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Inter-Thailand Flights   Bangkok Airways (PG)

PG flights are bookable on points through JAL, CX, EY and AB.

JAL
Required Mileage: Transferable from SPG. JAL uses a distance based award chart and allows up to a maximum of 7 stopovers (8 segments). To figure out how many points you will need, add up the total amount of miles that will be flown (can do this on GCMap.com) and then find the appropriate row in the award chart (http://www.ar.jal.com/ar/en/jalmile/use/partner_air/p_jmb/jmb_mile_ar.html). If you are traveling before 3/31/2017 there is a promotion for trips up to 4,000 miles (see http://www.jal.co.jp/121campaign/pg_discount/index_en.html for reduced mileage rates). The promotion makes JAL the best award redemption option for PG flights. 

Booking the Flight: The only way to find out if there is availability on the flight that you want is to call JAL. Recommended that you do so before transferring points. JAL doesn't allow you to hold a reservation so you have to hope that the flight doesn't get booked up while you're waiting for the point transfer to go through. Once the points post to your JAL account, call JAL back to book.
+1 800-525-3663 (5:00 - 18:00 PT) press 1 - 4 - JAL membership number - # - pin - # - 0 (for human or 1 for computer search)

Traveling with Infant: Tell JAL that you are flying with a lap child. They will put the infant on the reservation, but they will also tell you that you need to call PG directly to get the infant's ticket issued and pay for any taxes etc. JAL will only charge you for the adults on the reservation. Unless you speak Thai, calling PG won't work (when you press 9 for English when calling any of the Asian offices, the message will tell you to go to their website, and the office in Germany can't issue tickets). To add the infant, send an email to reservation@bangkokair.com with your confirmation number and tell them you want to have the lap infant's ticket issued. They will email you back with the price (data point: it was ~$96USD for CNX-USM-HKG for me) and ask you to reply with your cc info split into two separate emails for security (one email with first 8 digits, exp. and name on card, second email with last 8 digits, cvv, and billing address). I believe they only take Visa or MC. You'll then get an email back with confirmation.

Baggage Allowance: Economy passengers are allowed 20kg, infants (and dolls) are allowed 10kg. Excess weight on domestic flights will incur a charge of 80thb ($2.25ish) per kilo. International overage fee chart can be found here. Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg.

Contacting PG: In general, if you have any questions, the only way to speak with them in English besides email is PG Live Chat. You can find the link if you log in to your Flyer Bonus account. Chat reps are very helpful.

IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE TO PAY (JAL AND PG) WITH A CC BELONGING TO SOMEONE THAT IS TRAVELING ON THE ITINERARY. PG WILL SOMETIMES ASK YOU TO SHOW THE CC USED TO PAY FOR THE TRIP WHEN YOU CHECK IN, AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY BOARDING IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

CX
Required Mileage:

EY
Required Mileage:

AB
Required Mileage:



Bangkok   BKK/DMK

Hotels                                              Activities                                          Chabad                                                                Additional Info
Viengtai Hotel (Ohr Menachem)
Davis Hotel (Beth Elisheva)
Shangr-La (Even Chen)
Sheraton Resort (Hua Hin)
Riva Surya
Kao Sahn Rd
Night Markets (near stadium)
Shopping Malls
Grand Palace
Kanchanaburi (2 hrs away)
Floating Markets
Beth Elisheva (Financial & Shopping district)
Even Chen
Ohr Menachem (Kao Sahn Rd)
ALWAYS use meter in taxis and
   try to say destination in Thai - if you
   need help with numbers as Cbs ;)
(Free) sim in airport at kiosks -(true move(h- sim), dtac
   (happy(micro) sim for iPhone)
Songkran (water fight week)- April 13th!
Kosherthailand.com
BKK Luggage Lockers - 100 baht/day/bag (~$3)
Public Transport
Domestic flights:
   Air Asia, Tiger Air, Thai, Bangkok Air
Tailor:
   Rajawongse




Phuket/Patong/Koh Phi Phi/Krabi   HKT/KBV

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Westin
JW Marriott
Sala Resort
Sheraton Krabi
The Pavilions
Holiday Inn Koh Phi Phi
Ritz Carlton Reserve
places w/ private pools
Beaches
Monkey Show
Cable Skiing
Longtail Boats
Island Tour
Koh Phi Phi:
Diving
Fire Show (wed is biggest)
Maya Bay (full day trip)
Nice Lookouts
Kayaking (to Monkey Beach)
Thai Boxing
Beware of summer weather; monsoon season
Best weather: Jan - May
Island Tour (can be done as a day trip or overnight):
   Andaman River, Maya Bay, Similian Islands, Krabi Islands,
   Koh Lanta (Emerald Cave)




Koh Samui   USM

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                          Additional Info
The Conrad
Sunday Resort
Sheraton
Le Meridian
The W
Le Murrya (Near Chabad)
Fx Hotel (Near Chabad)
Beaches
Diving (Koa Phangan, Koh Tao)
Ang Thong Marine Park Islands
Water Sports (at chaweng and boh phut),
Safari Island (elephants, tigers, zip line)
Scooter (around island)
Kayaking $30
Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan Island trip w/ snorkeling
The Conrad will gladly make arrangements with
   the Chabad restaurant for Kosher food. Email them at usmks.fb@conradhotels.com




Chiang Mai   CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien (10 min. Walk to Chabad)
Shangri La (2 min. Walk to Chabad)
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Sukantara Cascade Resort
Maese Elephant Show
Maetaeng Elephant Park
Patara Elephant Farm
Thai Elephant Home
Thoms Pai Elephant Camp
Bamboo Rafting
Tiger Kingdom
Monkey Shows
Snake Shows
Crocodile Shows
Zip Lining
Trekking
White Water Rafting
Longneck Tribe
Gun Shooting
Night Safari
Temples/Palaces
Chiang Mai River Boat (To Cooking School)
Extreme Sports!
Repelling
Caving,
ATVing
Bungee
Segways
Rent motorbikes (5$ day)
3D museum right down the road from Chabad
   (if you have an hour or two to kill)
Sunday Market (ratchadamonoen  Rd, old city)
Night Market (Changklan Rd, near Chabad & Le Meridien)
Sat Night Market (Wua Lai)
Tiger Kingdom is best in morning
Use ישראל 669  as travel agent for trips
   (next door to Chabad)
Recommended Zip Line: Flight of Gibbon or Flying Squirrel,
   can be reserved through Yackov (המרכז המטייל)
   for best price.
When reserving tours, ask for a discount due to
   using your own transportation
Tailors:
   CM Tailors
His and Hers- 3 minute walk from LM on the way to chabbad.




Chiang Rai   CEI/4hr drive from CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien
Four Seasons Tent Camp Golden Triangle
Black House
Queens Residence
Night market
Day trip to Burma/Myanmar
Waterfalls
White Temple
Ruaamit elephant camp
Pai village (3 hr drive)
Hot Springs
Scooters
Golden Triangle

« Last edited by CR on July 26, 2020, 11:38:14 AM »

Author Topic: Thailand Master Thread  (Read 769315 times)

Offline chuchem

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1440 on: August 21, 2013, 12:06:43 PM »
So I'm scheduled to land in BKK from IST at 9:45 am on a Monday in J class.

I need to book a separate ticket to KBV.
My choices are as follows.
Thai Airlines:
11:10 am departure
1:15 pm

Bangkok Air:
1:20 pm

The Bangkok Air option would save me around a total of $70 for the 5 tix I need, but wouldn't accrue miles. And they have a 'lounge' to use for all passengers I believe.
But they don't appear to have an interline agreement with Turkish Airlines, so I'd have to pick up the bags and go through security again.

So my questions are as follows.
1) I think I should go w/ Thai despite their higher fare. Agree?
2) Will I be able to use a biz lounge even though the BKK-KBV leg in economy is on a different pnr than my IST-TLV leg?
3) Should I try for the 11:10 flight which would give me 85 minutes of a layover (w/o having to pick up bags), or is that too short? If I miss it, would Thai move me to the next flight?



Take the Thai flight
Thai will not let you in with a turkish arrival ticket. Maybe with a Thai arrival you could have tried.
its not to short if TK can check luggage through, but you might have to take it out to clear customs... not sure...
Dont worry so much about a cheap domestic lounge, take a short connection... afraid to miss the free coke?


Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1441 on: August 21, 2013, 12:08:05 PM »
Anyone have any insight on flying from DMK?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1442 on: August 21, 2013, 12:14:54 PM »
Take the Thai flight
Thai will not let you in with a turkish arrival ticket. Maybe with a Thai arrival you could have tried.
its not to short if TK can check luggage through, but you might have to take it out to clear customs... not sure...
Dont worry so much about a cheap domestic lounge, take a short connection... afraid to miss the free coke?
I'm more concerned about missing free beer.

How can I find out if I have to take bags through customs or not?

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1443 on: August 21, 2013, 12:28:14 PM »
Gents, is the Monsoon season that bad in Thailand? worth going in September?

Also, I noticed that Thai AirAsia has $20 tickets between BKK, HKT, CNX & USM - they legit? heavy surcharges? hidden fees?

Also, if I had to choose just 4 out of the following....what would it be?

Phuket
Ko Phi Phi
Ko Samui
Krabi
Chiang Mai
Pattaya
If not for Kosher food I would skip Koh Samui altogether and head out  to Koh Tao/Nangyuan islands which are really cool.

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1444 on: August 21, 2013, 12:33:43 PM »
If not for Kosher food I would skip Koh Samui altogether and head out  to Koh Tao/Nangyuan islands which are really cool.
That's funny. I feel the only thing i might've missed was Somui
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Offline mochada

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1445 on: August 21, 2013, 12:48:39 PM »
That's funny. I feel the only thing i might've missed was Somui

There's always round #2   ;)

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1446 on: August 21, 2013, 01:10:34 PM »
There's always round #2   ;)
thats what next summer is for :) and maldives iyh
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Offline mochada

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1447 on: August 21, 2013, 01:13:00 PM »
thats what next summer is for :) and maldives iyh

tack on SIN...make it complete!

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1448 on: August 21, 2013, 01:26:55 PM »
That's funny. I feel the only thing i might've missed was Somui
Did you visit Koh Tao/Nangyuan?

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1449 on: August 21, 2013, 01:42:17 PM »
That's funny. I feel the only thing i might've missed was Somui
Samui is nothing special though people like the Conrad.
The other islands looks far more intriguing.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1450 on: August 21, 2013, 01:45:31 PM »
Samui is nothing special though people like the Conrad.
The other islands looks far more intriguing.
ok, good. im starting now :D

so skip KS, what other islands?

@dangster i have not been there

@jagstanx i would rather do china or japan
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Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1451 on: August 21, 2013, 02:05:07 PM »
Samui is nothing special though people like the Conrad.
The other islands looks far more intriguing.
Samui isn't anything special, but again there are some beautiful islands surrounding it like Koh Tao/Nangyuan.
The Conrad is really an exceptional hotel and an experience in itself.

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1452 on: August 21, 2013, 02:37:50 PM »
That's funny. I feel the only thing i might've missed was Somui
Samui isn't anything special
that brings us back to the age old q of phuket/krabi vs samui

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1453 on: August 21, 2013, 02:53:23 PM »
Has anyone successfully used flying blue to book a bangkok air flight? How many miles were required for the flight you booked?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1454 on: August 21, 2013, 03:01:15 PM »
If not for Kosher food I would skip Koh Samui altogether and head out  to Koh Tao/Nangyuan islands which are really cool.
Thanks, It seems Koh Samui has the Monsoons a different time of year than the other coast. It's nicer in september
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Offline andrew

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1455 on: August 23, 2013, 07:21:14 AM »
Has anyone successfully used flying blue to book a bangkok air flight? How many miles were required for the flight you booked?
I did, it could be done one way a well. i used it to book USM- hkg which is international so i do't know the domestic redemptions , it was a easy process, just youll need to wait on hold til they figure out taxes

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1456 on: August 23, 2013, 07:26:05 AM »
Samui is nothing special though people like the Conrad.
The other islands looks far more intriguing.
Your forgetting ang thong national marine park and the fact that samui is not effected by monsoon season during these months, beaches are calm unlike the big waves and undercurrents that are by the other islands which make it dangerous to go into the beach.

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1457 on: August 23, 2013, 09:20:31 AM »
I did, it could be done one way a well. i used it to book USM- hkg which is international so i do't know the domestic redemptions , it was a easy process, just youll need to wait on hold til they figure out taxes

How many miles did it cost you? YQ?

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1458 on: August 23, 2013, 01:00:57 PM »
Your forgetting ang thong national marine park and the fact that samui is not affected by monsoon season during these months, beaches are calm unlike the big waves and undercurrents that are by the other islands which make it dangerous to go into the beach.
Yes, you're right.

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״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים