage, and need to check in separately for the final flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My USDM trip starting this Friday has also fallen victim to the Thai lottery - my original am (8am?) BKK-SYD on the way home no longer exists, and Thai have put me on the 7.20pm instead. No notification - glad I re-checked my itinerary!

Anyway, this also leaves me with a good chunk of time in BKK and I will also head into the city. If I decide to trade less city time for more F lounge time, does anyone know how long before a flight TG will let a F pax check-in?

I think pretty much any time same day... friends checked in just after 12 for the late syd flight last month.

 

[wafliron]

I think pretty much any time same day... friends checked in just after 12 for the late syd flight last month.

Thanks, appreciate it. Good to know I have the option if I decide I want more lounge time.

While I'm at it, one further question: is LH F completely unbookable via USDM, even inventory released close to travel date which is bookable via LifeMiles, SQ, etc? I'm 99% sure the answer if "yes, completely unbookable via USDM", but thought I'd double check given BKK-FRA F on LH has just become available via the aforementioned programs on my travel date...

 

[NDiddy]

My USDM trip starting this Friday has also fallen victim to the Thai lottery - my original am (8am?) BKK-SYD on the way home no longer exists, and Thai have put me on the 7.20pm instead. No notification - glad I re-checked my itinerary!

Anyway, this also leaves me with a good chunk of time in BKK and I will also head into the city. If I decide to trade less city time for more F lounge time, does anyone know how long before a flight TG will let a F pax check-in?

Shouldn't be any restrictions on the check in time if you use the First Class check in at Row A. I checked in about 5.5 hours before our flight and there was no issue. Plenty of time to have a nice lunch, champagne and a massage

 

[wafliron]

Shouldn't be any restrictions on the check in time if you use the First Class check in at Row A. I checked in about 5.5 hours before our flight and there was no issue. Plenty of time to have a nice lunch, champagne and a massage

Great, thanks for re-confirming.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, appreciate it. Good to know I have the option if I decide I want more lounge time.

While I'm at it, one further question: is LH F completely unbookable via USDM, even inventory released close to travel date which is bookable via LifeMiles, SQ, etc? I'm 99% sure the answer if "yes, completely unbookable via USDM", but thought I'd double check given BKK-FRA F on LH has just become available via the aforementioned programs on my travel date...

correct... even LH at 14 days is Nit available through USDM.

 

[tm.smile]

correct... even LH at 14 days is Nit available through USDM.

While it technically isn't allowed, some agents are still happy to manually sell it (as per Ben's experience -OneMileataTime)

 

[burmans]

Were you through-checked / already had your BPs for the next segment though? I wasn't clear enough in my OP - I actually arrive the night before (a ~20 hour layover with the changed flight), so I assume I'll clear customers, collect luggage, and need to check in separately for the final flight.

We did both, once overnight (and no BP), once for 8 hours with a BP (though in fgact they told me it would have to be re-issued). Not sure they'd let you stay overnight in the lounge of course so yes I think you'll need to clear customs and find a hotel.

 

[wafliron]

While it technically isn't allowed, some agents are still happy to manually sell it (as per Ben's experience -OneMileataTime)

Thanks for the info... hmm, might be worth a try for the chance to fly LH F. Would be giving up TG A380 F though... decisions, decisions.

Does anyone know:

1) If I fly SYD-BKK on TG F and then connect onto BKK-FRA on LH F, do I still get access to the TG F lounge? I assume yes as I'm flying F on a *A carrier, but thought it worth double checking

2) If I fly BKK-FRA on LH F and then FRA-CDG on LH J, do I get to use the F terminal? Car transfer to the FRA-CDG plane?

We did both, once overnight (and no BP), once for 8 hours with a BP (though in fgact they told me it would have to be re-issued). Not sure they'd let you stay overnight in the lounge of course so yes I think you'll need to clear customs and find a hotel.

Thanks for the info as well. I already have a hotel sorted - more about how early I can check in (and get F lounge access) for the 7.20pm flight the next day. Sounds like the answer is "early"